How To Watch A Movie Together On Facetime

Okay, so you want to watch a movie with someone but, you know, life. Maybe they live across the country, maybe they're quarantined with a case of the sniffles. Fear not! It’s movie night, virtually!

First, the Tech-ish Stuff (Barely)

Got an iPhone or iPad? Great! You're already halfway there. You and your movie buddy both need iOS 15.1 or later, or iPadOS 15.1 or later. Don't worry, it’s probably automatic update if you have a relatively recent device.

Pick Your Poison (Movie, That Is)

This is the fun part! Decide what cinematic masterpiece (or hilarious disaster) you’re going to subject yourselves to. Remember that one terrible rom-com from 2003 that you secretly love? Perfect.

The important thing is that you BOTH need access to the movie. This could be through a streaming service like Apple TV+ (which is the star of the show here!), or even renting it on iTunes. Coordination is key, people!

Showtime! (Finally!)

Start a FaceTime call with your movie companion. Get the pleasantries out of the way: “How’s the cat?” “Did you remember to buy snacks?” Crucial pre-movie rituals.

Once you're both settled, swipe up from the bottom of your FaceTime screen. This brings up the control center, allowing you to get to the home screen.

Now, open the Apple TV app (or whatever app you're using to stream). Find your movie, and get ready to press play. Here’s where the magic happens!

A prompt should appear: "Watch Together." Tap it! This will share your screen to the other person.

If that doesn't appear, start the movie. A "SharePlay" option might appear on the screen itself. Tap that!

A brief pause to marvel at the technology. Seriously, we’re living in the future.

The Beauty of Shared Viewing (and the Occasional Glitch)

Now you’re both watching the same movie, at the same time! You can pause, play, rewind, and even control the volume (within reason – don’t be a movie tyrant!). The experience is synchronized.

Prepare for the inevitable. A random lag, a dropped connection, the existential dread of buffering. It's all part of the experience! Laugh it off and restart.

"Did you see that plot twist?!"

Text or verbally share thoughts, feelings, and hilarious commentary throughout the movie. The best part of movie night isn't always the movie itself; it's the shared experience. Maybe even coordinate outfits!

Don’t forget the snacks. Pizza is always a good call. And if you’re feeling fancy, try making themed snacks related to the movie. Remember to show each other your snack setup, the more elaborate the better.

When the credits roll, debrief! Was it as good (or as bad) as you remembered? What was your favorite line? Start planning the next FaceTime movie night immediately!

Consider this: you’ve just bridged physical distance with the power of cinema (and a little help from Apple). Give yourself a pat on the back. You’re a modern movie master!

So, grab your popcorn, call your friend, and get ready for a night of virtual movie magic. The possibilities are endless, and the memories are priceless.

Happy viewing!