Make friends in a new city, one film at a time
The easiest way to make friends after moving is to do something you enjoy, regularly, with people who enjoy it too. Cinemeet turns that into a cinema visit: find people nearby who like the films you like, join a screening, and talk afterwards.
Moving somewhere new quietly removes the social life you never had to organise. The friends you'd text on a Thursday, the colleagues you'd grab a drink with, the people you'd bump into: all of that stays behind. The first weeks are often the same pattern: busy days, empty evenings.
The usual advice is to "join something". That's right, but it skips the hard part, which is finding something you'd actually want to go back to. Friendships between adults rarely come from one great conversation. They come from seeing the same people again, doing something you both enjoy, until it stops feeling like meeting strangers.
Why a cinema works when you don't know anyone yet
You don't have to be interesting for two hours. You sit next to each other, the film does the work, and afterwards you have an obvious first topic. If the conversation doesn't click, the evening still ends naturally.
And it repeats. New films open every week, so there's always a reason to meet again, which is exactly what turns a first meeting into a friendship.
How it works on Cinemeet
- Build your film profile. Add the films, directors and genres you love, so people can see your taste before they meet you.
- Find people nearby. Browse people in your new city whose taste overlaps with yours, or look for a group screening you can join.
- Meet at the cinema. Agree on a screening, meet in the foyer, watch the film, and see whether you want to grab a drink afterwards.
Living abroad?
In many countries cinemas show international films in their original language with subtitles, so you can often watch a film in a language you know. That makes the cinema one of the easiest social plans for expats and international students: nobody expects you to follow a conversation in the local language while the film is on.
Starting university or a new job?
A group screening is a low-stakes way to meet people outside your course or team. You don't need an introduction or a shared friend, only a film you'd both like to see. If you'd rather start with one person, a one-on-one with a movie buddy works the same way.
Looking for something broader? Read how to meet new people as an adult, or if you just want plans for this evening, find something to do tonight.
Questions about making friends in a new city
How do I make friends after moving to a new city?
Pick one thing you genuinely enjoy and do it regularly with other people, rather than waiting for friendships to happen at work or through neighbours. Seeing the same people more than once is what turns a first meeting into a friendship. Cinemeet makes the cinema that recurring thing: new films open every week, so there is always a next screening to go to together.
Is Cinemeet useful if I'm an expat?
Yes. A film is one of the few social activities that doesn't depend on your small talk in the local language. In many countries cinemas show international films in their original language with subtitles, so you can often watch a film in a language you know. The Cinemeet app is available in English and Dutch.
Do I have to meet people one-on-one?
No. You can join a group screening, meet one movie buddy, or create your own event and let others join. Many people start with a group because it's lower pressure when you don't know anyone yet.
Is Cinemeet a dating app?
Not only. Every event says what kind of evening it is, a group screening, a one-on-one with a movie buddy, or a date, so if you're looking for friends you join friendly events. Here's how Cinemeet keeps those apart.
What does Cinemeet cost?
Cinemeet is free to download and free to use on iOS and Android. Cinema tickets are bought at the cinema as usual, Cinemeet doesn't sell them.
Get Cinemeet Free
Your first evening out in a new city
See who nearby shares your taste in film, pick a screening, and go together.
