The New 400 Theater

6746 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Related:	river ridge mall movies
Address:	6746 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60626, USA
Phone:	+1 773-856-5977
Site:	thenew400.com
Rating:	4.4

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

Daniel Jun Kim

Overall, I like this theater for what it is. But the pros are countered by some considerable cons that may be a dealbreaker for serious filmgoers. First the pros. I dont think youd find a cheaper first-run movie theater in Chicago. In fact, I think youd be hard-pressed to find a first-run theater with such cheap ticket prices in any major metropolis. Its pretty impressive. There also usually arent any issues with projection unlike at the multiplexes where they sometimes do mess up the projection. So just on this basis I do appreciate this place. BUT, next, the cons. This is partly a problem with movie-going culture overall these days so its not entirely unique to the New 400. But too many people who come here dont know how to behave in a theater. They think its their living room. Since nearly all projection is digital now, Im already not getting a big part of the cinematic experience I used to love: film. But, okay, at least I can still enjoy the big screen and the good sound...theoretically. But, no, I cant even enjoy that because people wont shut the heck up. Sometimes, you also get people waiting for their own movie to start who cant just wait for 15 mins. or however long it is and feel the need to come inside your theater and disruptively stand in the back. This is already visually disrupting since I like to sit in the back, but then they also talk sometimes, making it worse. Moving on, the staff is kinda mixed. Some of them are very nice, some are just okay. But I dont care so much about that part. I just want to be able to enjoy a movie the way it was meant to be enjoyed, in silence. Otherwise, why even bother going to the movies when theres Netflix and so much else these days? What could the theater do to help remedy this? Well, there are commercials in the beginning that remind you to turn off your phone. But there are no reminders to PLEASE DONT TALK. (Yes, some people do need to be reminded, unfortunately). I think something like that might help a little. It wouldnt stop everyone from talking but it might deter some people a bit. If it werent for the issues with noise and bad movie-going etiquette on the part of the customers, Id give this place at least four stars - maybe five. What it aspires to be is awesome, but in reality the experience here is something I cant recommend to serious film buffs.

Daniel Guico

Is there such thing as a "dive theater"? Id consider this one... Tiny little theaters (30-40 seats max), full bar, no problem with crowds or that one guy/girl in the front who seems to think their phone wont bother anyone during the movie. As an independent theater, I gotta give them props for keeping the place running. Unfortunately, props only go so far. The two biggest distractions to my movie going experience were the fire exit signs were bright white in a dark theater. Since I was watching The Force Awakens, any scene with a dark background suddenly had a bright spot in the bottom right. I get fire code, but man, I wish you could spend just $40-$50 per theater to get those less-intrusive edge-lit signs (instead of backlit). Youd literally make up the cost in energy savings in a few months. The second was the leaky ceiling. I wouldnt have minded if it was any place other than right in front of where the concessions guy fills the popcorn. All in all, this place is great for a cheap movie close to home, but you are better of going corporate if you want the best movie-going experience.

Christopher Costa

This is a quaint little theater that has undergone lots of renovations. Its not a fancy theater and its pretty OLD SCHOOL, but a decent place to see a movie in the city. Its in the Loyola college area in Rodgers Park and I remember coming here as a kid in the 1980s and its not that much different then it was back then. Yet thats part of the theaters charm I would say. They do serve beer and wine as well as normal snacks, and its usually empty most of the time, or at least not super crowded. Its usually very small in the theaters, so a TIP when you come in to get your ticket is to ask how many seats have been sold so far for that movie. Then you could consider asking about the other 2-3 movies they have playing. I dont like a super crowded theater and why you should consider going to places that let you reserve your seat online! Yet for those old school movie theater lovers, this is a really nice place.

Monica Korsak

The New 400 Theaters is a very nice local theater that recenty went through renovations. I am new to this Theater and I am very impressed. I saw here Divergent and Lucy when they first came out. The seats are very comfy and the size of the theater is just right not to small and not to large. The best part is the bar located at the main lobby. You can get a beer, wine or a mixed drink and the prices are just right. I would recommend that you come early because the theater gets busy and there is sometimes a line outside. There are also few nice places to eat on Sheridan Road and there is Starbucks next door. Parking is on the main street or if you are lucky on side streets, but I recommend taking the red line or the bus which stops pretty much right in front. I am looking forward to going here again I am eyeing the Gone Girl, I hope they have it hear because I want to see it and I want to see it at the New 400.

Eric Forbush

I want to love this place, but they show terrible movies 90% of the time. When you only have 4 screens, thats extremely limiting. I dont understand why they try to pander to a mainstream audience when most of those people would just go to a more mainstream theater anyway. Their point card and free movie tickets are a scam because you can only use them on movies that have been out for at least a week. They claim this is fine because they show all movies for at least a couple weeks, but this is simply not true. I waited a week so I could use my passes to see Concussion, but when exactly one week rolled around the movie disappeared. I asked them what happened and they said "we lost it". What?! Really?! These little annoyances make it so youre just better off going to the theater in Evanston. No point coming here unless you live in the neighborhood like I did.

Eric Forbush

Im downgrading my review from 2 stars to 1, because my original review was cherry picked to make it seem like I thought this movie theater was amazing. Because this theater thinks it is ethical to misrepresent reviews for their benefit, they deserve a 1 star. Here is my original review, with all the positives taken out: cherry pick this. This not an "indy" movie house. They play the worst, most main stream, mind numbingly dumb movies. Occasionally they will decided to show something good, but most of the time they play absolute garbage. Unfortunately, because the movies they show are often so bad, I seldom get to experience all the great things about this place. If ONLY they didnt show 90% terrible movies, this theater would truly be something amazing.

Liz St

First necessary trait for a movie house; great movies! and great sound! Oh, and comfortable seats. (Sure, it may be obvious to you now, but I mean, really! This is rarer than you might think. Sitting for 2hrs or more fully immersed in what Im there for requires an ability to forget my physical surroundings. And THAT can only happen when my toes are not tingling and my butt is not numb!) Then of course, I count a friendly and engaged staff as requirements. And yes, good popcorn too. The _New 400 Theater_ succeeds grandly in all of these! So. Go there. Grab a good hot box of popcorn, settle in to a comfy seat, and lose yourself in something great!