Cinerama

Address:	2100 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
Phone:	+1 206-448-6680
Site:	cinerama.com
Rating:	4.8

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

Charles Cooper

Seattles best movie theater has long been head and shoulders above the competition, but with the 2014 renovations complete, the Cinerama might well be one of the best in the nation. The beauty of this place is both subtle and obvious, technical and aesthetic. For gearheads like me, the new laser projection and Dolby ATMOS sound system set my inner geek a flutter. The theater maintains state-of-the-art equipment for showing movies in all formats, from the latest 2D and 3D blockbusters to classic 35mm, 70mm, and original 3-strip Cinerama films. They even still have a full curtain that opens and closes for the performance. But the real excitement is the attention to detail, and all of the wonderful ways that this place is truly a community theater. Featuring more than just blockbusters but film festivals, local releases, movie marathons, and events. The food is the best anywhere. The venerable chocolate popcorn remains with the addition ice cream, cookies, cup cakes, pretzels and hot dogs from Tom Douglas and Ulis. And there is beer, wine, and cider on tap that you can take into the theater! No silly adults-only drinking area for this place. Once inside, youll find new seats that are more spacious and comfortable. And fewer seats overall means much more legroom. Its possible to actually walk through a row without the people who are seated having to move! It also means there really isnt a bad seat in the house. Even the seats that are close in or at the edge offer a view thats acceptable to all but the most critical among us. The most significant and best change to me is likely the most controversial. The Cinerama has switched to reserved seating. You can buy tickets online, or at the ticket window to save a couple bucks, but when youre buying an assigned seat. So your trip to the theater may require a bit of advance planning if you want a prime seat, especially for the opening week of a hot new release. But what may seem like an annoyance is actually a huge perk. Why? No more waiting in line! You can literally arrive at 7:00pm for a 7:00pm showing and head right to your seat. Boom! Ive been a Cinerama a fan since I was a kid. In my mind, it has always represented the best movie going experience available. This isnt a cramped multiplex full of teenagers, crappy food, and dinky screens. The Cinerama is a classic movie going venue with a giant screen, great seating, and incredible picture and sound. You cant do better anywhere.

Li-Shuan Chen

This is probably the best place to watch movies in Seattle. You not only get to pick your seat, the restaurants around here are all Tom Douglas owned, which means you can have a nice date night. When you first walk in, youll instantly smell the sweetness of chocolate popcorn, which if its your first time here, you need to save room for. I recommend getting the mixed bag as a whole bag is a bit too sweet and leaves you somewhat feeling disgusted with yourself (yes, Ive done this). All the other snacks are mostly locally sourced as well. Paul Allen has restored this place with a 70mm projector and has rotating movie costume props for you to look at. The seats are ultra luxurious as they recline and theres plenty of leg/butt room. Sound quality is Dolby Atmos, offering probably the best sound experience Ive heard in a movie theater. The next best thing would be a $300,000 system Ive heard in someones personal home theater.

Matt W

If youre a local, this will come as no surprise, but if you arent: this is the absolute BEST place to watch a movie in all of downtown. Huge screen, big comfy seats (which you can reserve to find just the right seat ahead of time), a great concession stand and display cases containing props and costumes from popular movies. A couple of months ago they had costumes from the original David Lynch Dune and for the release of the Force Awakens they had several impressive displays such as a one of Darth Vaders costumes and Obi Wans tunic from A New Hope as well as Yodas tunic from Empire Strikes back. The experience is so good locals will often wait quite a while before they see a hot new release just so they can see it at Cinerama first. Several friends and I waited nearly three weeks to see the Force Awakens so that we could see it here (and were huge Star Wars fans). Cant recommend Cinerama enough.

Oremo Ochillo

A friend once told me that they love Cinerama because it is a perfect blend of old and new movie watching experience. On the old side they only play one movie. They have historic memorabilia in a class case in the front. You can smell the delicious popcorn as soon as you walk in the door. And before the movie start the giant curtain covering the screen is pullef open. On the new movie watching experience side you have the fact that they serve beer and wine. You can get the popcorn regular or as this delicious chocolate candy popcorn option. You can reseeve your seats ahead of time online and once you are in the theater there is possibly the largest screen of any theater in Seattle and a killer sound system. Add all of this to the fact that Cinerama is downtown so it is just perfect for one of those dinner, drinks and a movie date nights. This is certainly a must for anyone that loves movies.

DrummerGrrrl

Two words: Chocolate popcorn! OMG! Wow, I have not been in the Cinerama since it was bought and remodeled by Paul Allen. Its wonderful! The movie tickets were not cheap but a friend took me to see "Wonder Woman" and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, the snacks (I still cant get over the genius of chocolate popcorn!), the roominess, the friendliness of the concession area employees, the cleanliness of the bathrooms and of the theater... The only bad thing is the curved screen. Its great to be immersed in the story but I got dizzy and felt nauseated at points in the movie. I had to look away a few times to get my brain "back on an even keel", so to speak. But if youre not one who suffers from that particular affliction, you are golden. I live in Tacoma so I dont get up to Seattle as often as Id like, but maybe I will make plans to visit more often. Especially for...CHOCOLATE popcorn! LOL.

MTMaster

Lets start with seating. The seats are wide and comfortable, with plenty of leg room. You will definitely enjoy your seat during the movie. Next, food. They have a great selection of food, including some nice local food. There popcorn is absolutely delicious. I usually usually get the mixed popcorn, which is half chocolate popcorn and half buttered popcorn. The chocolate popcorn is so delicious, however it is very sweet so I usually get the mixed popcorn to balance it out. They also have cupcakes from Cupcake Royale, which are very good. Finally, the screen itself. The screen is very wide and it is also curved, which makes you much more immersed in the movie. The speaker system is also great. So overall, this place is incredible, and I would give this review more than 5 stars if I could. If anyone is looking for a premium movie experience, I highly recommend the Cinerama.

Robin M

I have 6 movie theaters within walking distance, but this one is absolutely the BEST. BEST digital projection, screen, and sound system. Yeah, theres the Boeing IMAX at PSC, but honestly IMAX is not always the best format for all movies and the set-up at Cinerama is so much better. Concessions are unique and not over-priced! Chocolate covered popcorn mixed with a bit of the regular is the best. You can get beer/wine if you want, they have some other interesting treats as well as normal theater candy and fancy candy choices. And....you can bring your cup of coffee in with you! I went to toss my still 1/2 full cup of coffee before entering last time and they told me not to - bring it on in. :) Go on-line, pick your seat, and come early to enjoy the memorabilia in the lobby, looking at the starry sky ceiling, and then watching a few classic cartoons before the movie begins.