What decides the pick is what your person already owns: someone with every favorite film on a shelf is better served by a festival pass, a print, a book about the making of a movie, or a documentary than by another copy of the film itself.
The ideas here run from a $30 gaff tape and moleskin set for people who make films, to a festival pass for films they can’t stream yet.
A homemade clapperboard card sits at the cheap end of this list, and a portable mini projector sits at the other. Match the gift to what they already watch, wear or build.
1. Film Festival Pass
Tickets beat almost any object for a person who already owns every favorite on a shelf. A festival pass hands them a seat for films they cannot stream yet, often with a director or cast member nearby.
Check the screening schedule before you buy, and pick a pass that matches how many films your person will really sit through.
Tuck the pass into a card with a note offering to go along; seeing a movie together is half the gift.
2. Film Prints
Wall art made of film posters gives a movie lover something to look at all year. A grid print packs 100 tiny, minimalist posters onto one sheet, so a horror fan can spot favorites and argue about what got left out.
I prefer the black background, since the colors pop and it looks sharp in a plain frame.
Pick a genre your person actually loves rather than a general "best of" list. Measure the wall first, because a print this dense needs room to be read.
3. Movie Night Snack Bowl
A divided bowl with a built-in cup holder keeps popcorn, candy and a drink within reach, so nobody hunts for a coaster in the dark. Sections mean M&Ms never sink into buttery popcorn.
Fill it before wrapping, or pair the empty bowl with a bag of kernels and a favorite candy.
A soft throw blanket rounds out a movie night gift, since the couch part is half the experience. Choose a color your person will enjoy seeing on the coffee table.
4. Classic Film Books
Reading about film extends a love of it, and a book by a director-critic adds opinions to argue with. Quentin Tarantino’s Cinema Speculation is a good pick for someone who already has strong takes on 1970s movies.
Match the book to a director or era your person returns to, rather than a broad history.
I would choose a hardcover or paperback they can mark up. Slip in a movie ticket stub as a bookmark.
5. Movie Sweatshirts
Pick the character or film your person quotes most, since a shared inside joke beats a random logo.
Ask about sizing in advance, or include a gift receipt, because hoodies are hard to guess. Add a matching cap or a coffee tumbler to build a small bundle around the one movie they love.
6. Artisan Popcorn
Flavored popcorn feels like a treat, and it stays easy to share.
For a gift, buy 2 or 3 flavors in bags or tins instead of a whole cart.
I would mix one sweet, one chocolate and one salty option so the sampler has range. Eat it fresh; stale popcorn disappoints.
7. Screen Magnifier for Smartphones
A screen magnifier turns a phone into a small tabletop TV, which suits a movie lover who watches on the go. The black frame holds the phone upright, so hands stay free.
Check that the phone model fits before buying, since sizes vary. I would pair it with a gift card for a streaming rental, so the first movie is ready to go.
8. Custom Face Twilight Shirt
Team Edward or Team Jacob? Settle that before you order, because a Twilight fan has a side, and the wrong face on the chest is a bad joke.
Black shirts make the photos stand out, and the slogans are the fun part, so choose the one that fits your person’s loyalty. The Custom Face Twilight Shirt works best for a friend who already laughs at the whole saga.
9. Movie Night Gift Basket
A basket lets you build a full night in: a Netflix gift card for the movie, a portable theater for the screen, and snacks to eat during it.
A small black wire basket holds all of it and stays useful afterward.
Mix salty and sweet snacks so nothing repeats.
If your person has a dog, a bag of dog treats makes a good extra, since pets always join the couch. Add the card last, where it is easy to find.
10. Movie Themed Graphic Tee
A graphic tee built on a film’s poster art says which movie someone loves without a word. The dark grey hides stains and fading better than a light base, and the white text stays sharp against it.
Pick the film your person rewatches, not the one that is trending.
I would wash it inside out so the print lasts longer. Include a gift receipt in case the size misses.
11. Movie Themed LEGO Building Set
A boxed LEGO set from a favorite movie gives a fan hours of building and a display piece at the end. The Apocalypseburg set from The LEGO Movie 2 suits someone who loved that film’s humor.
Match the set to a movie your person actually watches.
Boxes this large take up shelf space, so think about where the finished build will sit. It makes a good gift for a friend who likes working with their hands.
12. Portable Mini Projector
A small cylindrical projector, like the Nebula model, puts a movie on any blank wall, with no screen to hang. The size lets it sit on a coffee table or travel in a bag.
Pick a plain, light wall and dim the room for the sharpest picture.
I would choose a compact one over a big one, since a gift like this only gets used if it is easy to set up. Add a streaming gift card to start.
For those planning on spending more lockdown time outdoors, this massive inflatable projector screen (available in sizes from 14 to 20 feet) will bring a modern moviegoing experience to any front or back yard, rooftop, or poolside.
13. DIY Clapperboard Greeting Card
A handmade clapperboard card turns a birthday message into a prop, with the date and the name written right on the slate.
A clapperboard card small enough to hold in one hand works best, and handwritten titles and scene numbers are half the charm, so skip the printed labels.
Write the recipient’s name and the date in the slate boxes, then add a short line about the movie they would star in. Keep the lettering neat but not perfect; a homemade card should look homemade.
Tuck a gift card inside or tape it to the back.
14. Movie Candy Gift Bags
Candy bags labeled "Movie Treats" are the cheapest way to dress up a movie night, and they work for a coworker or a whole guest list.
Clear bags let the colors do the decorating, so the label is the only extra you need.
Fill each bag with the candies your person actually eats at the theater, and seal it close to the film night so nothing goes stale.
A second bag labeled "Sweet Treats" for sharing is worth making, since it keeps the recipient’s own stash intact.
Print the labels at home to keep the cost low.
15. Film Documentary DVD
Someone who already owns the film may not own the story of how it was made, and a behind-the-scenes documentary fills that gap.
A disc like The Thing Expanded, about a John Carpenter film, sits next to the movie it explains.
Choose a documentary about a film your person already loves, and check that they still own a disc player before buying. I like physical copies for this: they look good on a shelf and never vanish from a streaming catalog.
Pair it with the film itself if they lack it.
Gift Experiences for Film Lovers
A membership to a local film club or repertory group gives a movie lover something a single ticket can’t: a reason to go out every month.
Look up what your nearest club offers, since terms and prices differ from place to place.
Festival passes vary in price by event, so check the festival’s own website for what a pass includes before you pay.
Indie festivals tend to reward the person who likes finding a film nobody has heard of yet, and they often put filmmakers and fellow fans in the same lobby.
Choose the experience that fits how your person likes to watch. A social film lover gets more from a club that meets and talks afterward; a solo viewer may prefer a pass they can use on their own schedule.
Practical Gifts for Filmmakers
For anyone who makes films, even short ones with friends, a gaff tape and moleskin set is a gift they will actually use.
Gaff tape holds down cables and gear, and it peels off without sticky residue. Moleskin handles quick costume fixes, like a shoe that rubs.
A set like this runs about $30, and you can find one at a hardware store or online. It isn’t flashy, so pair it with a handwritten note or a small treat to make it feel like a present.
Buy it for someone who is working on a project soon. The timing makes it land: they will reach for it on the very next shoot.
Nostalgic Gifts for Movie Fans
A video store candle works best for a friend who remembers wandering carpeted aisles looking for a rental.
A Blockbuster-style label and a buttered popcorn scent come together in an 8 oz. soy wax candle, which is the version I’d pick for anyone who remembers Friday night rental runs.
It is hand poured in the USA, burns for about 70 hours and comes boxed, so it needs little wrapping.
Smaller shops sell similar candles, with some starting around $13.27 on Etsy. Compare scents and labels before you pick, since the label is half the joke.
Light it right before the movie starts. A scent that reads as popcorn is strongest in a small room, so a living room beats an open basement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some good gift ideas for someone who loves film?
For a film fan who already owns the favorites, a festival pass or a local film club membership adds new titles to watch, and usually a room full of fellow fans to talk them over with.
Someone with firm opinions on movies might also enjoy a book by a director who writes criticism, such as Quentin Tarantino’s Cinema Speculation. Match whatever you choose to a director, era or film they keep coming back to.
What is a good movie night gift basket?
3 items carry the basket: a streaming gift card for the film, a portable projector or screen for the theater feel, and snacks that mix salty with sweet.
