Going to the movie theater can be such a fun family activity. But the experience can be loud, scary, and overwhelming for children with special needs, autism, or who just generally do better in a sensory-friendly environment. Fortunately, there are a few movie theaters in Indianapolis that offer sensory-friendly movies and experiences for those who are otherwise overwhelmed by the movies.
This article is featured on Indy with Kids in partnership with Tendercare Home Health. For over 30 years, Tendercare has been helping medically complex children and their families thrive at home. Whether through paying family members to deliver care or connecting children with experienced pediatric nurses, Tendercare strives to enrich children’s lives at home in every way.
Sensory-friendly movies and experiences may limit capacity so it’s not too crowded. They may keep the lights on or only slightly dim the lights. They may lower the volume of the movie for sensitive ears. The best part about attending sensory-friendly movie screenings may be that because they’re labeled as sensory-friendly movies, you don’t have to worry about dirty looks or bothering people trying to watch a movie with no distractions. Everyone knows it is a special screening so parents can relax knowing that nobody there is expecting a silent show.
Sensory Friendly Movies | Special Screenings for Children with Special Needs
Central Indiana is fortunate to have several theaters and organizations that offer sensory-friendly movies and experiences. If you’ve been worried about bringing your child to the movies due to their special sensory needs, give one of these sensory-friendly movies or experiences a try. With lower volumes, brighter lighting, and limited capacity, your child might thrive and love going to the movies.
AMC Theaters
AMC Theaters has partnered with the Autism Society to present Sensory Friendly Movies on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. According to their website, they turn up the lights, turn down the sound, and encourage guests to get up dance, sing, or walk around. It’s a place where you can “feel free to be you!” In addition to the family-friendly Saturday showings, there are Sensory Friendly Movies for adults and mature audiences on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Click here to see a schedule and reserve tickets at an AMC Theater near you.
Emagine
Emagine in Noblesville offers a Sensory Friendly program that makes going to the movies more enjoyable and accessible for families, children, and teens with sensory needs. There are brighter house lights and lower volumes. Guests are welcome to move about, sing, play on their electronic devices, and bring in their favorite snacks from home. Emagine also offers Accessible Screenings and Open Caption showings. Accessibility devices, like assisted listening devices, personal open caption devices, and descriptive video devices for the visually impaired are available upon request.
Flix Brewhouse
The Flix Junior Program at Flix Brewhouse provides young families and those with sensitivities an opportunity to escape to the movies during a special screening where everyone is welcome. All ages are welcome (including infants), there is dim lighting and lower sound levels, and adaptive technology and interactive tools are permitted. I love Flix because the seats are so big and you are far apart from the seats in front or behind you, so you don’t have to worry about bothering those around you. Check the Flix website for Flix Junior showtimes.
Regal
My Way Matinee at Regal offers sensory-friendly movies where guests are free to move around and talk, the lights are turned up, and the volume is turned down. Showings are the first of the day on select Saturdays each month. In Cental Indiana, the Carmel, Noblesville, and Avon locations all participate. Check the Regal website for My Way Matinee upcoming showtimes.
Alamo Drafthouse
Alamo for All at Alamo Drafthouse is a movie program for young families and guests with special needs. All shows starting before 2 pm on Tuesdays follow Alamo for All rules. There are also select Alamo for All shows on the weekends. The sensory-friendly movies feature lights turned up, sound turned down, all ages welcome including infants, talking and noise are allowed, guests can move around, and adaptive technology is permitted. Learn more and find upcoming showtimes here.
Living Room Theaters
Every Thursday at 1 pm, enjoy sensory-friendly movies at the Living Room Theater in the Bottleworks District. The Sensory Friendly Screenings are designed to create an inclusive and comfortable environment for all individuals with sensory issues and sensitivities. Experience lowered volume levels and lights that remain on at a dimmed level. Sensory Friendly Screenings are for anyone who is looking for a more relaxed movie-going experience. Check the Living Room Theaters website for upcoming screenings.
Mooresville Showtime Cinema
Mooresville Showtime Cinema holds a “Sully’s Day” where certain showings are presented with the lights up and the sound lowered to accommodate those with Autism and sensory sensitivities. The 3D function is also eliminated for these shows. Because it’s geared toward special needs families, you probably won’t get the stink eye if your child needs to get up and move around. “Sully’s Day” will be announced on the Mooresville Showtime Cinema Facebook page and their recording line (317-834-9156).
Plan Ahead: Seating and Ordering
To further alleviate stress, at many of these theaters like Emagine and AMC, you can choose your seats in advance so you know exactly where you’ll sit and can choose to sit by the door or in the back. Some theaters, like Flix and Alamo Drafthouse, offer food and beverage ordering at your seat and they’ll bring your order right to you, eliminating waiting in lines and carrying everything to your seat with your children in tow. There are also tables to place your food and drink on, and whatever else you may need to bring to the theater with you.
Going to the movies with your sensory-sensitive or special needs family has gotten a lot easier as theaters have implemented inclusive programming and adaptive features. Hopefully, you’ll give it a try and come away with another activity you can add to your list of possibilities for your family.
Adaptive Programs for Special Needs Kids of All Ages
Have you taken your family to experience sensory-friendly movies at any of these theaters? How was it? Share comments and photos with us below, or tag us on social media using #PLAYindy. Follow Indy with Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for all of the best ideas and things to do with kids in Indy!
