The Best Gifts for Movie Lovers, According to Cinephiles

Foster Hirsch’s new release, recommended byFilm Forumrepertory artistic director Bruce Goldstein, inspired“50 From the ’50s,”a film festival showcasing classic Hollywood movies likeEast of EdenandRoman Holiday.

Ross Melnick’s book on the global impact of movie theaters is an “absolute must-read,” saysInternational Cinematographers Guildresearcher Peter Labuza. “Theaters are where people learned and interacted with American power and American values of capitalism,” he says.

New YorkTimesmovie criticAlissa Wilkinsonrecommended biographer and film historian Scott Eyman’s recentbook, centering on the post-WWII Red Scare when Charlie Chaplin was exiled from the United States and the downfall of his career.

Critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert were precursors, says criticEmily St. James. “They were two guys yelling at each other about a specific topic … now that’s all over the internet, but Siskel and Ebert perfected it.”

Walter Hickey’s recent release shows the effects entertainment has on society, geopolitics, and the economy through reporting and data visualization. For a primer, Wilkinson spoke to Hickey about it for Vox’s podcastThe Gray Area.

For the budding director,authorWes Knollpointed us to Paul Schrader’s book, which analyzes the film styles of his most influential directors.

The John Waters fan would appreciate the director’s musings on subjects like Christmas, how to become famous, 101 things he hates, and more in his 1986 book.

Three sources —MubiNotebookmanaging editorChloe Lizotte, Film Forum publicist Andrea Torres, andThe Metrograph’ssenior editor Annabel Brady-Brown — mentionedThe Hunger,by Melissa Anderson. The soon-to-be-released collection of film writing “pulses with the pleasure of moviegoing as a private, often eroticized experience,” Brady-Brown says. Lizotte adds that it’s “going to be the book you want to be seen with on the subway this winter.” You can preorder it now.

Tyler Wilson, senior programmer atFilm at Lincoln Center, recommends this risograph-printed zine on the lives of movie-theater workers. “It’s great for anyone who loves the experience of cinemagoing as much as the films themselves,” he says. “But it’s also a consistently funny, tactile reminder that your favorite art housesare staffed and run by extremely clever, talented artists.”

If they’re into horror, St. James says this “smartly curated” Blu-ray set looks at folk horror in countries spanning the U.S., Canada, Australia, Serbia, Iceland, and more.

Gift the regular IMDb user this fun movie-trivia card game, which has three difficulty levels: Movie Geek (easy), Film Nerd (intermediate), and Cinephile (expert).

For a film-themed board game, Lizotte recommendsHollywood 1947. The strategy-based game simulates being in the movie industry during the Hollywood-blacklist era, and the goal is to create a movie and figure out which player is a Communist.

If your recipient watches lots of movies at home (which they probably do), Wilkinson says a pair of cozyslippersis a perfectgift. She didn’t have a specific brand in mind, but we recommend this warm wool Glerups pair.

Lizotte and writer Maxwell Paparella name-dropped Screen Slate merch. “You want to look good and also signal that you care about the community surrounding it,” says Lizotte, who owns this pair of Rainer Werner Fassbinder shorts.

In a similar vein, Wilkinson recommended Girls on Tops’teesfeaturing names of women in film in simple black all-capital letters.

A region-freeDVD playertops Lizotte’s wish list, because it would allow her to watch movies in her collection produced in other parts of the world. This would likely come in handy for the foreign-film lover in your life.

A standardBlu-rayis just as nice, though. “I never have enough Blu-ray players,” St. James says, adding that your recipient probably wants one for their second TV or bedroom setup.

“I meet a lot of film people who have a good home screen setup and the absolute worst sound system possible,” says Labuza. The Sonos Arcsoundbar(which he’s gifting himself this year) is an excellent splurge-worthy gift.

Popcorn is also important to the at-home movie-watching experience. Wilkinson, who’s owned this bowl for years, likes that it’s dishwasher- and microwave-safe and collapses down.

Wilkinson also recommends a niceblanketfor cozying up on movie nights. While she didn’t provide a particular brand, you can’t go wrong with Barefoot Dreams’ plush throws.

For the movie lover who travels frequently, consider the AirFly. We’vealready written about the handy device, which lets you connect Bluetooth headphones with airplane monitors. Lizotte, who recently got one herself, says it “completely changed my flying experience.”

“Everyone has aPulp Fictionposter from college,” says Lizotte. “You want something that’s a little bit more sophisticated, artistic.” Soho vintage and contemporary movie-posterstore Posteritati has a broad selection, so she recommends sending a gift card.

Here’s a stocking stuffer for the Ingmar Bergman fan. Made with photo stills from the director’s films, the deck doubles as a piece of art.

Almost every person I spoke with recommended a membership to your giftee’s local cinema by simply Googling independent theaters in their city and comparing options or by usingArt House Convergence’smap.Perks (along with supporting independent cinemas) usually include discounted ticket prices, snack prices, invites to special events, and more. Wilson adds that a donation in your giftee’s name would also be thoughtful. “Keeping these kinds of cinemas’ doors open means helping them lift up the filmmakers they believe in,” he says.

Various streaming services were recommended, including a subscription to the Criterion Channel. “It’s probably the best streaming service right now, especially for people who are cinematically inclined,” says Wilkinson.

New York–based theater Metrograph’s streaming service, Metrograph at Home, lets members stream curated film collections and exclusive premieres anywhere in the U.S. Plus, New York members get $10 box-office tickets and discounts to the theater’s restaurant and bookstore.

If your recipient is into international film, Wilkinson says to consider a Mubi subscription. The streaming service features curated films, programs and retrospectives, double bills, and exclusive premieres.

“AMC+ is a secretly great streaming service with a ton of wonderful stuff, especially if you are into horror,” says St. James, adding that it gives members access to the entire Shudder catalogue. Additionally, you also get access to Sundance, IFC, and, of course, AMC’s catalogue. “If you’re a TV fan also, it’s honestly one of the better investments,” she adds.

Gift the indie- or foreign-film buff a digital pass to the Sundance Film Festival, which takes place in January. Prices start at just $25 for one online screening; a Short Films Pass for the Festival Package ($350) comes with ten online screenings.

If your recipient meticulously tracks their watch list and movie history, consider gifting the Pro or Patron subscription to Letterboxd, which they likely already use for cataloguing and reviewing films.