The best movie theaters in New York City aren’t hard to find. Some are chains, where you can stop by and catch whatever blockbuster just hit the mainstream, and others are more obscure, screening independent and foreign films in artsy interiors. Whatever you’re looking for, though, you’ll definitely find it in NYC: There are movie theaters across the whole town that you won’t want to miss. For instance: Nitehawk, Angelika Film Center, and Syndicated all offer food service, and places Anthology Film Archives and Museum of the Moving Image provide a unique alternative to major chains. Still not sure where to catch your favorite flicks? The following list – featuring several of the best movie theaters in New York City – can give you a better idea of where to land when it’s showtime.
| Name | Location | Description |
| Nitehawk Cinema | 136 Metropolitan Ave | Part movie theater, part restaurant, Nitehawk takes concession stands to a whole new level. Come here pre-show and order entrees like the fried chicken sandwich or short rib tacos, and stack up on small plates like tater tots or quesadillas during the film. You can write your order down on paper, so no need to feel bad about disturbing guests when ordering food, wine, or beer. This movie theater shows both popular and independent films, and even has series like Stephen King or Anime After Dark to keep up with. Featured screenings include the likes of Landline, The Princess Bride, and more. |
| Syndicated | 40 Bogart St | Syndicated takes the cake when it comes to cult classics and good food. You won’t find new movies here, but instead showings of popular older ones like Pulp Fiction, The Big Lebowski, Harry Potter, or Howard the Duck. This makes Syndicated more of a hangout spot than the place to see whatever is new and hot in the industry, but this and the menu options contribute to the overall hip vibe. Order the House Burger or the Hanger Steak with some signature cocktails like the Blue Velvet or Grey Gardens and just sit back and relax. |
| Museum of the Moving Image | 36-01 35th Ave | Come here a little before your movie to get a debriefing on all things cinema, and then head into the theater for a real experience. Featured films here include selections such as A Space Odyssey, or the Muppets in Space, and the screenings here are always far-ranging in variety and theme. Weekly events where actors and directors discuss their works are also featured, so if you’re a film buff, this is the place to be. |
| Spectacle | 124 S 3rd St | Everything about Spectacle is unique: The movies it shows, the obscure exterior with windows decorated in posters, the fact that it is collectively run by volunteers. If you’re into watching unknown indie films and look forward to finding offbeat hidden gems, this is place for you. Featured series run weekly, and the full schedule is online, but stop by at any given time and see what going on if you like to be surprised. |
| Angelika Film Center | 18 W Houston St | Angelika Film Center has 5 screens, and shows mostly new indie and foreign films. Screenings include films like I Do… Until I Don’t, Brad’s Status, and The Florida Project, but the coolest part about this place is the on-site cafe. It’s perfect for pre-show concessions and coffee, or post-show gatherings. Order a Cafe Au Lait or espresso with some cupcakes or brownies and discuss whatever flick you just saw to make the most of the experience. |
| Paris Theatre | 4 West 58th Street | In a city that has been taken over by art houses and multi-screen complexes, Paris Theatre remains a unique and uniquely old-school option. Art and foreign films are shown here, many times in their native language, but what makes the experience singular is that there really aren’t tons of choices here. Since there’s only one screen, patrons are reverted to the pre-Fandango days. Both Tulip Fever and Victoria and Abdul are the types of films you can expect to see here, but check out the website for more details on the types of flicks to come. |
| Regal Battery Park | 102 North End Ave | Regal Battery Park is often overlooked, but this is actually a good thing when it comes to seeing a movie. You can find the same blockbusters that are premiering at every other chain in the city here, expect in a much less crowded environment. It’s really easy to score a last-minute ticket here, especially when other places are sold out, and you may even have the theater all to yourself. Concessions include classic options like popcorn, nachos, candy, soda, etc. |
| Anthology Film Archives | 32 2nd Ave | Anthology Film Archives isn’t just an ordinary movie theater. In this technology-fueled age, Anthology Film has managed to archive more than 20,000 avant-garde and experimental films. There are screenings almost every day, and you never really know what you’ll find. Anthology Film also offers a NewFilmmakers series, in which up-and-coming NYU film students debut work that hasn’t quite made it into larger festivals yet. |
| The IFC Center | 323 6th Ave | Come to the IFC center to check out the long-running “Stranger Than Fiction” series, which screens a lot of documentaries and short films. Besides this, during day or evening hours, the IFC Center screens exclusively independent and foreign films on all five of its screens. The midnight showings are mostly cult classics, though, with films like The Godfather, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, and Clueless to be enjoyed. The vibe here is also unarguably artsy, as you’ll notice as you find yourself browsing the vintage poster gallery before or after your screening. |
| AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 | 1998 Broadway | AMC Loews was the first IMAX theater in the whole country, and to this day it remains one of the best. There are 600 comfortable seats that you can reserve in advance, so you don’t have to worry about arriving early to find a place to crash. You will have to shell out about $20 for a ticket, but the 3D experience is worth it. Plus, it’s a fun alternative to all the typical independent and foreign films that are shown all over the city. |
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Intrepid intern Christina Elia is currently pursuing her BA in Art History Communications at Fordham University, and writes about various topics ranging from arts and culture to practical tips and how-to advice. She has been published on online platforms such as The Odyssey. You can follow her on Twitter via @stinaelia
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