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Movie theater phone policy change draws ire

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June 18, 2026

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Typically, in most movie theaters, the use of a smartphone device isn't welcome. Most theaters run promo before a movie begins that requests phones be put away, on silent and not used during the movie watching experience.

But at one movie theater in Austin, Texas, phones can be used as the movie theater has deployed mobile ordering for food and drink during a movie and it's not going over well with most movie attendees.

The Alamo Drafthouse had had a strict no-phones policy, according to a New York Times report, and theater visitors would order food via paper orders and items would then be delivered to the customers.

Now food and drink orders are done by QR codes at every seat and phones are necessary to order an item.

The new order option is not going over well with many patrons outraged, according to the news outlet. The anger is driving social media protests and even a Change.org petition. Some have even written out protests on lavatory walls.

"Alamo Drafthouse is in a class of its own with a movie going experience that guests can't find anywhere else," CEO Michael Kustermann said in a statement, according to the Times. "We're continuing to invest in the future of Alamo, including our ordering process and digital experience to make sure Alamo remains a one-of-a-kind cinema experience well into the future."