AMC vs Regal vs Carmike

[pc747]

Growing up I remember going to the local Carmike theaters but lately it's either Regal or AMC.

Regal theaters tend to have the more comfortable seats as far as standard but many of the AMC theaters I have been to seem to have the "extras", whether it be a bar area to get a few cocktails before the film, the ability to purchase alcoholic drinks, recliners, etc. But the "standard" seating feels more cramp as to "encourage" buying the recliners seats. And the Carmike theaters I have seen lately seems to be the bottom to last choice.

Now I know that these observations are based on location so I'm curious which theaters seem to be the best for you guys at your location?

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[Sajo]

I don't go to the theater very often, I mostly wait until it's out on DVD / streaming, but my wife and daughters go to the movies quite a bit. They prefer the AMC theater in town. Mainly because of the annual popcorn bucket (saves a lot of $$$) and they feel it's cleaner and more comfortable than the Carmike theater where we live.

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[bkdodger]

I can't remember the last time I went to the movies. It's definitely over 15yrs lol

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[me just sayin]

last time I went to the movies I saw The Da Vinci Code. It was at a Malco

 

[pc747]

Those that haven't been in a while wait for like a blockbuster movie and go to one of these premium theaters. Yeah I know you could save money on the couch but you miss out of the group interaction (the oohs, aaahhhhs, and hahas).

Many of these premium theaters make it worth it and bring the home feel with the going out with the family atmosphere. Plus they are less tolerant of the "disruptive".

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[me just sayin]

the problem with theaters in my area is the closet one is about an hour away and it is just a Malco in a college town. It would be nice if there were premium theaters available - maybe I would go again. In the meantime I been getting the latest movies on dvds or netflix and watching from a recliner with cheap popcorn and dr pepper.

 

[pc747]

the problem with theaters in my area is the closet one is about an hour away and it is just a Malco in a college town. It would be nice if there were premium theaters available - maybe I would go again. In the meantime I been getting the latest movies on dvds or netflix and watching from a recliner with cheap popcorn and dr pepper.

Good point, and no matter how premium a theater not worth the hour trip, especially with you having to drive back afterwards.

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[CTownDroid]

AMC here, the reclining love seats and reserved seating are the top 2 reasons. Highly unlikely to ever go to a non- reserved seating theatre anytime soon. The fact they are the most reasonably priced doesn't hurt either.

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[me just sayin]

AMC here, the reclining love seats and reserved seating are the top 2 reasons. Highly unlikely to ever go to a non- reserved seating theatre anytime soon. The fact they are the most reasonably priced doesn't hurt either.

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out of curiosity , how much is a movie ticket to a AMC with that type of luxury

 

[IIGood]

Not a big theater-goer here either...although any Star Wars movie is a "must see in theaters" for me. But have been to the theater a few times in the past few months however.

Around here, we've got AMC, Regal, or Bow Tie. I went to see Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and Wonder Woman with some friends at the big fancy AMC theater about an hour away in northern Virginia. Nice theater with the reserved seating, reclining seats, 4D experience, IMAX, etc. Tickets there are pretty pricey too...I think I paid $19 each for a 2 pm Saturday showing.

Closer to home here in Annapolis, the 2 theaters are both Bow Tie. The newer theater of the two was originally built with stadium seating so that was a big deal when it first opened up. Does not have IMAX. This theater is in the Annapolis Mall. Last week my girlfriend and I went there with her niece and nephew and discovered that they are in the process of overhauling the auditoriums and converting them to the reclining seats with little tray tables and reserved seating. Still no IMAX or 4D though. No biggie. Ticket prices have of course increased but only by $2. So the matinee show we went to see that day was now $10.50 and a regular showing would be $12.50 (for standard movie, no 3D). I heard that the other Bow Tie theater "across town" is also converting to the new stadium reclining setup...which will be a pretty impressive feat since that theater was built the old-school way back in the early '90s.

To me, it doesn't make a difference which cinema company is which. I'm not picky...I do at least prefer the stadium-seating now though. And now, being able to reserve your seats is nice too.

 

[CTownDroid]

out of curiosity , how much is a movie ticket to a AMC with that type of luxury

A regular movie "Digital" is $11 while "Real 3D" is $13.

While a Regal at the popular shopping center is $12 for a movie and almost $20 for their "IMAX" which isn't a true IMAX theater.

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[pc747]

A regular movie "Digital" is $11 while "Real 3D" is $13.

While a Regal at the popular shopping center is $12 for a movie and almost $20 for their "IMAX" which isn't a true IMAX theater.

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Yeah I went to a Regal theater once that tried to do that. They advertised IMAX and then once the movie started the curtains came down and you got a message that said "IMAX experience like in standard format" or something like that. Yeah people walked right out to the ticket counter demanding a refund as they were charging IMAX money for a standard movie ($21+ vs $11). I haven't been back to that particular theater.

I will say that yeah you are paying a premium for the reserved reclining love seats but if you have the money to spend it is worth it. At first I didn't like the reserve seating concept when it first came out and in instances where it is standard stadium seating I at times don't see the value, but with the reclining seat, yup. To me it just adds to the experience of a good movie/blockbuster. I would not pay that type of money for every movie I see in the theater. Movies that I saw that got a lot of buzz but are not "blockbusters" (ie docudramas) I'll do the standard seating matinee if I don't just wait for it to come to digital. Which most of the time if they are not a blockbuster type movie Ill just wait for it to go digital and catch it via Google Play movie.

 

[pc747]

By the way I will say for the most part I am a little liberal when it comes to phones in theaters. I mean I understand at times people have kids, family, etc and may have to send a quick text or 2. And I really don;t care if you text through the entire movie. But this is where I have an issue. With people paying more for movie tickets now, I ask for a little courtesy in silencing your phone and turning the brightness all the way down where it is not disturbing me.

I was seeing Spiderman HC and I chose the standard seating as this was a second viewing. Someone took their kid or grandkid and I can understand them not really being interested as they may have considered it a kid movie. But I was having to hold up my hand and/or use my body to turn to shield from their phone brightness being all the way up while they was on the phone texting through the entire movie.

For me that reminded me the reason I choose premium because in most premium theaters an usher would be all over that real quick. But in the standard theater less so and man I wanted so bad to say something but did not want it to turn into a drama situation that ruins everyone else's experience.

Moral of the story: Please show proper theater etiquette.

 

[me just sayin]

I wonder how people went to the theater before mobile phones came into existence. Most likely they actually sit back and enjoyed the movies.

 

[Sajo]

I wonder how people went to the theater before mobile phones came into existence. Most likely they actually sit back and enjoyed the movies.

Wait a minute....are you saying that movie theaters existed before there were smartphones? That's just crazy-talk.