15 Christmas Gifts for Movie Lovers

Movie nights are some of the simple pleasures of life, whether they involve trips to the theater or nights on the couch. Is there a movie lover on your Christmas list?

Whether your film buff enjoys sentimental tearjerkers or sidesplitting laughter, wild adventure thrills or nail-biting suspense, you're sure to find the right gift with a little forethought.

To get you started, here are 15 Christmas gift ideas for the movie lover on your list. You'll find something here for just about every interest and price range.

Movies on DVD or Blu-ray disc are popular Christmas presents. And why not? Movies offer great entertainment during the holiday season, throughout the year and for years to come.

Whether you buy a blockbuster film at full price or choose an older release from the discount bin, movies are an inexpensive way to say "Merry Christmas!"

For most people, DVDs are the way to go. Blu-ray versions are great for fans with the technology to play the discs.

Some movies are still available in VHS format, but they are much harder to find these days. Many classic movies are available only on videotape.

Movie theater tickets and gift certificates are perfect for any occasion, and they are especially appreciated at Christmas time. What better way to escape the winter cold, not to mention the hustle and bustle of shopping malls, than an afternoon matinee?

Spread some holiday cheer with theater gift cards, Fandango Bucks, or tickets from your local theater. Gift cards, certificates and tickets can be personalized for the recipient.

For many families, watching movies together is one of the most enjoyable holiday activities. For those who enjoy movies at home, movie rental gift cards may be just the ticket.

Blockbuster offers gift cards, digital gift cards and gift subscriptions for in-store and online movie rentals. The gift cards can also be used for on-demand rentals and purchases.

Many local movie rental stores also sell gift cards. Don't forget to include suggestions for great holiday movies. Need some ideas? Check out the classics.

A Netflix gift subscription is another Christmas gift idea for movie lovers. Subscribers watch unlimited movies through any device that streams, like Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. Netflix streams the movies over the Internet to your television screen through one of these devices.

Viewers can watch any movie they want, whenever and as often as they want. Subscriptions start at $7.99 per month, and gift subscriptions are available for one month to one year.

Give a gift that keeps on givig. Amazing Clubs and Flying Noodle are gourmet "gift of the month" clubs. Movie lovers will enjoy receiving one of two gifts tailored just for them: the "Dinner and a Movie" club or the "Movie of the Month" club.

The "Dinner and a Movie" club delivers a savory pasta dinner each month, along with gourmet popcorn and a Blockbuster movie rental card. The "Movie of the Month" club features gourmet popcorn, seasonings, theater candy and a Blockbuster gift card.

Most "gift of the month" clubs offer 3-, 6-, and 12- month options as well as seasonal clubs with spring, summer, fall and winter selections.

Is your movie lover always on the go? Consider a Christmas gift that can go along: a portable DVD player.

While modern smartphones serve as de facto media players, many film buffs would appreciate having their own personal movie player.

Portable DVD players are perfect for air travelers or back-seat passengers on a long road trip. The best models feature a long-life battery and LCD display for clear, widescreen viewing.

Is your film lover ready to upgrade to a new movie format? A Blu-ray disc player is an ideal choice this Christmas.

Blu-ray disc technology supersedes that of DVDs. Blu-ray discs are the same size as DVDs and CDs (and they look the same, too), but they have a greater storage capacity.

This translates into high-quality images with more details, better contrast, and richer colors.

Is your movie lover using the computer to its full viewing capacity? With more websites offering films for download, the Internet may be the perfect place to find that cinematic gem: a foreign film, forgotten classic, or obscure movie that is hard to find anywhere else.

With a small fee and the click of a mouse, you can now view entire movies on your computer screen. Since most films are best viewed in their original widescreen format, a widescreen computer monitor is a great gift idea for movie lovers.

Movies and games, games and movies: they just fit together. Many popular films are based on video games, board games and memories of our favorite childhood toys. On the flip side, several board games are based on movies or film characters.

Board games make great Christmas presents for all ages. Trivia games like "Movie Mania" challenge serious film buffs, while casual games like "Pass The Popcorn!" entertain even passive movie goers.

Some games are cheesy movie tie-ins. Others build on themes and characters to enhance the movie experience. Toy stores, department stores and online retailers offer countless movie game options.

This year, surprise your film lover with a movie action figure. Movie toys are fun novelties that add color and whimsy to an office or workspace.

A good thing about movie memorabilia is the wide range in prices. While high-end collectibles can cost hundreds of dollars, many action figures sell for less than $20 at a toy store.

You aren't limited to blockbuster action films, either. You can find collectibles for fans of Hollywood classics and cult movies, too. You just have to look a little harder. Think specialty stores, comic book shops, thrift stores, mall kiosks and online retailers.

Movie trivia books are another good choice for film buffs. They allow fans to test their movie knowledge as they rediscover their favorite films.

Trivia books are fun to read alone or as a question-and-answer quiz with friends. They tease the brain with challenging questions about movie stars, directors, famous lines and more.

Most bookstores and online book retailers sell trivia books. You can find them for individual movies like Gone With The Wind and film genres such as classic films or horror flicks.

Movie posters are good gifts for movie lovers and memorabilia collectors. Less traditional than DVDs and books, posters offer lasting enjoyment.

Vintage posters can be good investments. If they are displayed and stored properly, their value could increase over time. The Internet is the best place to look for vintage posters. You can find new posters and poster prints in poster shops, art galleries and bookstores.

Has your movie lover "been there, watched that?" Give them the t-shirt!

Surf the web and you will find countless movie t-shirts for sale. IMDTees, for example, stocks t-shirts for nearly 200 films in six different genres. Mall kiosks and specialty stores are also good places to find movie tees.

For movie lovers who already have everything else associated with a particular film, say "Merry Christmas" with the t-shirt.

Movie lovers don't have to leave home for a movie theater experience. Gift baskets filled with movies, popcorn and candy are perfect for at-home movie nights.

While you can always buy a gift basket, it's easy to create your own. Start with a basket or colorful bowl. Insert a gift-wrapped DVD or movie rental gift card. Add a box of microwave popcorn and some candy bars. Decorate your basket with festive holiday wrap.

Like movie night gift baskets, gourmet popcorn tins make nice Christmas gifts, too. Popcorn treats are available in a variety of sizes, flavors and decorative designs.

The Popcorn Factory specializes in gourmet popcorn, from small personalized tins to large towers with premium assortments. Most supermarkets and department stores also sell popcorn tins during the holidays.

• CNET. (2011) "Blu-ray Vs. DVD." CNET Reviews. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
• Kiefer, Kate. (November 17, 2009). "Paste's Holiday Gift Guide for Film Buffs." Paste Magazine. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
• Lammers, Tim. (n.d.) "Gifts for Movie Lovers go Beyond DVDs." ABC News: The Denver Channel. Retrieved November 7, 2011.

Copyright © 2011. Annette R. Smith. All rights reserved.

Published: November 7, 2011 / Modified: February 26, 2013.

You're reading 15 Christmas Gifts for Movie Lovers, by Annette R. Smith. Please leave a comment and tell us what you think. Then share the article with your family and friends.

To read more by this author, visit her profile page for the latest, hottest, and best. Or sign up for HubPages to publish your own material. It's fun, it's FREE, and you can even earn money along the way.