There is a lot more to a night at the movies than just staring at a screen in the dark for two hours. That may be the main event, but there are plenty of other things to consider. Are the seats comfortable? What kind of food and beverages are offered? How is the sound quality? Where is it located? Taking all this and more into account, here's a guide to the best theaters in Milwaukee.
Despite all of the modern technology in new multiplexes, the best movie theater in Milwaukee remains The Oriental. It may be nothing special from the outside, but inside it's the most beautiful theater around. The main theater, which holds over 1,000 people, is massive and breathtaking. The Oriental also shows the best in independent film and has cult classics every Saturday at midnight. If you haven't been there yet, go now. If you have, go again. Its sister cinema, The Downer, is smaller, but nearly as good.
If you like your movies loud, your best bet is Westown Cinemas. Their gigantic UltraScreen is enormous and the best single screen in town. The sound quality is so good you'll feel like you are a character in the movie. Not for the faint of heart.
For pure luxury, the best place to go is West Point Cinemas. The leather seats are enormously comfortable and there's plenty of legroom. It is, hands down, the most comfortable theater in Milwaukee. They also have a decent menu that includes lots of tasty food and beverages.
The best theater complex in Milwaukee is the Mayfair Mall multiplex. Sadly, the premium cinemas closed down for financial reasons, but it's still a large, state of the art complex. They consistently have the earliest and latest showtimes in the area and there's a big arcade for the young ones. The only drawback is that it can get too crowded on the weekends, becoming loud and unruly.
Peace and quiet is a good thing at a movie theater (at least for most people) and, unfortunately, it's not always easy to find. But your best bet is North Shore Cinemas (with West Point running a close second). It can get hectic on weekends, but more often than not you're guaranteed a pleasant and quiet evening.
{INSERT_RELATED}True movie buffs should head to the Times Cinema. They have the best selection of non-mainstream film including old classics, modern classics, documentaries, animated films and midnight showings of cult favorites.
Last but not least, there is the Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse, the coolest theater in Milwaukee. In addition to showing excellent mainstream and independent films, they also have midnight showings of modern classics. But that's not all, the theater has tables and couches for maximum comfort and beer, wine and delicious desserts to tempt your taste buds. It's truly a one of a kind movie-going experience.
For showtimes and additional information check out our movie guide. If you have a favorite theater that's not listed, let us know by using the comments feature below.
