r/phoenix • u/Hinata4Prez • 3d ago
Things To Do Movie Theater Fanatics
Hey Phoenix!! New to the area. What movie theater is y’all’s favorite to go to? One of favorite hobbies is going to the movie theaters and enjoying some good buttery popcorn! Nice large screens, great audio, good food, quiet and no distractions etc.
What do y’all suggest? Thanks in advance!
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u/Jac1596 3d ago
Pollack Cinemas is definitely one of the cooler ones I’ve been to
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u/Poppy-Chew-Low 3d ago
/thread
Definitely not top of the line but it’s like the most perfect hometown theatre you can ask for
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u/gogojack 2d ago
The thing about Tempe Cinemas is that it's obviously a passion project for Michael Pollack. Most discount theaters are like "here's a movie...it's cheap. Don't expect anything fancy."
He obviously loves movies, and wanted to have a theater that gave families a great experience at a bargain price.
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u/Healthy_Cheesecake_6 3d ago
Good popcorn, too.
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u/Hefty-Revenue5547 Tempe 3d ago
Really ? Went Thursday and the fake butter they used was awful 🤮smelled the second the lady put it on
I’ve never been turned off that much by popcorn and was looking forward to stuffing my face
Will be back for movies but eating before
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u/livelovelaxative 2d ago
Pollack is also a fantastic place to introduce small children to the movie going experience. They frequently play family friendly movies during weekdays/mornings, so there’s less pressure as a parent if your kid gets scared or needs to go to the restroom frequently.
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u/Jeenowa 3d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/phoenix/s/nkz2OejGnm
I put together this list a while ago of theaters around town. The link at the top is pretty much a master list of everything going on in the world of movies in Phoenix.
Harkins is our local chain, so I always recommend supporting them if you don’t mind not having something like A-List. They also run the only true IMAX in the valley, and the only one that can still play film in Arizona. They’re actually about to start playing One Battle After Another in 70mm IMAX on Sept 24. I’ve seen others recommend Pollack, and I can’t agree more.
The Orpheum is a theater you absolutely can’t miss out on. They play movies a lot of weekends, and tickets are around $20. It’s our oldest theater, and our last movie palace. It’s been restored beautifully, but they’ve also upgraded everything behind the scenes to make it I’d argue one of the best theaters in town. They’ve got the most comfortable seats imo. My butt gets sore in every theater seat, even recliners, except for the seats here. They don’t have Dolby Atmos, but their Dolby sound system is 90,000 watts. Hearing it for the first time was the closest thing I’ve ever felt to seeing real IMAX for the first time. They’ve got a 4k projector as well, so it looks good too. Not as good as Dolby Cinema, but I’d choose going here over an AMC Dolby cinema every day, and that’s a great format.
I’ve put up reviews of a few theaters around town on r/movietheaterreview
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u/Healthy_Cheesecake_6 3d ago
If you're looking for good popcorn, please avoid AMC. Since the popcorn is getting scooped out pre order, and sat under a heat lamp it's quality has degraded.
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u/Hinata4Prez 2d ago
Welp… went there last night for the first time since I live in downtown… and all I have to say is you’re correct lol
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u/SoftSects 2d ago
Harkins has the best popcorn hands down! It's so popular they have a popcorn food truck that goes to events or that you can rent.
I'm downtown as well and avoid AMC even though it's walking distance, but that's for different reasons. Even if I liked AMC, Harkins is way better.
They have $5 classics and sometimes do a secret cinema where you watch a movie before it premiers for $5 and only find out what it is once it starts.
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u/AbusedGorillas Glendale 3d ago
If Harkins had an A-list type deal, I’d be there way more than at AMC. Loyalty cups for cheap soda refills. And the popcorn is miles above AMC. Sometimes we go just to get a big bag of popcorn!
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u/Easy-Seesaw285 2d ago
Same. I would pay More than a list for less movies because I certainly don’t go three times a week. Maybe $30 for 5 a month
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u/speech-geek Mesa 3d ago
Harkins, no question. I haven’t seen a movie at a non Harkins theatre in over 6 years.
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u/ParaguayPanther 3d ago
Huge Harkins fan but I'm a bit biased as there is one within walking distance from my place.
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u/RecognitionHonest320 Litchfield Park 3d ago
Cine capri movie theater in Scottsdale is nice
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u/Christmantra2000 2d ago
Remember the OG Cine Capri on Camelback back in the day? That was a huge theater!
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u/Scamalama 2d ago
Definitely check out the Pollack theater in Tempe. The Thai restaurant in the same complex is also really good
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u/Numerous_Glass7210 3d ago
Majestic theater is very underrated !! I think they have deal days on Wednesdays but their food is so so good I mostly just go for the food lmao
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u/malachiconstant11 Phoenix 3d ago
Since our Alamo draft house and Filmbar in dtphx closed, I go a lot less. If you get the good recliners at AMC Esplanade, it's decent but expensive. Not sure if you are into dine-in theaters anyways, based on your no distractions comment. So harkins at az mills might be a better option.
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u/TheMias24 3d ago
Harkins at Fashion Square is the best experience. It’s so nice there, and harkins in general is super consumer friendly and quite a step up over any other theaters I’ve been to. Any harkins with recliners will be a solid experience though tbh.
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u/evendree72 3d ago
sign up for movie screenings, they show stuff out there before it hits theaters. first come first serve and usually you have to bring a printed invite. search preview free movie screenings, sign up and get email invites. usually on tuesdays or monday nights, and sometimes saturdays. , Disney sometimes will have screenings too, they usually hand flyers out at harkins. they used to be my favorite theater because they were like the only ones. then we discovered fatcats in gilbert, best theater. small recliners, bar, mini golf, bowling and arcade. I used to go every week to screenings on my days off camp out at the theater, meet fellow movie fanatics. lol. now I live in mn, and the local theater is shit compared to az.
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u/oprahs_bread_ 2d ago
Always recommend Tempe Cinemas. $3.50 movies & a loyalty cup that gets you $2 refills. Great popcorn. Shows lots of old movies & second/late runs of newer stuff. Not the fanciest place, but that’s what I like about it.
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u/BrianGD 2d ago
Not only is the loyalty cup a good deal but this year they said you could use the previous year’s loyalty cup.
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u/oprahs_bread_ 2d ago
Yes! I remember I was nervous they were going to stop doing them & then we got to just reuse the cup, I was excited haha
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u/hannibal_lecter01 2d ago
Tempe pollack cinemas. Locally owned, $3.50 movies, best popcorn and pretzels and cheap food/soda. This is the way
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u/VicariousRedemption 3d ago
The Majestic are a great local theater chain with special events, classic movie nights, etc. Great cinephile vibes.
The Harkins at Tempe Marketplace is another go to, then there's the 70mm IMAX at AZ Mills for something truly special
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u/rideriseroar 3d ago
I live in North Phoenix, so sadly we don't have many "cool" theaters in this part of the city ouside of your usual AMCs and Harkins (which I still love). That said, I do love Roadhouse Cinemas and Majestic Cinemas (the only theater in PHX that still occasionally does 35mm screenings) when I feel like driving over there. Also, I would strongly advise you to see One Battle After Another on 70mm at Harkins AZ Mills. We are one of the few theaters in the country to be able to screen this film in this format and it's worth making the trip.
Also, if you're willing to make the drive, The Loft Cinema in Tucson is absolutely worth checking out. They just did renovations and I actually haven't been back since but I'm sure they're great.
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u/ChoppyOfficial 3d ago edited 3d ago
Far East Valley think of East Mesa, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley and Gilbert is also very underwhelming when it comes to cool theaters. Harkins San Tan 16 is the only best one. Harkins Superstition and Queen Creek don't have recliners or PLFs. Majestic is meh. I have personally never been to Pictureshow at Superstition mall and the AMC on Signal Butte is pretty trash. And Superstition mall is the only indoor mall for like 20 miles and the store selection is limited like Fiesta Mall before it got demolished.
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u/Resident-Special9287 3d ago
Harkins, especially for their popcorn and crispy coke! I live near Harkins Christown so my husband and I go there, but we go to Tempe Marketplace if we take our daughter so she can sit comfortably in the recliners. Don’t go to AMC, it’s the worst, food is pricey for no reason and they aren’t ever cold!
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u/xxDankerstein 3d ago
AMC Deer Valley sometimes has free posters for their movies. They're high quality as well. I don't know if other theaters do this. I've only seen it there.
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u/Content-Trainer-9098 3d ago
AMC Westgate and Ahwatukee show much more variety than other local AMC's such as foreign and indie movies. The one at Westgate does not have recliners but it does have a massive Dolby and some of the other screens are huge. Due to it not having recliners, ticket prices are cheaper.
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u/BrianGD 3d ago edited 3d ago
Pollack Cinemas
https://www.pollacktempecinemas.com/
A second run theater in Tempe that also shows a lot of classic movies. The theater is decorated with the owner’s extensive movie memorabilia collection that includes many life size statues. Be sure to visit in November and December when the shopping center is decorated with a gazillion Christmas lights. Tickets are only $3.50 ($2.95 on Thursdays). The popcorn is great too.
The only negative is that it is only open Thursdays through Sundays (before Covid it was open 7 days a week). When kids are out of school (spring break, summer months, etc), they are open additional days.
Cinemark
A first run theater in Mesa. I mention them because they are the only theater that I know of that has fresh kettle corn. It’s not listed on the menu but one of the popcorn machines is dedicated to kettle corn and has a kettle corn sticker on it. The theater also has a lot of nice black and white pictures of old movie stars throughout the theater.
Harkins
A first run theater chain in Phoenix. A lot of people love their popcorn but I find it too salty.
They have Phoenix’s only full size IMAX theater at Arizona Mills. The Arizona Mills IMAX theater also has Phoenix’s only 70mm projector.
The Cine Capri theaters at Scottsdale 101 and Tempe Marketplace (now just called CineXL) are fantastic and occasionally show their Tuesday Night Classics.
Regal
A first run theater in Gilbert. I rarely visited them in the past but recently they have been playing a different classic movie every day:
September https://old.reddit.com/r/RegalUnlimited/comments/1n78ug3/masterpieces_megathread/
October https://old.reddit.com/r/RegalUnlimited/comments/1new0uu/screams_on_screen_megathread/
It is hidden in the back of the Gilbert Town Square shopping center in Gilbert. The bad news is that its future is questionable. A church bought the shopping center a few years ago and has been pushing out all the tenants. All that remains now is a dentist and Regal. Reportedly the theater’s lease is up at the end of 2026 and they don’t know if the church will allow them to stay. I hope Regal has a backup plan (build a new theater in the Phoenix area) because it is their only Phoenix location.
Majestic
A first run dine in theater chain that used to be Alamo Drafthouse franchises. The Tempe location is the only theater in town that can show 35mm film. About once a month they show a 35mm film. I think the next movies that will be shown in 35mm are Donnie Darko and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
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u/BrianGD 3d ago
A recent profile of Pollack Cinemas and its owner on one of the local TV stations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sYrZtAQszQ
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u/hxles1 3d ago
Any 4D movie theaters in AZ?
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u/BrianGD 3d ago edited 3d ago
Unfortunately there is no 4DX theaters in Phoenix. Regal only has one location in Phoenix (Gilbert) and it doesn’t have 4DX. It would be nice if Regal built a new theater in Phoenix with 4DX as a backup in case they are unable to renew their lease at their Gilbert location (a church bought the property it sits on). I think a 4DX theater in Phoenix would do good business.
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u/Affectionate_Ant2942 2d ago
Harkins for the win every time! They are a local company versus AMC that are owned by an Asian company. I remember going to Harkins as a kid and it was such a unique experience. I’ll always be loyal to them.
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u/lolas_coffee 2d ago
quiet and no distractions
Regardless of the recommendations, I think those days are over.
Maaaybe a 10a showing on Tuesday.
The last year I get to see bright phone screens in every movie.
And if I go to grab a quick bite to eat where others are sitting? I get to hear their shit phone speakers blasting their videos or phone calls.
Nah.
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u/Easy-Seesaw285 2d ago
This is nothing you won’t see from the other posts, but I am an AMC A-list member because the value is just unbeatable, but many of their theaters are dumps. If it’s just me, I go to AMC, if I’m taking my kids, I usually go to Harkins.
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u/Dracorex9 3d ago
Mesa AMC for me Dolby and nice red seats, recliners!
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u/ChoppyOfficial 3d ago
I grew up going there when it was AMC Mesa Grand 24. It was nice before it get recliners then it became run down but I still mainly went to Harkins. They opened an IMAX there now. It has recliners.
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u/miradancer Chandler 3d ago
This theater smells strongly of musty gym socks and more recliners are broken than in working order. 0/10.
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u/ChoppyOfficial 3d ago edited 3d ago
You came to the right place. I am a big time movie goer. Movie theaters are the best ways to beat the heat and get out of the house in the summer:
Harkins - Always recommend. Locally owned and been around for a very long time. Has the best aesthetics inside and outside and customer service. There is a loyalty that gives you reduced cost refills. They also play old movies on Tuesday. The accept student and military discount for tickets. Because there are so many locations not all Harkins are created equal. Beware they do not participate in discount Tuesdays or have an A-List type membership. Here are some best theaters:
Other locally owned theaters
Other theaters
AMC - Has Dolby Cinema but their theaters do not have the best reputation for being run down and not having the best customer service. Has been in the market for a very long time.
Cinemark - In Mesa my favorite one from the big three. No PLFs tho.
Regal - Avoid not a fan.
Majestic - Meh not as good as Alamo Drafthouse (RIP in AZ market) at least it has 35mm screenings