Angeleno’s Guide to L.A.’s Best Cinemas

Greg Vellante

If a film is worth seeing, it’s worth seeing on the big screen. This is the mantra every movie buff should live by, because while technology makes it unbelievably easy to stream HD content on big flatscreen TVs, the experience is incomparable to seeing a movie in a theater. Sitting in the dark as audio surrounds you and larger-than-life images are projected onto a screen makes for a completely immersive cinematic experience.

Yes, the golden days of cinema are nearly gone. Most of the industry has bid a sad goodbye to 35mm film stock and the flickering projectors in exchange for hard drives, digital prints and the soft hum of computer systems. But as technology evolves, movies are still in demand at theaters each week. Here are the best cinemas to explore around the city of Los Angeles, from repertory houses that showcase the classics, and blockbuster-friendly movie houses with mega-sized screens, to discount theaters for those seeking big-screen thrills on a budget.

FOR THE CURRENT:

Audiences have endless options when it comes to seeing new releases on the big screen. Amid a plethora of first-run theaters in Los Angeles, there are certainly a few standouts. The ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood and other ArcLight locations are on the pricier side when it comes to tickets, but the plush seats and spacious theaters more than make up for it. The ArcLight provides quality comfort and entertainment for a great cinematic experience.

Cinemark Theatres also promotes a fine moviegoer environment at a more affordable price. The Cinemark Century 8 in North Hollywood offers student discounts, cheap Tuesdays and personal-favorite Twilight Hours, where all movies shown around 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. are sold at bargain price.

Big-screen experiences are certainly about just that: the big screen. IMAX is an extremely popular viewing platform for big blockbuster films. While 3D is occasionally featured, IMAX is always a fine experience due to the sheer size and stature of the projection screens. The TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood offers the tallest screen available for IMAX viewing, representing a truly towering experience. The next-best option is the Universal CityWalk AMC Theater, the only other true IMAX experience in the city. Be forewarned: Many theaters are guilty of promoting “lie-MAX,” where ticket buyers are suckered to pay an IMAX surcharge even though the screen is hardly IMAX-sized. The Chinese Theatre and Universal CityWalk are your best L.A. options for a true IMAX experience.

FOR THE CLASSICS:

Audiences seeking the nostalgia of 35mm film projection along with a lineup of film classics, repertory programming, and special sneak previews should highly consider becoming members of the American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre and Egyptian Theatre. Membership is fairly affordable and offers year-round discounted access to the Egyptian in Hollywood and Aero in Santa Monica. These two gorgeous movie houses both offer great films each month, often with special guests, sneak previews and other surprises — and 35mm films are highly favored over digital prints. Amen.

Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino is a strong supporter of preserving 35mm prints, he now owns the New Beverly Cinema, one of the oldest revival houses in the region. Dating back to the 1920s, the theater offers double features for $8 to showcase Tarantino’s personal collection of classic 35mm prints while also serving as an exhibition outlet for his new films.

FOR THE INEXPENSIVE:

Regency Theatres is worth mentioning, as its sheer affordability allows theatergoers to see new releases on the big screen. Regency offers second-run films (after they’ve left first-run theater chains) for an extremely cheap price. The Regency Valley Plaza 6 in North Hollywood only charges $3 on most days and a mere $1.50 on Tuesdays and Sundays. Regency will also show films that are currently available for home viewing. For example, The Lego Movie screened for over a month alongside its Redbox release.

These L.A. theaters continually prove that nothing beats seeing a movie on a big screen.