Going Solo

These are some of the movies I've seen in theaters by myself:
3:10 to Yuma
Atonement
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Inception
Rango
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, part 2

I'm sure I'm forgetting a few examples...in any case, these are the ones that came readily to mind and they are listed in the order in which I saw them.

What kind of loser goes to the movies alone?
Me! I do!

Why?
Two reasons:
1) Impulsivity.  In the case of the first three and Rango, I happened to have some time at my disposal and saw them on a whim.  I had wanted to go see all these movies and I just happened to be near a theater and have enough time to sit down and watch something before going somewhere else.  With the exception of Forgetting Sarah Marshall I saw all the movies in almost-empty theaters, which was really nice in that I didn’t worry so much about annoying movie patrons (e.g. people who have side conversations throughout the movie, or text constantly, or make loud crunching noises, etc.)
2) Impatience.  I really would’ve liked to see Inception and the last Harry Potter film with a group of friends, but it just didn’t work out logistically.  Determined to watch it before accidentally getting it spoiled for me by happening upon something about the plot on a website I frequent, I chose to watch the film by myself at time that was convenient for me on the day that it came out. 

I don't regret watching any of these movies by myself, but it would've been nice to get to discuss it with a friend immediately afterward.  I still go to the movies with a friend or two and enjoy that experience as well.  But there's something really satisfying-- maybe selfishly so-- to just sitting down by myself without having to find a seat for my companion(s) or talk to anyone else or wonder what anyone else is thinking.  If I'm by myself I might feel less inhibited to cry during the movie, and more likely to laugh aloud at things that are only hilarious to me.

When I see a trailer or read about a movie I don't automatically think "A-ha! That's a movie I want to see by myself!"  Going solo to the theater just happens sometimes, and while I don't actively seek out that experience I still relish it and look forward to it.