If anyone needs to have their holiday brightened this year, it’s movie fans. With so many theaters closed and anticipated blockbusters delayed indefinitely, it’s been a tough time to be a cinephile. But there’s still time to give 2020 a happy ending by giving your favorite film fan something special from our gift guide.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
A Tee for Horror Fans
$20 and up from Teepublic
Your favorite horror movie fan can wear their love of cinema on their sleeve, er, chest with this cotton T-shirt featuring Michael Myers of the “Halloween” film series. Available in a variety of colors, cuts, and styles in sizes from small to 5XL.
Star Wars The Child Animatronic Edition
Whether they love “The Empire Strikes Back” or “The Mandalorian,” Baby Yoda will thrill any Star Wars fan. The robot knows how to make 25 sounds and gestures, plus he can wiggle his ears, move his arms and head, and open and close his eyes.
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After the Final Curtain: America’s Abandoned Theaters
Perfect for: People Who Love Old Movie Theaters$29 from AmazonShop Now
Once upon a time, we built elaborate gilded temples to cinema that rivaled the fanciest concert halls. Today, most of these majestic movie theaters have been destroyed, converted, or abandoned. Photographer Matt Lambros explores some of these glorious wrecks, taking you inside crumbling theaters across America, uncovering the histories of these fallen temples to the stars of Hollywood.
Related: 35 Experiences Worth Giving This Holiday Season
Ultimate Movie-Lovers Fill-In Poster
$40 from Uncommon Goods
Those scratch-off “must-see movies” posters are all well and good, but we like this fill-in version, too. It’s kind of like a standardized test score sheet, but way, way more fun. Measures 24 by 36 inches.
Personalised Retro Video Tape Print
$17 and up from Etsy
If you’re old enough to remember when video tapes were how you watched movies at home, then this poster is for you (or that friend of a certain age). Customize it with the titles of your 10 favorite films; available in two sizes.
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Alfred Hitchcock: The Ultimate Collection
Perfect for: People Who Love Old Movies$67 from AmazonShop Now
Alfred Hitchcock is one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century, especially when it comes to psychological thrillers. This DVD boxed set contains 15 of his films, including “Rear Window” and “Psycho,” as well as 10 episodes of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour” and bonus features including interviews, documentaries, and commentaries.
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Disney Villains Crew Socks
$85 from Stance
Who doesn’t have a favorite Disney villain? This set includes combed-cotton socks featuring Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty,” Scar from “The Lion King,” Sea Witch Ursula from “Little Mermaid,” and Jafar from “Aladdin.” Available in small, medium, and large.
Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper
Perfect for: A Movie Theater Gift Basket$14 from AmazonShop Now
Bring the movie theater home with a gift basket filled with their favorite concession-stand goodies. Fill this silicone popper with packages of microwave popcorn, boxes of their favorite candy, and finish it off with a couple cans of their favorite beverage to wash it all down. As a bonus, add a gift card to their favorite movie streaming service.
Related: Gifts for Couples That’ll Make Them Both Happy
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John Wayne Famous Quotes Bandana
Perfect for: Western Movie Lovers$20 from John Wayne Stock and SupplyShop Now
When it comes to legendary Hollywood Westerns, one star shines brighter than all others: John Wayne. This cotton bandana, designed by Spanish artist Dani Verges, includes quotes from some of The Duke’s most memorable films, and it’s American-made.
Related: Christmas Gifts Under $25 for Grandma and Grandpa
The Art of Mondo
Perfect for: People Who Love Movie Posters$38 from AmazonShop Now
Austin, Texas-based Mondo has made a name for itself making hyper-stylized, limited-run movie posters, T-shirts, and other memorabilia that often sell out as soon as they’re released. This 356-page book collects Mondo’s best works, along with essays by filmmakers including Quentin Tarantino and Paul Thomas Anderson.
Related: Clever and Creative Gifts for Book Lovers
The Curse of Michael Myers Tiki Mug
Perfect for: Horror Movie Fans$35 from TargetShop Now
Some faces are too scary to forget, such as horror icon Michael Myers, the mask-wearing maniac from the “Halloween” movies. These ceramic tiki mugs hold 22 ounces and are microwave- and dishwasher-safe. Other horror icons available include Pennywise the clown from “It” and Freddy Kruger from “Nightmare on Elm Street.”
Related: Gifts for True Crime Fanatics That Will Slay — in a Good Way
TCM Retro Socks
Perfect for: Classic Movie Fans$14 from TCM ShopShop Now
For more than 25 years, Turner Movie Classics has been must-see TV for classic Hollywood films, especially from the golden era of Warner Brothers and MGM. These argyle socks incorporate TCM logos and would make a great stocking stuffer.
Related: 75 Stocking Stuffers They’ll Actually Use
Personalized Couples Enamel Popcorn Bowl
Perfect for: A Movie Night For Two$23 and up from EtsyShop Now
This enameled popcorn bowl, available in two sizes, is crafted in Great Britain and can be customized with your favorite couple’s names (other designs are available). Wrap it up with a box of their favorite popcorn or chips, and you’ve got the makings for a date night done right.
Related: Personalized Gifts for Everyone on Your List
Hollywood: Her Story, An Illustrated History of Women and the Movies
Perfect for: Movie Gift Baskets For Women$26 from AmazonShop Now
Women have been making movies since the dawn of cinema, though they rarely have received the recognition they deserve. This richly illustrated book aims to correct that historical oversight, celebrating silent-era filmmakers such as Cleo Madison and contemporary actors such as Ellen Page. This, with a copy of “Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers” to watch, would make a great addition to a gift basket for her.
A Subscription to The Criterion Channel
Perfect for: People Who Love Foreign Films$99 from Criterion ChannelShop Now
Since 1984, the Criterion Collection has been preserving, restoring, and promoting the best of world cinema, from German silent-era classics to modern Hollywood masterpieces, to say nothing of works by leading filmmakers from Iran, Japan, Russia, India, and beyond. For folks who love subtitles, a subscription is a must.
Film Festival in a Box
Perfect for: Aspiring Movie Directors$18 from The GrommetShop Now
Film festivals are the laboratories of cinema, where established filmmakers and beginners can rub elbows and inspire one another with their newest creations. Although the pandemic has put a (temporary) stop to many in-person cinematic events, Film Festival in a Box brings the party home. Each month, a DVD containing four short films will arrive in the mail, along with online extras such as filmmaker Q&As. Just choose your favorite genre and Indieflix, the distributor, will do the rest.
Related: Subscription Box Gifts That Keep the Giving Going
Like Brothers
Perfect for: Young Movie Makers$10 from AmazonShop Now
Jay and Mark Duplass have been making movies together since they were kids growing up in Louisiana in the 1980s. From their film school days to their Sundance success with “Baghead” to their recent work on TV shows such as “The Boys” and “Transparent,” the Duplass brothers dispense practical advice on how to pursue your dreams without killing your best friend and sibling along the way.
Related: Show Some Brotherly Love with These Great Gifts for Brothers
Google Chromecast
Perfect for: People Who Stream Movies$30 from GoogleShop Now
Once upon a time, people had to go to the movies or the video store to see their favorite flicks. These days, there’s an app for that. Scores of apps, in fact. Google Chromecast allows you to stream and binge the best that Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and other providers offer, as well as stream music, show photos, watch sports, and play games. Just plug it into your TV, download the app, and get started streaming.
Related: Cool and Creative Gifts for Music Lovers
Plastic Popcorn Containers
Perfect for: Movie Gift Baskets For Men$10 from AmazonShop Now
Dude, everyone loves movie popcorn! These containers would make a great base for a movie gift basket that can be filled with all the goodies a guy could ask for. Set of four.
Related: 25 Gift Ideas for Guys Under $25
Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Disney Little Golden Book
Perfect for: Disney Fans$7 from AmazonShop Now
This irreverent, loving parody of Little Golden Books dishes out the kind of wit and wisdom that classic Disney animated films dispense by the spoonful. With illustrations featuring Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Pinnocchio, and others, it’s a treat for anyone who grew up reading (and rereading) Little Golden Books.
Related: 50 Great Gifts to Buy Your Grandkids
A Gift Card to Their Favorite Store
Perfect for: Anyone Who is Hard to PleaseVaries from AmazonShop Now
Let’s be honest. Movie snobs are impossible to please. So give ’em what they really want, no matter what they’re into: the freedom to choose for themselves.
