For teens that aren’t familiar with cult movies, a movie party is a fun way to introduce them to this corny genre that’s “so bad it’s good.” A key to the success of one of these parties is to psych teens for a whole lot hokey acting and special effects. Cult films tend to be low-budget movies with eccentric plots. Check through a list of cult classics and watch the movie before the party to cull ideas that will make great party games.
Party Invitations
Create a one-page press release inviting guests to a special showing of the movie. Look online for artwork, such as the film’s poster, that you can incorporate into the flier. While watching the movie, copy down a few lines that you can include in the invitation. Select lines that prepare guests for the melodramatic script. Make certain that guests know that they aren’t watching last summer’s blockbuster or a conventionally popular film.
Will you be showing a couple of movies or perhaps comparing a cult film to its remake? Let guests know. If you want guests in costume, include that information.
Birthday Party Games for Teens
You can plan for games and activities before the movie, during an intermission, and after the movie. If you are planning on showing more than one movie, plan for a longer intermission with games, food, and activities that will burn some energy built up from sitting for over an hour.
- When guests arrive, give them a ticket (either one you’ve made or from a purchased roll) that enters them into a drawing for door prizes during an intermission or after the movie.
- Have pens and paper handy so party goers can write down quotes from the movie. At the end of the movie, players read what they think are the worst quotes; other players vote on the corniest line.
- Write the names of the characters on index cards (you may want to include some helpful description or a picture to identify the characters). Tape a card to players’ backs (or foreheads). Players walk around to other players asking yes or no questions that help them to figure out their character’s identity.
- Play charades based on scenes from the movie. Have players do impersonations of characters or act out scenes.
- Wrap up the movie with the teen hosting the party playing an interviewer who questions guests about their viewing experience. Prepare a few questions in advance – “Why does this movie have such a fan base?”
Party Favors and Prizes
When watching the movie before the party, make note of items that play a role in the movie and hand out these objects as party favors or as prizes for games. Whether it is sunglasses, rats, or chocolates, check out your local party or dollar store for party favors and prizes for the games.
For fun, hand out favors as items appear in the film. Give prizes for best costume upon arrival. Give small prizes for winning games or doing the best impersonation of one of the movie’s characters.
Provide some Gooey, Creepy, (and Yummy) Treats for a Party and any other food that connects to the film. Have fun naming the dishes before you serve them and include descriptive tags with each dish (“Invasion of the Body Snatchers [pea] pods”). Since cult films tend to be over the top, don’t hold back when planning this party.
