We saw Wicked on Friday night, opening weekend. We bought our tickets for seven adults and three children three weeks in advance. The excitement in our house grew with each passing day.

Going to the movie theater was a pastime for my wife and me for sixteen years before our first child was born. We went to the movies so often that we would drive to theaters further away solely for the change of scenery.

After March 2016, boom, we were done going to the movies.

Our children are now movie-going age at eight and five years old, which means…

We’re back, baby!

We were pleasantly surprised to find that fresh-popped popcorn, sticky floors, and apathetic teenage employees—all of our favorite staples—remained the same as they were in 2016. Outside of that, there is nothing but improvements: the screens are giant, the seats are like beds, and they serve cocktails.

Having children means we may not go to the movies we want to see, but while much has been said about the golden age of television, children’s movies are also having a fantastic run. From the non-stop stream of hits from Pixar to unexpected gems like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and Transformers One, there is no shortage of movies made to entertain both kids and adults.

Some of my favorite movies from the past decade are children’s movies.

As parents, we sometimes forget that our kids don’t yet feel the dopamine rush we get when walking into a movie theater lobby. That familiar smell of popcorn and the hum of excitement in the air is all new to them.

We’re building the foundation of their nostalgia, which can feel overwhelming when planning even semi-special events like a trip to the movies.

But here’s the thing: you can decide how to spend your emotional energy. Go into it with enthusiasm, which is easier even on the worst days because you’re about to get an hour and a half of rest as long as you set it up for success.

You may be thinking movies are expensive. They can be, and we’ll get to that, but stay with me here.

Pay attention to your theater’s deals. Matinees are a surefire way to save, but check if they have weekday specials. Our local theater has $5 tickets all day on Tuesdays.

Build anticipation in the days leading up to the movie. Tell your kids you’re excited about it at unexpected times with genuine enthusiasm. Jenni and I typically break into spontaneous songs or chants, but you do you.

Bring blankets. While being cozy is nice, that’s not the main reason for this tip.

Frequent trips to the theater are key to building that cinema magic you want your kids to feel one day. However, the amount of money your children could spend at a concession stand is staggering.

Make sure everyone is fed before you leave the house, and head out ten minutes earlier than usual. Use the extra time to stop somewhere for a reasonably priced treat to sneak into the theater. The first time I did this with my kids, I left Target with a Kinder Egg and a pack of gum.

This is where the blanket comes in. It’s the metaphorical cake to hide your file—aka the pre-bought treat. Remind your children that it’s of the utmost importance that no one in the lobby even suspects contraband is wrapped in the Paw Patrol blanket. They get a thrill; we save money.

My son even put on a ruse while we were in line to get popcorn, illegal candy securely wrapped in a plush blanket.

“Daddy, I don’t need candy this time.” He looked at me with a knowing smile, proud of his acting performance.

And, yes, we were buying popcorn and a couple of drinks. As far as Jenni is concerned, popcorn is part of the admission price. This is why the candy subterfuge is a moral gray area I’m comfortable with. Take this as your invitation to live on the wild side.

All of this amounts to more fun and less whining.

There are some movies that need a little extra magic.

There are the movies we know our families will love, but my favorite thing about going to the movies now is the genuine excitement on my kids’ faces when a trailer for an unexpected film comes on the screen. Plus, you now have an accessible event to look forward to and get excited about as a family. It’s also handy for distracting from the various “no’s” you’ll have to hand out in the meantime.

We went all out for Wicked. My daughter, Clementine, counted down the days—not just to see the movie but mostly to wear her new Wicked dress. The rest of us bought apparel from the movie as well. I chose Wicked Sour Gummies as our smuggled treat.

The movie did not disappoint.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande both deliver fantastic performances with their acting and vocals. Delivering at their level is no easy feat, given how beloved the Broadway play is and how iconic the original performances by Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel are.

While some might be annoyed by the movie’s length (2 hours 40 minutes) or the fact that it’s not the full story, I’d argue those people are not fans of Wicked, musicals, or both. If you are a fan of either, however, Wicked will meet your expectations.

The adaptation from stage to screen hits the mark while taking creative risks to make the movie visually stunning. It seems as though director Jon Chu may have found his niche in bringing stage musicals to the screen. He had previous success with Lin Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights in 2021 and is currently working on an adaptation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Wicked is rated PG, so most kids will handle it fine. That said, there are flying monkeys—different from the originals, but equally terrifying. To be clear, that’s my adult perspective. Monkeys shouldn’t have wings.

If you want more about our trip to Wicked make sure to check out Wicked, Football, & A New Holiday | The Kids Are In Bed Ep 43.

The point is, don’t wait for the magic to come to you. I’m as guilty as any parent of thinking I need to put in maximum effort to make my kids behave and have fun, only to decide I don’t have the energy to do anything because… well, life. Then I go to bed feeling guilty, like I have no magic to give.

When you feel like that, remember the words of Glinda from The Wizard of Oz:

“You’ve always had the power, my dear. You’ve had it all along.”

Sprinkle a little enthusiasm on the mundane. Your kids will show you the magic.