We are going to be in LA not long after the new Harry Potter movie comes out and may want to watch it while we are out there if we haven't seen it already before we go. What would the best theater to see it? Reserved seating is a must, cause if we are going to do this, I'm going to want good seats and hot have to get there 30+ minutes earlier to get centered. I'd like IMAX, but am fine with something else if its a unique experience. I'd want something I can't get at your average theater across the country. Area of town pretty much doesn't matter as we'll have a car, but if theres entertainment/restaurants with good nightlife around it, that's a plus. In my quick search, I've kinda leaned towards either Arclight, Ipic, the Chinese Theater, or El Capitan. Any locals who can make a recommendation?
Best Movie theater in LA?
- Thread starter fsjking
- Start date
ImDMous
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2011
I've been to Arclight and the El Cap. The El Cap is an old theater. It's historic and the Ghirardelli Disney shop is pretty cool, but the last time I went the seats were still very old, small, and squished together. Hollywood Blvd is not somewhere you want to be after dark really. The Arclight is pretty awesome, but we have several theaters near us with reserved recliners, a bar, and in seat dining so it's not something out of the ordinary. If you don't have that near you, Arclight is a great choice.
We have theaters with the in seat dining and drinks, so that's not a new thing for us.
theluckyrabbit
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2012
I think the El Capitan only shows Disney animated/Disney produced movies. Are there still IMAX theaters at CityWalk? (There used to be.) Since Harry Potter is at USH, CityWalk might be a fun place to see the movie. We used to like the Arclight until our last experience there. Paid top prices for prime seats to see "The Force Awakens," only to have a totally obnoxious family sit next to us and disturb us through the whole movie. Ruined it for us. The ushers couldn't re-seat us because there weren't enough seats together to find us another spot. So reserved seating isn't everything.
Are you referring to Fantastic Beasts, or the HP re-release of the other 8 movies? El Capitan won't get a HP movie. In November they'll have Dr. Strange, followed by Moana. TCL doesn't announced which theater a movie will be in until the tickets go on sale. I don't really see the point in going to just the regular theaters there, unless you're staying in the area. The only real IMAX in the LA area is at the Edwards at Ontario Mills. Lots of theaters do assigned seats, where in the LA area are you staying? I'd start by looking at the closest theater to see if advanced tickets are on sale, if you want to go opening night.
If you want to go to a cool old theater, check out The Egyptian, but it won't be a first run movie.
If you want to go to a cool old theater, check out The Egyptian, but it won't be a first run movie.
StageTek
It's kind of fun to do the impossible.
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2007
Chinese is Imax and has reserved seating. The best theater in Los Angeles.
Keep checking their website to get the seats you want on the day you want.
Don't worry about Hollywood after dark. In the past that was an issue but
over the last ten years Hollywood Blvd from La Brea (on the west) to Vine
(on the east) is a hopping place for tourists and even locals. It's MUCH
safer than the old days.
Keep checking their website to get the seats you want on the day you want.
Don't worry about Hollywood after dark. In the past that was an issue but
over the last ten years Hollywood Blvd from La Brea (on the west) to Vine
(on the east) is a hopping place for tourists and even locals. It's MUCH
safer than the old days.
I had forgot about the Imax at Citiwalk. We are staying next door at the Hilton for part of our trip, so that would definitely be the most convenient option. And looking at El Cap, I think you are right. With Moana coming out right then, that's certain to be what they are showing.
I'm talking about FB. We aren't looking at opening night. It'll have been out a couple weeks when we are in town, so getting tickets shouldn't be a problem. We'll be staying by Universal during this part of the trip, but will have a car. I'm not against making a little bit of a drive for the right experience, but probably not all the way out to ontario.
I'm leaning Chinese theater just to say I've seen a movie there, so it's good to hear the nightlife around there isn't too bad.
Thanks everyone
Epek
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2013
The AMC in CityWalk is undergoing some very nice rennovations right now. They're putting in those huge recliner seats and has assigned seating. If you want to stay with convenience, it's not a bad choice. But, the Chinese theater is great too! And, for convenience, you can take the redline across the street from your hotel just one stop away. The Arclight is just the next stop after the Chinese theater on the redline, so that would be another good choice.
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