What better way to beat the summer heat than with a trip to the cinema? Here's your star map of New York theatres with storied histories, architectural gems displaying remnants from bygone eras, and venues boasting rare movie screenings—all to boost your sensory experience, of course.
Angelika Film Center:
Occupying nearly half of the block on Houston Street, the Angelika Film Center has been a Soho institution—as well as that of the film community—since its 1989 inception. The lobby also serves as the open-to-the-public Angelika Café, which prides itself on working with New York-based suppliers (expect to find pastries, gourmet foods, and beverages from Tisserie, Sacred Chow, Porto Rico Importing Co.).
Tip: The concession stand offers one free refill on large popcorn.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Woody Allen’s Magic in the Moonlight (starring Colin Firth and Emma Stone), opening July 25, and The One I Love (starring Elisabeth Moss and Mark Duplass), opening August 22.
18 West Houston Street
New York, NY 10012
Village East Cinema:
Originally intended to house live theatre, the space opened in 1926 as The Yiddish Art Theatre—an elaborate 1,265-seat space accented with the Moorish Revival decor that is still present. After many reincarnations, in 1992, the theatre was converted into its current state, a seven-screen movie theatre offering cross-the-board programing: commercial blockbusters, independent films, and extended runs of films that open at the Angelika (the sister theatre of Village East Cinema).
Tips: Village East Cinema offers “Wake Up at City Cinemas”—offering 50% off on all showings before noon (tickets will cost you $7.50), and “Student Tuesdays” where every Tuesday, a valid student ID gets you a $7 ticket plus free popcorn.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Very Good Girls (starring Dakota Fanning, Elizabeth Olsen, Boyd Holbrook, Demi Moore) opens July 25.
181 - 189 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10012
Ziegfeld Theatre:
Now part of the Bow-Tie Cinema umbrella, the Ziegfeld Theatre is a storied space that instantly transports you to the golden age of film. The lavish, chandelier-accented space features 1,131 seats, plush red-velvet interiors, gilded filigree decor, and is self-touted as “New York City’s last remaining large single-screen movie theatre.” Not surprisingly, the space often hosts invite-only red-carpet events and premieres.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 3-D opens this Friday.
141 West 54th Street (btwn 6th & 7th Avenue)
New York, NY 10019
Sunshine Cinema:
The vibrant yellow oversize signage of Sunshine Cinema beckons those who pass by on Houston Street. Built in 1898, the former home of the Houston Hippodrome (and a Yiddish vaudeville house) later spent nearly 50 years in closure, storing hardware parts. The building now features a Japanese rock garden, glass annex, and five state-of-the-art screens. Films are primarily art-house and independent, and the theatre often hosts premieres, panels, and events with the teams behind the films.
Tip: Every Friday and Saturday at midnight (the “Sunshine at Midnig
Angelika Film Center:
Occupying nearly half of the block on Houston Street, the Angelika Film Center has been a Soho institution—as well as that of the film community—since its 1989 inception. The lobby also serves as the open-to-the-public Angelika Café, which prides itself on working with New York-based suppliers (expect to find pastries, gourmet foods, and beverages from Tisserie, Sacred Chow, Porto Rico Importing Co.).
Tip: The concession stand offers one free refill on large popcorn.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Woody Allen’s Magic in the Moonlight (starring Colin Firth and Emma Stone), opening July 25, and The One I Love (starring Elisabeth Moss and Mark Duplass), opening August 22.
18 West Houston Street
New York, NY 10012
Village East Cinema:
Originally intended to house live theatre, the space opened in 1926 as The Yiddish Art Theatre—an elaborate 1,265-seat space accented with the Moorish Revival decor that is still present. After many reincarnations, in 1992, the theatre was converted into its current state, a seven-screen movie theatre offering cross-the-board programing: commercial blockbusters, independent films, and extended runs of films that open at the Angelika (the sister theatre of Village East Cinema).
Tips: Village East Cinema offers “Wake Up at City Cinemas”—offering 50% off on all showings before noon (tickets will cost you $7.50), and “Student Tuesdays” where every Tuesday, a valid student ID gets you a $7 ticket plus free popcorn.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Very Good Girls (starring Dakota Fanning, Elizabeth Olsen, Boyd Holbrook, Demi Moore) opens July 25.
181 - 189 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10012
Ziegfeld Theatre:
Now part of the Bow-Tie Cinema umbrella, the Ziegfeld Theatre is a storied space that instantly transports you to the golden age of film. The lavish, chandelier-accented space features 1,131 seats, plush red-velvet interiors, gilded filigree decor, and is self-touted as “New York City’s last remaining large single-screen movie theatre.” Not surprisingly, the space often hosts invite-only red-carpet events and premieres.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 3-D opens this Friday.
141 West 54th Street (btwn 6th & 7th Avenue)
New York, NY 10019
Sunshine Cinema:
The vibrant yellow oversize signage of Sunshine Cinema beckons those who pass by on Houston Street. Built in 1898, the former home of the Houston Hippodrome (and a Yiddish vaudeville house) later spent nearly 50 years in closure, storing hardware parts. The building now features a Japanese rock garden, glass annex, and five state-of-the-art screens. Films are primarily art-house and independent, and the theatre often hosts premieres, panels, and events with the teams behind the films.
Tip: Every Friday and Saturday at midnight (the “Sunshine at Midnig