Growing up in Delaware, I admit, we had a great variety of movie theaters. They’ve diminished over the past few years, but bigger ones have popped up. Newer ones, keeping up with the times. IMAX, wider, more comfortable seats and such. There were a few holdouts that still had the more uncomfortable seats, but, pricing of the movie tickets reflected that. One of the holdouts was Cinema Center theaters in Newark, DE where University of Delaware campus is. Recently, it was bought and closed down for renovations and reopened as Main Street Movies 5.
I’ll be honest. I moved to Pennsylvania and live in a smaller town that it takes at least a half hour to get to a movie theater. I was driving further to go to the Regals movies theater. I had gone to Cinema Center theater years ago because the tickets were cheaper. But I couldn’t get comfortable because the theater was dark and you couldn’t see how dirty you knew it was. I finally stopped going because it wasn’t worth it to me to save a few bucks. So, I didn’t even know that the theater was closing down and had been brought under new management.
I was looking at Fandango to determine what time I wanted to see Beauty and the Beast this weekend and saw the new name and got curious. So I searched and saw the new sign and decided to give them a try. Why not? As I already drive a longer distance to work during the week, I’m always looking for ways to save miles and this theater cut almost four miles off my drive. SO glad that I did! This new theater is FANTASTIC. It’s new obviously, but it’s clean. The set up is more open and brighter. They have reclining seats that you can just fall asleep in. And I was tempted! Here are some images:
Old and new building fronts
When you first walk in the door
To your left when you come in through the front door
Other images from the newly renovated Main Street Movies 5 theater.
With all these pictures of the wonderful new theater, one thing that I loved the most?
They kept the old sign. No matter how run down the theater had gotten, it was an icon. I don’t know when Cinema Center originally opened. It had been there as long as I can remember. But they had filled a need in the area. I love that Main Street Movies 5 cleaned up the sign and kept it as a reminder of the many memories that people had of this theater.
The new management company spent about three million on new renovations and added about 18,000 sq ft. Cinema Center had three screens and well, as you can tell by the name, the new theater added two more.
So, this transplanted small-town gal now has a new option for a theater and I couldn’t be happier 🙂
How awesome that you have a cool theater like this near you. All the ones around here are big chains and we go because that is all we have.
This looks like a cozy theater. I personally prefer the smaller ones! Now I want some popcorn.
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Wow! i can’t wait to see a movie here. I wouldn’t have know about it if you hadn’t shared this excellent review! Thank you taking such good pictures and sharing your experience.
I watched Beauty and the Beast last Saturday. It was awesome! I would love to watch a movie in a fancy cinema. I have not experienced it yet.
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This is a beautiful theatre, so organized too! You’ll watch comfortable lot of movies here!
Smaller cinemas really seem to be rare these days but it is great that the old one was brought under a new name and it looks great. Glad you enjoyed your visit x
I had heard in my small town, they had a movie theater. I’m going to have to see where it was and see if anyone wants to revive it!
Look at all that leg room! Smaller theaters are sometimes awesome!
I just love those comfy seats, every cinema should have it!
Is this in Manayunk? I went there years ago and didn’t know it had reopened. It looks great!
No, it’s in Newark, DE. At the University of DE campus 🙂
I have a thing for these older theaters. We have a few in my area, including a Drive in and I just love the feel of them.
Looks like the renovation was a great success – your photos really show off the improvements! And I love that they kept the old sign too – that’s just classy.
It’s always nice to see improvements where you live especially if it’s something like the cinema! I love seeing movies and it’s always nice to see a cinema that’s well maintained. I love the new look! I’m glad you decided to give it a try.
Good to know that they improved the theater near you! Now you can watch without having to drive that long. I love how the new cinema looks as well, very clean and modern!
OMG look at that big bag of popcorn! Would love to eat it now!
I love these new theaters that keep popping up, I don’t have many here in UK where I live now, but gosh the ones in Minnesota are massive and reclining comfy seat, they even sell liquor, but I always think why would you? I’d fall asleep 🙂
They just remodeled the movie theater closest to me, and it is amazing! The chairs are so comfy now!
I’m going to be honest, I like new movie theaters because it looks neat and clean. Have to admit reclining seats sounds amazing!
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I haven’t been in a movie theater in about 2 years. One thing I do remember is that the food was expensive. If I were to sit on chairs like these I would go to sleep. LOL This theater is NICE!
Looks like a lovely place to see a new film.. I love the cinema! And that popcorn looks great I literally need to buy some now!
Will check them out when I’m in the area! Thanks for the list 🙂 Bookmarking them as I type 🙂
Wow, this is such a beautiful building, love the huge bag of popcorn too.
How awesome to have so many theatres to choose from! Where we live we have one cinema style screen in town (a half hour drive away) for 23,000 people. The next nearest one is 200 miles away across open sea! 🙂
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Wow.. what a nice theater. I loved it. Will try to visit some day?
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