A change is brewing at Alamo Drafthouse, one of the most beloved cinema chains in the US. The iconic theater chain is shaking things up, and fans have been left wondering what’s in store. In a move that has sparked both excitement and concern, Alamo Drafthouse is abandoning a traditional movie-going rule from next month.
Theater chain removes this old moviegoing rule
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is moving forward in 2026 by ditching a strict cinema etiquette guideline. The popular movie theater is flipping the script in February by finally allowing customers to use their phones, but there’s a catch.
According to Variety, the Texas-based chain is ditching its old-school pen-and-paper system for a mobile-only model. These new policies are designed to amplify convenience.
Alamo Drafthouse is rolling out a game-changer in February with its dark-screen digital ordering feature. Cinema buffs can browse the menu, order snacks before or during the film, and pay straight from their phone, without disturbing fellow audience members or flagging down staff.
The movie theater chain says the change will minimize interruptions, including servers dropping checks during key scenes. The company aims to elevate the movie-watching experience with faster service, fewer distractions, and more time to enjoy the flick.
Having said that, the chain clarified that it isn’t relaxing its strict no-phone policy. The ban on texting and social media remains the same. The staff can reportedly spot the difference between the dim ordering screen and disruptive phone use.
Fans, however, hold a different opinion and believe that the phone-ordering thing might turn cinemas into chaotic messes. “There’s no practical way in hell Alamo Drafthouse will be able to enforce this”, tweeted a customer. “So dumb considering their no phone policy was one of the best parts of the theater”, echoed another.
A former Alamo Drafthouse employee, TikToker @justinlovesmovies, has urged people to skip the mobile ordering system, warning it might kill tips for servers. The theater chain has refuted the speculations, saying that the shift comes with no job cuts attached. While the change might influence the hourly staff’s workflow, they’re keeping everyone on board, and base pay remains untouched.
