Moviegoers Are UrgingWickedFans to Stop Taking Photos of the Screen: 'Theater Etiquette Is Dead'

Mar. 15, 2025

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in ‘Wicked’.Photo:Universal Studios

Universal Studios

The witch may be dead, but theater etiquette doesn’t have to be!

SinceWicked: Part Onehit theaters on Friday, Nov. 22, stills and scenes from the highly anticipated movie musical have been popping up all over social media, sparking an online conversation about proper movie-going behavior.

The debate blew up after a user on X (formerly known as Twitter), shared aphotothey snapped of the film while watching it in theaters and encouraged others to do the same, writing, “Show ur ‘wicked part 1’ photosss.”

In response to the request, which has been viewed over 18 million times, some people obliged, sharing pictures they captured ofWicked, including shots of starsAriana GrandeandCynthia Erivo, as well as spoilers from the film’s final scene.

The ‘Wicked’ movie logo.Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

Critics of the user, meanwhile, called the thread of posts “disgraceful” and “illegal,” with some even tagging the movie’s distributor, Universal Pictures, and asking them to “do your thing and take these down.”

Others tagged movie theater companies like AMC and Regal, requesting that they “kick these people out of the theater.”

“Theater etiquette is dead,” said one user whoquotedthe post, while cinema chainAlamo Drafthouseoffered an alternative to sharing fan-captured footage from inside theaters: “Or, don’t do that.”

Others who reposted the original X post echoed this sentiment. “I’m humbly accepting defeat on the phones out at the movies thing,” one personwrote, garnering over 50,000 likes. “We fought hard but it looks like we lost this one folks.”

“PLEASE TURN YOUR PHONE OFF. It’s a simple matter of respect,” another userpleaded. “Respect for your fellow moviegoers. Respect for the hundreds of people who poured themselves into making the film.”

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in ‘Wicked’.Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Federal law states that the use of phones — or any recording equipment — to record during movie showings “without the authorization of the copyright owner,” is illegal, according to Cornell University’sLegal Information Institute.

It is also explicitly against theater rules. “No recording devices (cameras, video recorders, sound recorders, etc.) are permitted to be used within any Regal Entertainment Group facility,”Regal’s policies read.

AMC, meanwhile, states that “in support of federal law, camera use is not permitted in our auditoriums.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in ‘Wicked’.Universal Pictures

Another theater etiquette debate,whether or not cinemagoers are allowed to sing along with movies, has also cropped up in the days following the release ofWicked.

In addition to its longstanding asks that people do not talk, text or take phone calls during films, AMC Theaters recently began playing a 30-second advisory featuring scenes fromWickedthat re-emphasizes AMC’s trademark “silence is golden” reminder that plays before the start of every movie.

The chain “has a long-standing policy that prohibits disruptive behavior,” AMC spokesperson Ryan Noonan toldThe Indianapolis Star. He also stated that theWickedpre-show spot “incorporates the themes of the film as a fun, engaging reminder to moviegoers to not disrupt the experience for those around them as they enjoy the show.”

Wicked: Part Oneis in theaters now, withPart Twodue Nov. 26, 2025. Go behind the scenes ofWickedwith PEOPLE’s new special issue, availablehere.

source: people.com