The best dine-in movie theater options in Los Angeles
Upgrade your stale popcorn and flat fountain drinks for a gourmet cinematic experience at a dine-in movie theater in LA
Dinner and a movie is a tradition as old as the cinema itself. Then one day some genius somewhere cut the middleman and combined the two. Voila! The dine-in movie theater was born. Sure, it’s not like Los Angeles is lacking places to see a movie—there are plenty of traditional theaters as well as outdoor movie spots—but sometimes you just want a little more of an experience than paying $15 to sit in a dark, dingy room for two hours. Most dine-in theaters are more expensive (tickets alone usually run in the $25 range) but the theaters like to throw in added perks like reclining seats and free popcorn. So check out one of these dine-in theater spots and up your movie-going experience forever.
Dine-in theater options in LA
iPic Theaters Westwood
With two LA locations in Westwood and Pasadena, iPic theaters set the standard for a dine-in movie-going experience. The price of admission allows access to food and beverage service, as well as a pillow and blanket at each of the theater’s plush, reclining seats. The theaters are clean and the perks are a treat, but expect to shell out for the chance to watch a film in luxury—tickets for non-members run at about $25.
Cinepolis Westlake Village
This spot offers everything you would expect at a dine-in theater: seats that recline all the way back, waiter service at the touch of a button and, unfortunately, exorbitant prices. If you can get past spending more than $5 for water, you can enjoy—as the name suggests—the full, luxury experience. The menu features items including sliders, tacos, paninis and lobster rolls. Tickets for the movie only, are about $22 for adults.
Cinemark Reserve at Playa Vista
Perfect for a movie following a long day soaking up the sun at the beach, this theater (which opened in March of 2015) is a newer addition to the LA theater canon. It’s located just a short drive away from, and serves as direct competition for, the AMC Dine-in Theatres Marina 6 in Marina Del Rey. Unlike the AMC, you won’t find seat-side service here, but you will find a full restaurant and cocktail menu, which you order at the concession stand and bring over to your seat. Tickets here will range from $14 for a child to $20 for adults.
AMC Dine-in Theatres Marina 6
Don’t let the fear of this being any old AMC theater deter you from paying a little extra for a luxury experience—tickets here will cost you between $17-$20. This theater has been around for about a decade, so while it may not be quite as spiffy as its neighboring Cinemark spot, it is a tried and true location to dine and view. The reclining seats are comfortable, and their 21-plus age restriction keeps the theater adult-only.
MGN Five Star Cinema
This Glendale spot is a welcome upgrade from a traditional theater. Each ticket ($21-$25) comes with free popcorn, and the menu offers an additional array of items including sliders, pizza, salads and desserts. Extend your stay by choosing between one of the cinema’s two bars—Red Lounge and Blue Lounge—which offer up a variety of beer and wine options as well as original cocktails.