Film-lovers visiting New York City will appreciate the diverse offerings of NYC movie theaters -- whether you're looking to see the latest blockbuster in a special setting, catch classic films on the big screen or view independent films that won't make it to your hometown theater, NYC movie theaters offer something for everyone.
1. Ziegfeld Movie Theater
Opened in 1969 and with over 1,100 seats, it's a popular choice for premieres and gala events, as well as a great place to see an opening-night movie. While you can probably see the movie the movie being shown at the Ziegfeld in your hometown (they tend to feature first-run blockbusters), this single-screen theater seats over one thousand, which can make seeing a movie especially fun.
2. Angelika Film Center
The Angelika Film Center is probably New York City's best-known cinema for fans of independent film and has been screening a diverse mix of films in SoHo since 1989. They also have a lobby cafe making it easy to socialize before or after seeing a movie.
3. Landmark's Sunshine Cinema
Restored and reopened in 2001, the Sunshine Cinema features independent, art-house, and select Hollywood films on five screens in the former Houston Hippodrome movie theater. They're also well-known for serving great popcorn and other concessions.
4. Paris Movie Theater
This single-screen movie theater shows just one film per week and is a relic of days past, with plush seats for nearly 600 viewers. The Paris Theater focuses on both classic and contemporary French films, but features other films as well.
5. Film Forum
The Film Forum showcases both independent and foreign film premieres, as well as reperatory programming. The Film Forum is New York City's only an autonomous nonprofit movie theater.
6. Cinema Village
Cinema Village, with three screens each with seating for 67-156 moviegoers, is the oldest continuously operating cinema in Greenwich Village. Cinema Village offers a selection of independent and foreign films.
7. IFC Center
Opened in 2005 in Greenwich Village's historic Waverly theater, the IFC screens independent, foreign, and documentary films on five screens. In addition, on weekends they screen classic films in the morning and cult movies at midnight.
8. Museum of the Moving Image
Photo by Heather Cross, licensed to About.com
The Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria screens both classic and contemporary movies, featuring more than 400 films a year. In addition to screening films, the museum also features an interesting collection dedicated to the art, history, technique and technology of the moving image. Admission to the museum includes tickets to daily film screenings.
9. MoMA
Timothy Hursley
The Museum of Modern Art features two theaters where they screen a variety of films, as well as an exhibition area dedicated to film. Films shown at MoMA are typically chosen around a theme: perhaps a director, a movement or even just an idea. Tickets to films are included with museum admission.
10. Anthology Film Archives
The Anthology Film Archives was founded in 1969 to establish and showcase the (still incomplete) Essential Cinema Repertory collection. Today it screens 900 programs a year, serves as a film reference library and continues to preserve films.
11. The ImaginAsian
This midtown movie theater showcases Asian and Asian American films.
