Some of the most well-known independent theatres:

- IFC (Manhattan) - mostly older movies, lots of international options

- Metograph (Manhattan) - similar to IFC, they're currently running three episode batches of Twin Peaks: The Return

- Film Forum (Manhattan) - great for restorations/35mm

- Angelika (Manhattan) - multiple locations, Village East is my favorite because it's gorgeous. More focused on currently running movies.

- Nitehawk (Brooklyn) - two locations (Prospect Park and Williamsburg.) Also focused more on currently running movies, but they do fun brunch/midnight showings of older movies.

- Syndicated (Brooklyn) - I believe the original sit and serve, at least in Brooklyn. My favorite for food and drink. There's only one screen behind a bar/eating area, so the shows are more limited, but it's perfect for hanging out afterwards. They tend to get newly released movies just after their initial run is over, so good place to check if you miss something you want to see. Also does special showings of TV events, like the Oscars.

Additionally, the Alamo (Manhattan, Brooklyn, SI) season pass is worth if you see movies multiple times a month, though YMMV with the food/service. Since that's not the main draw for me, it doesn't bother me, but I know other pass holders feel differently currently.

Finally, theres's also the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, which has some great historical exhibits along with screenings.

Lincoln Square typically gets the best live Q&As over Empire and 34th St. They are also the choice for movie premieres in nyc but those passes are from 1iota or gofobo.

Lincoln Square is famous for its IMAX screens and being the only (major corporate) chain theater in the city with 70mm projection.

Other than that, the other screens are run of the mill of what you could experience at other chain cinemas. The audience tends to be (generally with exceptions) more mature than what you would get at Empire.

Also with the exception of Dolby, no recliners so that’s a bummer for most people.

Best Dolby is Empire. Though Lincoln has the distinction of having balcony seating in their Dolby. (Old theatre)

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Museum of the Moving Image. Their big screening room is great. Small one isn't bad.

I've never seen anyone on their phone there.

Film Forum is a close second, but occasionally you'll get an old person who talks or audibly reacts to everything or doesn't know how to silence their phone.

Nitehawk. Great sound and the large theaters are fantastic.

Alamo Drafthouse. They don’t let you into the theater more than 10 minutes after the movie starts, and using your phone inside can get you kicked out. 10/10

Nitehawk.

LOOK Cinemas is great - it's in pretty much Siberia (W57th all the way by the river) so it doesn't get walk-ins or tourists. Comfy seats, decent food, great screen and sound and rarely is the theater full.

Other suggestions: Wicked- try BK2OZ discount code Moulin Rouge - ROUGEMAIL should be a valid discount code

I personally didn't care for Moulin Rouge but it is a splashy show.

Hadestown

The lion king is the most amazing creative musical on Bway. And it’s familiar source material.

If it’s your first date, don’t do it. I recently went to Hamilton and it was great. However, my date is also my gf that I’ve been with for over a year. It’s a good experience, but it’s always better to get to know the person on the first date.

That's definitely more than I would pay even though I love Rob McClure. Personally my recommendation would be for Hadestown.

How about an actual movie theater?

Movies? Someone else’s house

A public library? A coffee shop?

Library, bring laptop and share headphones.

There is a quiet little tunnel in between park Avenue and Vanderbilt. Under the helmsley building. Some foot traffic but it's still quiet and peaceful and safe. Squat and watch lol

Maybe 8 Bit Bites? It’s video game themed and there’s one on 7th Ave, between 21st and 22nd.

I've had some fun audiences at the Empire 25. It's usually at the opening night of a very anticipated movie, and it's usually in Theater 1. The audience is excited, but they're never disruptive, which is perfect. I have heard stories about people having not great experiences at the Empire, so I can only speak for myself.

I've had some amazing audiences at the Lincoln Square IMAX. I watch every Marvel movie there. I saw both Infinity War and Endgame there, and those might be two of the greatest moviegoing experiences of my life. Nothing will ever match watching those movies for the first time with a hyped opening night crowd.

I should note that, to get the crowd you're looking for, you've got to go opening night. Anyone who's showing up to see a movie opening night is going to be excited for it.

It’s kind of hard to gauge but I know from my personal experience that Empire 25th is the theater that I got actual reactions to when watching Star Wars. I went there for The Force Awakens and camped outside the theater with my mom and a bunch of strangers in a line for hours so we could get the good seats. I also went there last year with my mom for the May The 4th 24 hour marathon and the energy in that theater for the entirety of the prequels was electric, clapping at the first appearance of any character, cheering when it turned midnight and someone screamed “It’s past midnight guys, May The 4th be with you!”, going to the balcony in the middle of the night and seeing people with light sabers, seeing people in cosplays, etc. The energy and experience with the audience was amazing.

With that being said those events do have an inherent bias seeing as the force awakens was the first Star Wars in over a decade and the brand still had a very good will, and the 24 hour marathon is something only die hard fans would do so we all have a deep love for it. Also to mention that it is the Times Square location which only really gets “trumped” by Lincoln square and even then that’s more deep for people that have appreciation for the IMAX and lesser known Indy movies.

I personally am going to Empire not only because of those reasons but also because it’s my most frequented theater and RotS isn’t being shown in Dolby or IMAX but it is being shown in Prime and Empire is the only theater in NYC to have a Prime (Same sound system as Dolby but no Dolby vision).

I’m going to be going with one friend who’s only actually watched the original trilogy and another friend who hasn’t watched any Star Wars. If the theater is one that wants to stay quiet I’ll respect that, if not and others are having fun and clapping I’m not going to fully silence myself. In the end it’s all about responding appropriately to the energy given off by everyone else (maybe clap during the Nicole Kidman intro to gauge audience irritation 🤔 /s)

P.s: I’ve noticed that with the recent trend of reacting during the Minecraft movie people didn’t tend to do so in IMAX/Dolby screens. My thought is that people who want to do so don’t want to pay the heavy up charge for the premium format and probably aren’t A-list members so they pay for the regular ticket. So maybe if you want a reaction audience don’t go for Prime but I have no actual proof of that.

Lincoln Square (especially the IMAX) tends to have a fun audience for the big highly anticipated movies like those from Marvel.

The best, most fun theaters are the ones where the patrons respectfully silence and put away their cell phones, keep their feet firmly planted on the ground, and shut the fuck up.

Every time I go to Lincoln Square imax people cheer when Nicole Kidmans intro comes on

The Alamo in Brooklyn (skip the lower manhanttan and staten island Alamos)

In terms of NYC movie house history, the Lincoln Square AMC (formerly Loews) was built to honor the old Loews movie palaces.

If you have a chance to wander around, you can see callbacks to those buildings.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AMCsAList/comments/1ex38w1/fun_fact_amc_lincoln_square_13_retains_the_former/

Depends what you mean by experience.

The LC IMAX is one of the biggest real IMAX screens in the entire world, so in terms of pure technology that’s easily the answer. Just make sure to sit in the last row maybe next-to-last unless you love craning your neck at a brutal angle.

The Dolby Cinema screen in the same theater is also really legit in a huge room with two levels, and that room has big reclining seats which to me can sometimes make for a more enjoyable experience, but goddam that IMAX is something else.

For indie/art house theaters the Film Society at Lincoln Center is one of the more newly built/renovated indie theaters and has great screens, seats, facilities, and programming, but it is a little sterile and maybe lacking some character.

IFC Center is pretty iconic and probably has the most screens of the indie theaters, and seeing a classic movie at midnight has a much more unique vibe than a 6:30 showing of the hit first-run movie.

LC Imax is your answer for sure.

Alamo Drafthouse has recliners and you can order food and drinks during the movie

The Downtown Brooklyn location is the best, but the Lower Manhattan one is good, too

Definitely the most comfortable option but not necessarily “grand” or “exciting”

I'm a huge fan Broadway fan, but making an equivalency between 2 world class art museams and that tourist trap is wild.

If you want to relax somewhere warm and have a snack go see Wicked at the IMAX at Lincoln square.

Check out the bryant park Christmas market and the rockefeller center tree

Rockettes have a 2 pm and 5 pm show.

Walk the High Line! It’s free, and great for people watching and a fun way to spy into people’s living rooms 🤣 also it’s near Chelsea Market—lots of great cafes/restaurants/boutiquey shops to check out and grab a bite before the show. It’s about a 13 min subway trip to the theater from there.

Have fun and enjoy the show!!!! I went last month and it was sooooo good!!!