Best sight lines

See a film-not the back of someone else's head.

By Marisa LaScala Mon Mar 1 2010

Best movie theaters in New York City

  • Landmark's Sunshine Cinema

  • Landmark's Sunshine

  • Regal Battery Park (Photograph: Caroline Voagen Nelson)

  • Loews Kips Bay (Photograph: Caroline Voagen Nelson)

  • AMC Empire 25 (Photograph: Roxana Marroquin)

Landmark's Sunshine Cinema



1. Landmark's Sunshine Cinema
Three of the five auditoriums in this theater feature stadium-style seats, and, for the shorties, they're not just in the back half of the room—it's glorious tiers the whole way. 143 E Houston St between First and Second Aves (212-330-8182 landmarktheatres.com)

2. Regal Battery Park Stadium 16
Sure, this theater features your typical multiplex setup, but its out-of-the-way location cuts down on the mob scene enough that you have your pick of the best seats. 102 North End Ave at Vesey St (212-945-4370, regmovies.com)

3. AMC Loews Kips Bay 15
Here, the best screens (like the one in auditorium ten) have stadium-style seats in the back, plus a well-raked front section that's refreshingly not too close to the screen, for those who like to sit up near the action. 570 Second Ave between 31st and 32nd Sts (888-262-4386, amcentertainment.com)

4. UA Kaufman Astoria Cinema 14
Since it has a little bit more room to spread out than its Manhattan counterparts, this Queens multiplex offers nicely sized auditoriums with plenty of stadium seats, so you don't have to elbow other patrons to gain entrance to the only acceptable row. 35-30 38th St at 36th Ave, Astoria, Queens (718-786-1722, regmovies.com)

5. AMC Empire 25
If you can deal with the crowds (or go before noon, when the price is just six bucks), even the tiniest screens here have stadium seats, so you can catch smaller flicks in the sweet megaplex setup. 234 W 42nd St between Seventh Ave and Eighth Aves (888-262-4386, amcentertainment.com)

 

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Best movie theaters in New York City

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