MOVIE PARTY IDEAS
A slightly glamorous, family‑friendly movie night that leans into Pretty Woman’s Hollywood shopping, hotel, and opera moments: simple red-and-gold decor, boutique-style favors, popcorn + chocolates, nonalcoholic sparkling drinks, and themed trivia with a pearl necklace prize.
Party Setup
- Schedule: allow 30–40 minutes for set-up, 15 minutes for a short intro & snack run, the movie runtime (~2 hours), then 10–20 minutes for trivia/prize and winding down.
- Seating: arrange a central 'theater' seating area with cushions/blankets and a small side table for snacks/drinks. Put the clapboard prop and a rose garland near the viewing area to create a photo corner.
- Lighting: dim main lights; place the red rose garland and a few low-wattage lamps or candles to give a warm, romantic glow (safe battery tealights recommended).
- Music pre-show: play the film soundtrack or early-90s soft pop while guests arrive to set the era/mood.
- Serve: have popcorn popped and in a communal bowl; chocolates in a small dish; drinks chilled and accessible. Announce the trivia rules before the end credits so guests can pay attention throughout the movie.
Snack Attack
Individually wrapped chocolate squares (small bag)
Small individually wrapped gourmet chocolates give a touch of luxury (jewelry-and-shopping motif) without large cost.
Estimated price: $6.00
Mini boutique-style paper shopping bags (pack)
Mini shopping-bag style treat containers double as themed table decor (Rodeo Drive / boutique shopping reference) and hold a favor each.
Estimated price: $4.00
Red artificial rose petals (bag)
Scattered faux rose petals add immediate romantic / haute-designer glamour (echoes Vivian's red dress and romantic tone) at very low cost.
Estimated price: $5.00
Sip & Screen
Sparkling mineral water (6-pack)
Non-alcoholic sparkling option that feels upscale (fits the Beverly Hills / hotel scenes) and serves as a versatile mixer or standalone beverage.
Estimated price: $5.00
Popcorn kernels + simple seasoning
Movie-night staple — inexpensive, shared, and pairs with the film’s cinema vibe; inexpensive kernels keep the budget low.
Estimated price: $3.00
Set the Scene
Mini wooden movie clapboard prop
A small clapboard gives an immediate movie/behind-the-scenes vibe and works as a selfie/entry prop without costing much.
Estimated price: $8.00
Take It Home
Mini red lipsticks (set for 6)
Small red lipstick favors nod to Vivian’s signature makeover/ lipstick-moment and are consumable, inexpensive, and fun for guests.
Estimated price: $7.00
Play to Win
Faux pearl necklace (giftable prize)
A pearl necklace feels like a luxe, movie-appropriate prize tied to the jewelry and makeover moments — flattering for a trivia winner.
Estimated price: $7.00
Movie Trivia
Spoiler warning: Trivia may reveal plot details.
- At the start of Pretty Woman, what is Vivian Ward’s job?
- Hotel front-desk clerk
- Prostitute/escort
- Actress
- Department-store sales clerk
Show answer
Prostitute/escort
The movie begins with Vivian working on Hollywood streets as a sex worker; Edward hires her to be his escort during his Los Angeles stay.
- In which city does most of the story take place?
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- New York
- Chicago
Show answer
Los Angeles
Most of the film is set in Los Angeles — Vivian lives/works in Hollywood and many scenes (Rodeo Drive, Beverly Wilshire exterior, Edward’s downtown office) are in Los Angeles.
- Which Roy Orbison song inspired the movie’s title and appears on the soundtrack?
- Oh, Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison)
- It Must Have Been Love (Roxette)
- Wild Women Do (Natalie Cole)
- I Think I’m in Love (new song)
Show answer
Oh, Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison)
The film’s title and soundtrack use Roy Orbison’s song “Oh, Pretty Woman.”
- On which famous upscale shopping street does Vivian make a triumphant return?
- Rodeo Drive
- Fifth Avenue
- Melrose Avenue
- Sunset Boulevard
Show answer
Rodeo Drive
After her makeover and a formal shopping trip, Vivian returns to the upscale shopping street to prove the sales staff wrong — that street is Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
- Which opera do Edward and Vivian attend together in the film?
- La traviata
- Carmen
- Madama Butterfly
- The Magic Flute
Show answer
La traviata
Edward takes Vivian to a performance of La traviata, an opera whose plot about a prostitute who falls in love parallels the film’s story.
- What is the name of Vivian’s best friend and roommate?
- Kit De Luca
- Elizabeth Stuckey
- Susan Morse
- Anne Thompson
Show answer
Kit De Luca
Vivian’s roommate and best friend in the film is Kit De Luca, who appears early on and provides both comic moments and street‑wise perspective.
- What color dress does Vivian wear to the opera scene?
- Black cocktail dress
- Red evening dress
- White sundress
- Blue pantsuit
Show answer
Red evening dress
One of Vivian’s most memorable looks in the film is the red evening dress she wears to the opera and to the theater box scene.
- What is the name of Edward’s lawyer/associate who appears in the film?
- Barney Thompson
- David Morse
- Philip Stuckey
- James Morse
Show answer
Philip Stuckey
Philip Stuckey is Edward’s lawyer/associate in the film; Jason Alexander plays that character.
- In which year was Pretty Woman released?
- 1988
- 1989
- 1991
- 1990
Show answer
1990
The film was released theatrically in March 1990 and is widely cited as a 1990 release; it made Julia Roberts a major star.
- What is the name of the Beverly Wilshire hotel manager who interacts kindly with Vivian?
- Barney Thompson
- Philip Stuckey
- James Morse
- Dennis
Show answer
Barney Thompson
Héctor Elizondo plays Barney Thompson, the friendly Beverly Wilshire hotel manager who looks after Vivian when she first goes to the hotel desk.
Host Notes
- Play the film at the listed runtime and save the trivia game for after the credits begin so everyone who wants to can pay attention to closing-credit cues.
- Keep receipts and buy store-brand equivalents if an Amazon product total runs high — the plan is intentionally frugal and flexible.
- For safety and family-appropriateness: use battery tealights instead of open flames; keep breakables (glass decorations) out of the main seating area.
- If you want a small adult-only drink option, offer a single bottle of chilled prosecco from a grocery store (not included in the $50 budget).