Some theaters have closed captioning done via a backwards display at the back of the theater, you wear special glasses or something that have mirrors. I think some may also do alternate languages.
this post was submitted on 21 Mar 2026
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How do I look this up? Is there like a term its called?
What? That's fucking cool lol
Theater i worked at did captions in little boxes on arms you stuck in the cupholder. It just sat there and displayed text, and you could adjust the arm so it sat where you wanted. Maybe see if local theaters do subs in your language?
Have you tried looking for a theater that does Chinese subtitles?
It's a thing that exists, you might find it in a populated area but it's not super common.
You could also find a Chinese movie with English subtitles, that's probably a lot more common
You could also find a Chinese movie with English subtitles, that's probably a lot more common
I kinda wanna watch Project Hail Mary tho...
If you’re in Philly, there may be something in the Chinatown area, or maybe someone there can give you options so your mom can enjoy a movie out with you. I hope you find a solution.
That said, you should go see Project Hail Mary, it’s fantastic. Maybe take a friend if you don’t want to go alone, but I’ve gone to movies by myself plenty of times and I would have gone alone to this one if I hadn’t dragged my partner to opening weekend.
it's fine to go to the movies alone. make it an evening just for you. buy an irresponsible amount of snacks and just get lost in it.
I kinda have separation anxiety...
I feel like its good family bonding time too...
The separation anxiety doesn't go away if you don't separate sometimes.
aaaaahhhhh
My parents fucked up my brain...
From birth to like 12 years old... I wasn't allowed to go outside by myself...
Just home all the time... or in school...
Never played with a peer outside of school...
Every time I wanna go outside... its with mom...
so the inertia just remained...
I think I first was allowed to walk home by myself in like 6th grade... I was 13
after that, I only went to the library like a few times...
But besides those rare moments, never been alone outside (besides home or school or walking to and from school) by myself...
Feels like climbing mt everest
Like I never even felt brave enough to like... ask someone to just hang out after school hours...
I know it's hard, I also have lots of experience getting over fears. I was myself extremely socially afraid and afraid of all kinds of things in a less severe manner.
I have an Singaporean girlfriend right now who is similar, who I'm helping through it as well.
Believe me, I know the struggle. It's so unbelievably hard to do things you're afraid of and the main problem is that it all happens inside your head. All the effort you're putting in is basically invisible to an outsider. They might push you because they don't see how much you're already doing, which just makes it worse because you start feeling like you should be doing more, and then on top of feeling afraid you also feel like shit because you do "so little", which is not little at all.
You can do it, I believe in you :D if you want any more words, I'm here, I don't wanna ramble on and on lol
It's not good family bonding time, sitting and not talking to each other.
It's better than nothing, but any activity that explicitly directs you all to interact with each other is better.
Eh...
Find seats next to each other and like just... being in the presense of each other...
And there's something to talk about afterwards... that's an issue... mom really wants to "talk to me" but there's no topics to talk about... movies can spark a conversation afterwards...
I mean what other activity do you recommend?
That aren't too stressful for someone like me with depression?
Hey there's no one way to be you. Take a challenge that you're actually able to DO, if you make it too big it won't happen or it will be painful.
So from what everyone says, pick the thing that you're ok doing. And don't forget to have fun. It sounds silly saying this part, but if you're having depression the fun part is the most important thing here. If you have separation anxiety and your parents may not enjoy the movie, that's just a tool to get you to the movies.
I like cooperative tabletop games.
Check out your local game store. See what they recomend for cooperative games with simple rules for beginners. Pick up one or two that seem interesting to you.
For the whole seperation thing, try going to the game store on your own. Come up with some options, then talk to mom about what seems interesting. Then go again on your own and buy whatever you agreed to try.
That way just getting the games could serve both helping with separation and bonding at the same time.
Yeah, go alone. Why take your mum? Enjoy it.
I love doing this with late night showings. its fun
Watch an action movie. There's barely any dialogue worth understanding. The best parts of the movie are visual.
If you don't like action, def avoid comedy that relies on plot, go for comedy based on visuals.
Or find a romcom, those where the plot is predictable.
There's also great movies for adults that are appropriate for kids. Kid's lack of attention makes these movies very easy to follow the plot.
I watch stuff in languages I barely understand and can at least somewhat enjoy it.
In Japan, many films get Japanese subtitles, but the US is less into that. (A lot of films also get dubbed which can delay releases for like 6+ months, if they even release in theatres at all, but that's another story).
A lot of films also get dubbed
Dubbing is a crime against art.
I agree most of the time, but there is at least one notable exception.
MXC
What's up Tiger Lily
even Airplane! in a way (although also reshot, not just dubbed)
Etc.
Yes, technically these are dubbed, but it's really an entirely new piece of art. I think Shin Chan sits right at the edge.
there are some really good dubs though..
Why Germans put up with that stilted, terribly acted dialogue is beyond me.
i believe it would be much better for you to watch at home.. maybe get some cheap TV?
I can't see movies in theaters anymore bc my hearing loss got bad enough I need closed captioning for everything. Having them available in any language also, that'd be amazing. I can't think how to do it without like personal goggles or something that privately display them - I've had ppl practically curse me out for using closed captioning on a TV. Like it bugs them that much. Like their handicap is focus-related or something, not hearing loss-related
They exist. Unsure how it works now, but it’s existed for years, a small prism-like thing that would show them. Check your theater listings.
Wait until the movie is out on streaming services (or DVD/BluRay) and then watch it with subtitles at home?
- Don't have a great screen at home... have a tv that has terrible colors or a OLED but its 16" kinda small... hard to watch together...
- Sound quality... $100 headphones... also can't share the experience...
- Doesn't feel like "doing something fun"... feels just like another depression day at home
- Not available for 6 more months... I might not even be alive then... the world might end before then...
- Distractions...
I mean… unless you can find a theater that specifically caters to Chinese audiences, like others suggested, I can’t really think of any other alternatives. I’m sure you can understand that it’s pretty difficult for regular theaters to cater to every foreign audience because the entire screen would be full of subtitles, or they’d have to have 50 different screenings a week, with Chinese being shown at 10am on a Wednesday.
You don't need to understand everything to enjoy a film. There are movies where the dialogs aren't that important.
Or she can use a translator app on her phone (I don't know how well that would work).
My dad was in Germany when Star Wars came out. He didn't understand a bit of German. But he still watched and said it was awesome. Especially Darth Vader with a deep German voice.
Imagine Star Wars, but the Imperials all speak German in the English version (with subtitles).
If you feel brave maybe look up gunnery sergeant Hartman from Full Metal Jacket in German