"how is the movie" vs "how was the movie"

Question

"how is the movie" vs "how was the movie"

If friends have finished watching a film, ask "How was the movie?" to find out what they think of it.

Last Updated: March 20, 2019

"How is the movie?" would only be correct in very limited situations.

Most of the time, you would ask people's opinion of a film after they have finished watching it. When the film is complete, ask "How was the movie?"

It's possible, but not very likely, that you would ask someone's opinion of a film while it's still playing. (Perhaps you're texting with a friend who's breaking movie theater rules.) In this scenario, "How is the movie?" would be correct.

Explanation provided by a TextRanch English expert

Some alternatives from our editors:

How was the movie?
How was the film?
What did you think of the movie?
What did you think of the film?
Did you like the movie?
Did you like the film?

In almost every situation, you would ask someone's opinion of a film after it has finished playing. When the film is over, use past tense and ask "How was the movie?"

Explanation provided by a TextRanch English expert

Some examples from our editors:

I can't believe you were able to get tickets to the premiere of the latest Star Wars flick. How was the movie?
How was the movie you saw last week?
How was the movie? Was it as good as the book?

Some alternatives from our editors:

How was the film?
What did you think of the movie?
What did you think of the film?
Did you like the movie?
Did you like the film?

Answer 1

how is the movie

This is not correct. Don't use this phrase.

Answer 2

how was the movie

This is correct

"how is the movie" vs "how was the movie"

how is the movie

how was the movie

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