What to Buy for a Movie Marathon

A movie marathon needs more than films and seats. Plan drinks, popcorn, snacks, coffee, tea and enough serving ware for the full programme, especially if guests will stay for several hours. Use this list to check the practical items before shopping, from coolers and thermos flasks to extension cords and spare batteries. Buy or collect food early enough to chill drinks, prepare popcorn and set up the buffet before guests arrive.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Chairsqty 60
Tablesqty 8
Buffet tablesqty 3
Stoolsqty 4

Equipment

Projector
Projection screen
Laptopsqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Audio mixer
HDMI cablesqty 3
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Spare batteriesqty 12
USB sticksqty 2

Tableware

Glassesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Small bowlsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 10
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Popcorn machine
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 8

Lighting

Standing lampsqty 4
Mood lightingqty 4

Decorations

Movie postersqty 8
Program standsqty 3
Name labelsqty 60

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Ice tea - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Popcorn kernels - 3 kilos
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Popcorn salt - 1 tin
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted popcorn - 3 bags
- Sweet popcorn - 3 bags
- Salted sticks - 3 bags
- Snack nuts - 3 bags
- Wine gums - 3 bags
- Licorice - 3 bags
- Chocolate bars - 30 pieces
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Mini croissants - 60 pieces
- White sandwich loaves - 6 loaves
- Brown casino bread rolls - 6 loaves
- Whole wheat sandwich loaves - 4 loaves
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Butter - 500 grams
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 bottle
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 10 pieces
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill them in coolers before the first film starts and keep extra drinks within easy reach.
Plan about 50–75 g of popcorn kernels per person for a long screening day, plus small bowls or serving platters for refills. Prepare the first batch before guests arrive so the opening film is not interrupted.
Count one plate, glass and cutlery set per guest, then add at least 10% extra for replacements. Provide separate coffee cups and enough thermos flasks if coffee and tea will be served between films.
Check every connection before shopping day: bring the projector, screen, laptops, speakers, audio mixer and HDMI cables together, with extension cords, power strips and spare batteries as backups.
Print the film programme and prepare name tags before the event. Keep snacks and drinks on separate buffet tables so queues do not block the screen or the entrance.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a movie marathon?: For a marathon lasting four to six hours, plan one substantial snack portion and two to three smaller snack portions per person. Add 10% extra for unexpected guests or second servings.
How many drinks should I buy for a movie marathon?: Start with two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for every extra hour. Include water as well as other drinks and chill them at least 4 hours beforehand.
How much popcorn do I need per person?: Buy approximately 50–75 g of popcorn kernels per person for a long movie marathon. For 20 guests, that means about 1–1.5 kg of kernels, depending on how many other snacks you serve.
What equipment should I prepare for a movie marathon?: Prepare the projector, projection screen, laptop, speakers, audio mixer, HDMI cables, extension cords and power strips. Test the complete setup at least 24 hours before the event and keep spare batteries and a USB stick available.

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