For everyone who loves going to the movies, the movie theaters in NYC are amazing. There are many great ones throughout the city you can go to.
The movie theaters aren’t only great for seeing a film, but many of them also have beautiful interiors and exteriors. Also, there are many unique ones in the city! I included many kinds of movie theaters in this list to help you find the right one for you. From a great art house movie theater to one that’s in a historic building that used to be a church, you can find it in this list of New York City movie theaters!
Best Movie Theaters in NYC
Roxy Cinema New York
Roxy Cinema is an independent arthouse movie theater that is located in Manhattan.
What’s great is that this is a very intimate cinema. The theater has 118 seats in total, which makes the whole place very small and it gives the movie theater a wonderful atmosphere.
Also, what’s great is that you can see lots of great independent and foreign films at this place. This type of movie can be great to see if you want to see a different type of movie.
What’s great about Roxy Cinema as well is that it is a very historic place with a beautiful interior. This makes going here, even more, a wonderful experience.
Address: 2 6th Avenue Cellar Level, New York, NY 10013
IFC Center
The IFC Center is a lovely art house movie theater in NYC. You can find it in Greenwich Village in Manhattan, and going there is one of the best things to do in Greenwich Village.
The cinema is located in a historic building that used to be a church. However, through the year, a lot of renovations took place to make the movie theater like it is today.
You can go to this place to see very good independent movies that are very interesting to see.
Also, the venue is home to several film festivals that take place here throughout the year.
What’s great is that many other film-related events take place at the IFC Center.
Address: 323 6th Ave, New York, NY 10014
Angelika Film Center
The Angelika Film Center is a small chain of movie theaters that you can find in several places in the United States.
In total, there are 6 locations, and one of the locations is in New York City.
The Angelika Film Center in New York City is located in Greenwich Village in Manhattan.
At this theater, you can see great indie and foreign films. This is a fun type of movie to see!
Moreover, what’s nice is that it is located at The Cable Building.
When you go to the theater at night, you will have an even nicer experience. That’s because the front of the cinema has beautiful lights that you can when it is dark outside. Seeing a movie at the Angelika Film Center is one of the most fun things to do at night in Greenwich Village.
Address: 18 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012
SVA Theatre
You can find this next one of the best movie theaters in NYC in the neighborhood of Chelsea.
You can check out the SVA Theatre when you are in the city.
This is a cultural center that works together with the School of Visual Arts and a variety of other stakeholders.
Throughout the year, you can attend a variety of events here.
For example, there are short film festivals that take place at the SVA Theatre.
Furthermore, you can go here to see premieres of films.
Also, this place organizes events during which you can screenings of animation.
Address: 333 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011
Spectacle Theater
The Spectacle Theater is an independent movie theater that is located in Brooklyn.
This is a cinema that is created by volunteers and it is a very interesting place to visit.
The programming of this place includes screenings of movies that are lesser known. So if you want to discover great new movies, this is the place to go for that.
Also, what’s great is that seeing a film here is a very affordable thing to do. Often, you can see a movie here for only 5 dollars.
Besides movie screenings, there are other events that you can attend at this movie theater.
For example, you can see exhibitions of contemporary art, live performing arts shows, and much more here.
Address: 124 S 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Nitehawk Cinema
You can also check out the Nitehawk Cinema when you are in NYC.
This is a movie theater with several locations in the city.
You can find the cinema in Williamsburg and Park Slope.
What’s great about this place is that it is an independent dine-in movie theater.
This means that you can go here to see a great movie while you can have delicious food and drinks at the same time.
At this place, you can see arthouse, classic, and foreign films. Going here is also one of the most fun date ideas in Williamsburg.
Also, there is a film festival that takes place at the Nitehawk Cinema.
During this annual film festival, you can attend the screening of short films.
Besides that, you can sometimes attend other types of events here besides film screenings.
Address: 136 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Quad Cinema
Quad Cinema is a movie theater with multiple screens that was founded in the year 1972.
This place is located in Greenwich Village and you can find it on West 13th Street.
What’s great about this place is that it is one of the oldest independent cinemas in New York City.
You can see great art house films at this place.
Besides that, this place also screens interesting documentary series that I’m sure you will find interesting.
And what’s great too is that the design of Quad Cinema is very beautiful. There are a lot of modern and round design elements that are lovely to see.
Furthermore, what’s great is that the movie theater has very small screening rooms that make the place very intimate.
Address: 34 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011
Film at Lincoln Center
Film at Lincoln Center is also one of the best NYC movie theaters and this one dates back to the year 1969.
It is a beautiful film center that you can find at the Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts
You can see some of the best independent movies in the world at this place. And in the past, many films by famous directors were shown at Film at Lincoln Center.
What’s great about this place is that you can often see new films here and you likely don’t know about the films that the movie theater shows.
Furthermore, what’s nice about this place is that it hosts a film festival and several other events throughout the year.
Going to Film at Lincoln Center is one of the best things to do on the Upper West Side.
Address: 70 Lincoln Center Plaza #4, New York, NY 10023
Cobble Hill Cinemas
Cobble Hill Cinemas is a small local movie theater chain with several locations in NYC.
In total, Cobble Hill Cinemas has 5 different locations in the city.
At these locations, you can see great independent, foreign, and classic films.
But that’s not all that you can see here!
Besides these interesting types of movies, you can also go to the movie theater to see the latest blockbuster movies.
So whatever type of movie you want to watch, you can go to Cobble Hill Cinemas.
Besides that, what’s great about the locations of this cinema is that they have very comfortable chairs. This makes seeing a movie here a very nice experience.
Also, you can get delicious popcorn and a variety of other snacks here.
Address: 265 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Stuart Cinema & Cafe
The Stuart Cinema & Cafe is one of the best independent movie theaters in Brooklyn.
What’s great about this place is that it is a very small cinema with an intimate atmosphere.
You can see both the newest releases of movies at this place, as well as indie movies.
Furthermore, what’s great is that there is a cafe at the movie theater. Here, you can have delicious drinks and food when you go here to see a movie.
Stuart Cinema & Cafe also makes for one of the best things to do in Greenpoint.
Address: 79 West St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Village East by Angelika
Village East by Angelika is a very historic cinema that dates back to the year 1926.
You can find this movie theater in East Village in Manhattan.
What’s great about this theater is that it has a beautiful Moorish Revival architectural style. This architectural style makes going here to see a movie a wonderful experience.
And what’s interesting is that the building of this place is on the National Register of Historic Places.
In total, there are 7 screens here and that the Angelika Film Center operates the movie theater.
You can see great independent and classic films here, which can be a lot of fun.
Furthermore, because there are 7 screens, there are films playing that you’ll like for sure!
Address: 181-189 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Film Forum
The Film Forum can also be great to visit when you are looking for movie theaters in NYC.
The Film Forum is a great place for non-profit cinema in the city. It is the only non-profit movie theater in the city.
You can find this cinema in Greenwich Village in Manhattan and the place dates back to the year 1970.
So what type of movie can you see at this place? You can go here to see independent and foreign movies.
Also, you can go here to classic movies.
Besides that, there are all kinds of film-related events at the Film Forum that you might find interesting to attend. For example, film festivals take place here.
Address: 209 W Houston St, New York, NY 10014
Cinema 123
Cinema 123 is yet another great movie theater in New York City.
This cinema is a place where you can see mainstream movies, but also a variety of other movie genres.
For example, you can go here to see indie, foreign, and classic movies.
Whatever type of movie you choose to see here, I’m sure that you’ll have a great time at this place.
What’s great about this place, besides the movies, is that it is a very intimate place. That’s also why it makes for one of the best date ideas on the Upper East Side.
Also, what’s great is that the movie theater has reclining seats and all kinds of other features that make your movie experience here fun and comfortable.
Furthermore, Cinema 123 is operated by Angelika, a local organization with several cinemas in NYC.
Address: 1001 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10065
Paris Theater
The Paris Theater is an iconic place for going to the movies in NYC. This place was opened in the year 1948.
The Paris Theater is a single-screen movie theater where you can see art house movies and a variety of other movies here.
What’s great is that, even though it is a single-screen cinema, the auditorium is very large and has room for more than 500 people.
Also, what’s interesting is that the well-known company Netflix operated the movie theater for some time.
Address: 4 W 58th St, New York, NY 10019
Anthology Film Archives
The Anthology Film Archives is an international center that is all about film and video.
This center focuses on preserving, studying, and showcasing films. And the type of films that they focus on are American indie and avant-garde films. Besides that, you can also see other genres of films at this place.
You should definitely go here to see a unique film that you haven’t seen before!
Also, what’s great is that there is a collection of historic objects at the Anthology Film Archives.
For example, you can see books, manuscripts, letters, and a variety of other objects. Its collection is one of the largest of its kind worldwide.
Address: 32 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Metrograph
Metrograph is also great to visit.
This movie theater is an independent one and it has two screens in total. It is a very iconic place that opened in the year 2016 and it makes for one of the best things to do in Chinatown.
What’s great is that you can see both old and new films.
Also, lots of events take place at The Metrograph. For example, the first screenings of movies often take place here.
Furthermore, what’s nice about this movie theater is that you can see very high-quality movies here. You can see 35mm film at this place, which is very nice.
Besides that, there are also screenings of movies in a standard film format.
Address: 7 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
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There are so many great NYC movie theaters. Which one should you choose?
First of all, this depends on what type of movie you want to see. For example, do you want to see the latest movies or do you want to see classic ones?
Also, you can consider whether you want to visit a historic cinema or a more modern one.
Finally, it can be more convenient to go to a museum that is near you to have a more convenient experience. Or you can go to one with a great restaurant nearby where you can have dinner. So the location of the movie theater is also an important factor.
Thanks for reading my guide to the best movie theaters in NYC. I hope you found one you want to visit!