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Cinemas warning of letting suit-wearing teenagers in after £1,000 cost

Swindon Cineworld warns people not to be 'despicable' as trend sweeps through Minions screenings
Swindon Cineworld warns people not to be 'despicable' as trend sweeps through Minions screenings

Cineworld has issued a warning to people to behave when watching Minions after footage of disruption in screens goes viral.

A trend has been sweeping the nation with groups of young people, or teenagers, dressing up in suits and attending screenings of Minions: The Rise Of Gru, with some groups filming themselves cheering and messing about in screens.

The trend, which is believed to have originated on TikTok has seen people posting videos onto the social media platform with the hashtag #gentleminions videos show.

A lot of the behaviour in the videos showcases harmless fun like the copying of the film's main character, supervillain Felonius Gru, and his signature hand gesture, celebrating the five-year wait since the last Minions film being over and bowing before posters of Gru.

Some even took bananas into the screen, referencing the favourite food of the titular characters.

But some of it also appears to be more problematic with large groups of people loudly cheering, dancing around the screen and flashing their phone torches which led to complaints from other cinema-goers.

Swindon is certainly no exception with the two Cineworlds in Shaw Ridge and Regent Circus seeing similar groups turning up to watch the film, but while some UK cinemas have banned such groups, Cineworld hasn't gone that far yet.

The chain has confirmed that they have not issued blanket bans but have warned people to behave.

A spokesperson said: “All minions are welcome in our cinemas, but any who partake in despicable behaviour will be asked to leave if they disrupt the enjoyment of others."

Odeon cinemas has confirmed in a statement to the PA news agency that access to screenings of the film has been 'restricted' in some circumstances.

Other small independent cinemas have also had to take the drastic measure to ban groups.

Independent cinema The Regal in Wadebridge, Cornwall, has banned any unaccompanied children who are wearing suits from watching the film.

Not everyone is finding the trend a problem though as the film's studio Universal Pictures addressed it in a tweet.

"To everyone showing up to @Minions in suits: we see you and we love you," it said.

Annoyed film fans not in on the joke have demanded refunds at Vue Cinema in Worcester costing over £1,000.

The trend has forced the cinema in Friar Street to bring in tough new rules with anyone wearing a suit being warned not to misbehave before the film begins.

A manager at Vue Cinema Worcester, said: "The trend cost me £1,300 yesterday.

"I had to refund all of the tickets in that theatre because of kids shouting and mimicking the Minions while the film was playing.

"It was a group of about eight kids.

"Now, when we see any kids coming in to see the film dressed up we give them a warning.

"We tell them that if there is one complaint, whatever that may be, they will be kicked out of the cinema.

"It's something being implemented across a lot of cinemas, I have colleagues in Cheltenham who I know have had problems as well."