Do you prefer seeing movies by yourself?

100% depends on the movie. Yesterday I saw The Irishman alone and then Knives Out with friends and I couldn't imagine either film having the same effect had those experiences been flipped. 

9 times out of 10, though, I prefer to be with other people. Just don't lean in and whisper to me too much!

Depends on who I'm watching with. Some people are killjoys and sit there puckered up looking miserable, it's just their default mode of existence.

I can't watch movies with those people. But with someone who is willing to enjoy themselves, or someone who is willing to talk about the movie afterwards (I'm a big fan of discussing a movie after I'm done with it), then yeah.

if the question is: do I like watching movies in theaters than YES absolutely. I love the theater experience. The smell of greasy buttery popcorn, the trailers, the surround sound. Yeah, it's always a treat to see something in theaters regardless of what kind of film it is. Some films specifically benefit from audience reactions (Hereditary was so. much. fun to watch with an audience) but I'd watch any film in a theater.

if the question is: do I like watching with friends. Ehhh not really, but that's because I don't have any friends who'd have wanted to watch The Favourite with me. Historically if I'm watching with friends or family it's a blockbuster or action film, which is fun but if you're going to see those kinds of movies with friends/family then the purpose isn't really to see the film but to be with your friends/family. I wouldn't have wanted to take anyone with me to see Phantom Thread except my brother who's actually interested in films like that. Also I've never really had cinephile friends near me so I don't know what it's like to have multiple people in your IRL life who want to watch the new PTA film with you. I've never had that.

So...I guess the answer is... I don't know? 99% of the movies I watch I watch by myself and I'm not slowing down so clearly I don't mind watching by myself, but I also don't really know what it's like to be around several other people who share my cinematic interests. That's why going to a film festival is in my bucket list, so I can enjoy obscure films with other nerds who care about those things, but in the meantime I have no problem enjoying movies by myself, and obviously it's a lot easier to be vulnerable when you're watching by yourself too. Not proud of how hard I fought to hold back tears watching Fox and the Hound years ago w/ my family when YOU KNOW I'd have been bawling my little eyes out if I was watching it alone. 

So I guess... I'll say alone. I can experience more catharsis/vulnerability when I'm by myself, which is obviously more essential for some movies than others (some movies you just appreciaite for their craft and entertainment value -- rewatching Inglouris Basterds with my bro the other day was a blast). But to access that deepest emotional connection to a story, yeah I usually need to be by myself, or at least, "alone in a crowded room."

Any movie I see in theaters anymore, I prefer to see alone. I hate feeling like I’m being a killjoy if I don’t enjoy a movie the person I’m with is, and if that person isn’t enjoying it even if I am, I don’t feel like I’m wasting their time.

Also, if they’re driving, I don’t have to worry about getting stranded or dragged out if they decide to leave early.

Theater time has become sort of a Temple time for me. A chance to focus on myself, indulge in some escapism, and develop my honest thoughts and interpretations on something without anyone else’s input or preconceptions, and it’s been wonderful.

I've been to the cinema thirty or so times this year, and if I remember correctly I was alone for about 25 of them, so I think that says it all.

At home I'm not too fussy really, but I guess alone is still the preferred option.