From special seats to cold beer, which Knoxville movie theater is right for you?
Knoxville is more than just Smoky Mountains and football; it's a subtle haven for movie lovers, too. But with two AMC theaters now closed in Knoxville, you might be wondering where to go.
With its headquarters in Knoxville, Regal has four theaters to choose from − each one surprisingly different than its sister cinemas. Beyond that, independent cinemas and drive-ins offer unique viewing experiences that are hard to replicate.
Knox News journalists Ryan Wilusz and Keenan Thomas took time to discuss what makes each Knoxville theater different to help you decide which one is best for you.
Below, you'll find an edited transcript of their discussion on "The Scruffy Stuff" podcast about the prices, perks and tasty treats each theater offers. You can listen to the award-winning podcast every time a new episode drops on Tuesdays, including in the podcast player below.
Want to keep up with "The Scruffy Stuff"? Episodes are available for free on Apple, Spotify and other streaming platforms.
Want to share your thoughts about the episode? Email ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com, and we just might share your perspective on a future episode!
Halls Cinema 7 in North Knoxville
Address: 3800 Neal Drive
Screens: Seven
Features: Standard format, concessions, cheaper tickets
Year opened: 1983
Keenan: I was just recently made aware of this theater. I've not yet gone. ... It originally opened in 1983, closed briefly in 2006, before reopening in 2007 and has been kicking ever since.
Ryan: I know a lot of time with those older movie theaters and independent movie theaters, sometimes they'll play older movies. But is this new releases? Is it a mix?
Keenan: It's mostly new releases. ... It has seven screens. It seems a little bit tucked away, but not in a bad way.
Who is this movie theater for?
Ryan: I think it sounds like to me ... it's great if you live in Halls.
Keenan: I think it's definitely that − the people over in North Knoxville or maybe in Fountain City ... definitely those in Halls. But probably a good casual moviegoer audience that want to see the big releases but don't feel like driving 30 minutes over to Pinnacle or downtown.
Central Cinema in Happy Holler
Address: 1205 N. Central St.
Screens: One
Features: Standard format, special events, concessions
Ryan: Well, the other independent movie theater we've talked about a lot on this show is Central Cinema. ... For those who aren't familiar, Keenan, you're the expert on Central Cinema. What is this movie theater all about?
Keenan: They're a one-screen movie theater located right off Central Street, and they play a little bit of everything. They'll play a few new releases, usually independent, art house and international cinema. ... But they'll mix that in with, for example, a "Grease" sing-along benefit show.
Ryan: And I've loved how much they focus on not just the movies but the series that they do.
Keenan: They know what they're doing. They're really hitting all of these different notes with the older films that they show, the newer movies that they're playing and how to drive up interest in doing special events. And they do more as well.
Ryan: I've been to comedy over there, and it's a lot of fun. It's a cool environment for it.
Keenan: And a bunch of double features throughout the year.
Who is this movie theater for?
Keenan: I think it's definitely for the film buffs. It's for those who love going to the movies, kind of also love waiting to watch some movies for the first time until it's in the theater. And those who just love all sorts of movies. They're playing a Ugandan film soon.
Ryan: The horror emphasis that they have I think is worth noting too. If you are a horror fan, you're going to see all types of horror spanning decades and a lot of cult classics too. ... I'll also add it is just a place if you're a movie fan and you want some sort of community around going to the movies.
Regal Downtown West in West Knoxville
Address: 1640 Downtown West Blvd.
Screens: Eight
Features: Standard format, concessions
Year opened: 1976
Keenan: With their eight screens, they play all sorts of movies. ... You can go from the newest superhero movie to a French film like it's nothing in the same location. It's great.
Ryan: And I'm also not the biggest fan of stadium seating, and I love that that is not stadium seating. It feels more intimate when you're looking between people's heads to see the movie.
Keenan: Oh yeah. And they do have four bigger auditoriums, but also four very small little theater rooms. No matter what, if it's packed, it feels much more intimate and as if you're connected to everyone there as you're seeing a little independent film, a documentary or something Japanese. And it rules.
Who is this theater for?
Keenan: I think it's for those film buffs − for those connoisseurs of everything regarding cinema, not just the major blockbusters. But also, if you want to see a blockbuster and you don't want to be caught in a crowd, it's a great place to see it.
Ryan: I'm a Regal Unlimited member, and I think this is the theater that really made me want to go ahead and get that membership because it just gave me a whole other selection of films that I'd be able to choose from.
Regal Riviera in downtown Knoxville
Address: 510 S. Gay St.
Screens: Eight
Features: Standard and 3D formats, concessions, bar, stadium seating
Year opened: 2007
Ryan: It's your downtown theater, which I think we should not take for granted.
Keenan: It's a good theater if you're looking for those big releases, especially if you're already downtown. It's a little harder to get parking sometimes. But if you're planning on going downtown anyway, it's a great location if you're putting it as part of a date or making it a day of going downtown.
Ryan: I think the parking situation is great there because it's easy if you know you're going to the movies, especially if you park on the third level of State Street Garage. You walk straight across and you're right at the doors.
Who is this theater for?
Ryan: It is the theater if you're wanting to go on a date because there's something special about being outside at nighttime with the city lights and the Regal movie theater marquee signs shining. And you can pair it with dozens and dozens of restaurants that are in walking distance nearby. Dinner and a movie: the most classic date that you could possibly have. Riviera is a classic spot to have that date.
Regal Cinebarre in West Town Mall
Address: 7600 Kingston Pike, Suite 1520
Screens: Nine
Features: Standard and 3D formats, bar, arcade, full-service restaurant with food delivered to seats
Year opened: 1998
Keenan: Cinebarre is very fascinating to me because I knew it beforehand as just the theater in West Town Mall that was like this old town square vibe with all these faux buildings on it and an arcade.
Ryan: Cinebarre is my favorite place for a double feature because once one movie is over − you have like 45 minutes to kill in between movies − there's enough to do in the lobby. There's a full restaurant to get a snack to eat. There's a full arcade upstairs. There's plenty of places to sit. There's pool tables. There's air hockey. You can have an entire Sunday afternoon dedicated to going to the movies without ever leaving the theater. ... The only complaint about that place is just how small the theater is − each theater. It's difficult sometimes.
Keenan: So, definitely get your tickets early.
Ryan: And don't sit in the front row. Even with the reclining seats, you will break your neck.
Who is this theater for?
Ryan: I would say this is for the people who want to be comfortable at the movies and want something more hip and modern.
Keenan: I'd say this is for the all-in-one moviegoer. This is for the people that want fun, food and a good movie all at the same time.
Ryan: And it's my best pick for a double feature if you plan to see two in one day.
Regal Pinnacle in Turkey Creek
Address: 11240 Parkside Drive
Screens: 18
Features: Standard, 3D, IMAX, RPX, ScreenX and 4DX formats, concessions, bar, smoothie bar, arcade
Year opened: 2005
Ryan: That leaves use with the flagship theater of Regal in Knoxville.
Keenan: They revamped the lobby. They put in all these screens. They got rid of the box office, and now that's just a bunch of windows there. And there's several kiosks for where you buy your tickets, which has become the primary way to get tickets at Regal now.
Ryan: I miss interacting at the windows. That was so classic.
Keenan: There's also an upper area that has a little arcade. ... But this also has the most screens. So, there's 18 screens. Most of them are regular and/or 3D screens where they have capability to play 3D films. But it's also the only theater in Knoxville that has the IMAX screen, which is floor to ceiling. ... There's RPX, or Regal Premium Experience. I think the screen is a little bit bigger than their IMAX screen, but they have leather seats, incredible sound, pretty good picture the majority of the time. ... There's ScreenX, where it's projected in the middle but also on the sides. So, it like expands the picture and makes it a little more immersive.
Ryan: It was perfect for when I saw "Bohemian Rhapsody" − that Live Aid scene where you had the whole concert that felt like it was around you. That was a perfect movie to see there.
Keenan: And then there's 4DX. ... It was not my preferred way to watch a movie because, for those who don't know, it's essentially the seats are as if they're kind of like a rollercoaster. So, it moves around with the action and whatever's going on on the screen, as well as several elements. Like, water will spray on you or they'll puff a puff of air at you.
Ryan: Strobe lights for lightning.
Keenan: I think it heats up a little bit when there's fire. It's supposed to be that you feel what's happening on the screen. Personally, I was not a fan of it. I think for the right movie it would work OK. But it wasn't for "Sonic the Hedgehog 2."
Who is this movie theater for?
Ryan: This movie theater is definitely for the people who want more than just a screen, right? If you want that next-level experience, especially if there's a movie that you're really excited about.
Keenan: If you are a more casual moviegoer who doesn't go often, it kind of feels grand to go to Pinnacle just because of how big it is and how many screens that they have. But they also do have a lot of variety as well.
Ryan: It's all around a great movie theater. Great size, great amenities and lots of options.
Drive-in theaters near Knoxville, plus two nearby bonuses
Ryan: I'm a big fan of going out to the Parkway Drive-In in Maryville. It also feels like you step back in time. ... The concessions bar looks like an old high school stadium kind of concessions area. Last time I was there, I think it was 50 cents, I got frozen pickle juice that was actually surprisingly good and popcorn and all kinds of stuff. ... And then the other drive-in being LoCo Drive-In in Loudon. And that one's a little bit different. It's not a projection. It's an LED screen. And if I'm not mistaken, they're offering some free movies this summer. And they also serve beer, which the one in Maryville does not, so that's also a plus if you're a beer drinker.
Keenan: There's the AMC Foothills 12 in Maryville as part of the Foothills Mall, and that is now the only AMC within a short driving distance of Knoxville with the closure of the AMC Classic East Towne and the AMC Classic Knoxville. ... And then there's also the Cinemark Tinseltown in Oak Ridge, which from a lot of people I've heard is one of their favorite theaters.
Ryan Wilusz is a downtown growth and development reporter. Phone 865-317-5138. Email ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com. Instagram @knoxscruff.
Keenan Thomas reports for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.
Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville movie theater showtimes near me at AMC, Regal
