Switching Theaters
Purchase a ticket to a different movie. Go up to the ticket stand and purchase a ticket for a film that is rated G, PG, or PG-13. This way, you won’t be obviously trying to break the law. Pay the ticket seller and thank them before you head to your theater. To make the switch as easy and discreet as possible, buy a ticket for a movie that’s being shown in a theater that’s near the R-rated movie theater.
Give the ticket to the ticket taker. Once you’re ready to go in and enjoy your movie, walk over to the ticket taker. Give them your ticket just like you would if you were seeing the movie you bought the ticket for. It’s best to do this when many others are in the area and in line to get their ticket torn.
Go into the theater that’s playing the R-rated movie. Walk by the ticket taker and follow a crowd of people so as to not be noticed. However, instead of going to the movie you bought a ticket for, go into the theatre that is playing the R-rated movie.
Avoid employees at the theater entrance. Sometimes, movie theaters have employees stand out in front of the entrance to theaters that are showing R-rated movies and check IDs. If you see an employee by the entrance, change your plan and go into the theater that’s showing the movie your ticket is for. Wait a minute or two and then walk through the lobby again to see if the employee is still there. Walk in as soon as you see that they’re gone. Try not to make it obvious that you’re walking through the lobby for this reason. You might blend in more if you scope out the theater entrance on your way to the bathroom or concession stand. Go see the R-rated movie a few weeks after it premiers to raise your chances of success. Once the movie has been out for a while, it’s less likely that an employee will be standing at the theater entrance.
Improving Your Chances
Purchase your tickets at a kiosk. The fewer others see and notice you, the better. Buy your tickets online beforehand so that you can just walk up to the kiosk in the lobby and print off your ticket. To play it safe, still buy the ticket to the wrong movie. This will give you an advantage because only the ticket taker will interact with and be aware of which movie you’re supposed to see.
Dress and act like you’re older. Dress and act like you would if you were 17 or 18 years old. Don't wear young, trendy clothing, and resist the urge to giggle and act silly. Opt for a slightly dressy outfit or wear a t-shirt that has a college logo on it to increase your chances of being perceived as slightly older than you are. This way, you might be able to ask to buy a ticket to an R-rated movie without the ticket seller asking to see your ID. If you’re male and you’re able to grow facial hair, don't shave for a couple of days before you go to see the movie so that you appear older.
Go with older friends. If you can, go with friends that are over 17. Many theaters will allow minors in with people over 17, but even if not, going with friends might make it a bit less nerve-racking. Also, if you do get caught, you won’t be alone.
Stay cool, calm, and collected if someone questions you. If you get caught sneaking in, don’t panic or run away. This will only make you look obviously guilty and it may anger the person who caught you. Instead, calmly and confidently think of a good excuse and say something like, "Oh, my parents are in there. I just had to go to the bathroom.”
Don’t go to a theater that serves meals and alcohol. Movie theaters that serve full meals and have a full bar, like Alamo Drafthouse or Cinebarre, don’t let in anyone under the age of 18. If you try to see a movie there, your youthfulness will be obvious because no one there will be under 18 years old. Not only will this make seeing an R-rated movie more challenging, but you may struggle to even get through the front door.
Getting an Adult’s Help
Go see the same movie as a parent or older sibling. If your parents are okay with you seeing a movie that’s R-rated, it might be easiest just to ask them if they want to go with you. While this isn’t ideal, they could get all of your friends in, and then you could just sit far away from them in the theater. If this is too embarrassing or they won’t allow it, ask an older brother or sister if they want to see the movie and if they could go in with you and your friends.
Have a parent or older sibling purchase the tickets. While this isn’t as foolproof as going with them, you may be able to sneak in if your parent or sibling buys the R-rated ticket and then gives it to you. Just make sure you ask someone who is at least 21 years old, or else the ticket seller may ask to see the IDs of the people they’re buying tickets for. In this situation, the hardest part is getting past the ticket taker. Put extra effort into looking a little older than you are and act calm and nonchalant while interacting with the ticket taker.
Ask a stranger if they’ll buy your tickets for you. Look around for an adult who looks at least 21 years old who is nearby and who doesn’t seem preoccupied. Politely ask them if they could buy your ticket for you. If they say no at first, be willing to pay them some money; a good amount is around $5 plus the cost of ticket. Don’t be pushy. If it seems clear that they don’t want to help you, look for another adult and try asking them. Be very careful who you're giving your money to. The adult may be a scammer who will lie to you about purchasing the ticket to the R-rated film for you in exchange for a decent amount of money. In other words, if you trusted the wrong adult, not only are you not getting your ticket to the R-rated film, but you'll also get robbed. If they request more than $20, politely tell them you don't need them anymore and find another adult.
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