5 Must-Visit New York City Movie Theaters

Watching a movie in your apartment isn’t as exciting as viewing it on the silver screen. {credit}

If there’s one thing all New Yorkers love – it’s movies.  No one can deny that the city has amazing locations, stars, and stories that make New York City perfect for the silver screen. And the myriad options that New Yorkers have for watching their favorite flicks are even more perfect.  Yes, you can always choose a film from Netflix and watch from your couch, but going to the movies is an event, people! How can you stay home when you have these fabulous movie theaters in NYC?

Nitehawk Cinema
Located in Williamsburg, this cinema mostly focuses on third run and indie films while offering the occasional blockbuster (which, most recently, was Star Wars: The Force Awakens), but the real reason to visit the Nitehawk is for its event programming. Nitehawk’s signature series “Country Brunchin” offers brunch and western films, while “Booze and Books” focuses on film adaptations of great reads. And yes, of course, they offer drinks that you can sip as you watch your movie.

Sip a cocktail a the movies. {credit}

Film Society of Lincoln Center
Their slogan is “film lives here,” and the Film Society of Lincoln Center works hard to live up to its tagline.  Founded in 1969, this society is best known for its two festivals – the New York Film Festival and New Directors/New Films – but also offers international, year-round programming.  No other theater in NYC promises as diverse a slate as the Film Society of Lincoln Center – or the sheer number of events (filmmaker talks, retrospectives, galas, and more) to support the films.

Film lives here.

Landmark Sunshine Cinema
Sandwiched on Houston in SoHo, Sunshine is larger than you would expect once you purchase your ticket from the old-school street booth.  While its focus is on art-house programming, Landmark Sunshine also hosts great events through its film club, which includes Q&As with filmmakers and special event screenings with the Royal Opera House and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Plus – the options for movie snacks are some of the best in New York!

Landmark Sunshine focuses on art-house cinema. {credit}

The Paris Theatre
If you’ve spent the afternoon walking up and down Central Park, rest your feet at the Paris Theatre – a blink-and-you-miss-it theater just south of Central Park and across from the Plaza.  The Paris only shows one film at a time, so your options are limited, but if you hate having to wait at the theater an hour before your film starts, you’ll love the Paris’s ban on queuing in the lobby. As long as you’re there 15 minutes before the movie begins, you’ll be able to snag a (very cozy) seat.

Don’t miss the Paris – across the street from the Plaza Hotel.

IFC
Dying to see a film that’s nearly impossible to find? At some point or another, IFC has probably screened it.  The IFC Center screens a wide variety of movies, from the Academy Award-nominated shorts to sci-fi cult classics, and is known for showing the best in independent film.  Be sure to go early so you can catch the short film that screens before every feature (thanks to its Short Attention Span Cinema series), and take time after your movie to browse the Posteritati Gallery of awesome vintage movie posters.

Love indie flicks? Head to IFC. {credit}

Posted on March 7, 2016

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