There’s nothing like going to a movie theater

Man, did it feel good to be back in a movie theater.

For the first time in six months, I bought a ticket online, ventured to a cinema, nestled into my seat and enjoyed a film — in this case, Christopher Nolan’s excellent “Tenet” — on the big screen.

For 2 1⁄2 hours, the world felt a little more normal as my mind escaped into Nolan’s captivating story of time inversion, clever dialogue and nonstop action.

As someone who’s spending a little time during the coronavirus pandemic in Dallas, where theaters are open, I was able to call ahead and ask about the venue’s safety protocols before I made my purchase.

There was something unique about my experience, though: I was the only customer in the entire theater.

Initially, I had planned on attending a drive-in showing of “Tenet” — a movie I’d been extremely eager to see for a long time — once it debuted last week.

But when I logged onto the Fandango ticket services website last week and noticed the nearby Fun Movie Grill had a completely empty screening scheduled to start in less than an hour, I felt comfortable buying a lastminute ticket and attending a showing — a private screening, no less.

A staff member took my temperature before I went inside, and even with nothing but empty seats surrounding me, I wore a mask the whole time I was in the theater.

In addition to being impressed by “Tenet,” I walked out of the movie realizing just how much I’ve missed the theatrical experience.

I’ve missed seeing exhilarating action sequences blown up to epic proportions on a massive screen, and hearing the booming surroundsound audio that’s so intense you can practically feel it in your face as it blares.

I’ve missed the smell — and even more, the taste — of movie theater popcorn, which is in a league of its own, no matter how many times you try to make the snack at home.

And I’ve missed the crowd experience of people laughing, cheering, gasping or even crying at what they see on the big screen, as well overhearing the murmurs of audience members giving their minireviews of a film as everyone files out afterward.

Even the annoying group of people talking behind you or the couple making out in the back of the theater now have a newfound charm to them. The journey home, discussing the movie with the people you went with, is always a highlight for me, too.

Don’t get me wrong, I was extremely grateful to have an entire theater to myself and to be able to watch the movie safely.

Nothing is more important than safety in these unprecedented times, and theaters in the leading moviegoing markets of New York City and Los Angeles remain closed indefinitely. Cinemas in New Jersey were only given the OK to reopen last week.

But in a perfect world, it’s hard to beat the feeling of watching a long-awaited blockbuster with a congregation of similarly passionate fans on an opening night.

That’s something I still miss, and will continue to miss until it’s truly safe again for movie theaters to operate in their full capacity.

In the meantime, it’s back to the couch for me.