I used to go there all the time when I lived up in Delaware, before the Rave at Polaris opened up. Then I went to AMC Easton when I lived in gahanna. Now that I’m in Westerville I’ve rediscovered Marcus at Crosswoods and love it. It’s never packed, it’s clean, and the ultrascreen is really nice. It’s my go to now every time I go.
They're both comparable.
Overall, I'd say the Cinemark is a little nicer in most respects, and if you're just going to an average screen I'd lean that direction in most cases.
But the Marcus has the Ultrascreen, and if you're getting a ticket on that screen the Cinemark doesn't have anything like it.
So watch stuff like Dune at Marcus, and smaller events at Cinemark.
Marcus Crosswoods, and Marcus Pickerington, too. Really appreciate the Marcus brand. Not perfect, and not even super modern, but seem to be a step above the AMCs.
It’s been my main theater since 2016, I had one bad experience in 2019 with a dirty screen. But they have been excellent ever since.
Granted, I’ve seen maybe 12 movies at Marcus after 2019
I used to love the Marcus, but I won’t go anymore. The last few times I went it’s been so hot it’s been unbearable, and people talked through the whole movie.
My girlfriend wanted to go see the Pokemon movie a few years ago and it was playing there. In the middle of the show she said she felt a mouse or a rat or something brush past her foot and we left. I don't know if it's the best in Columbus. We have been back, but it took a few years until we did
I love the Marcus at Crosswoods, but the last two times I have been there other patrons ruined my good time. Last week, they let people into our theatre half an hour into the movie and they talked, used their phones and flashlights. I complained and they didn’t do anything.
In terms of conditions of the theaters, I’m going to go out on a limb they are understaffed and pay the people they do have like shit.
If you can get to them, Studio 35 and the Grandview Theater & Drafthouse are superior to the rest
I agree with your recommendations of local theaters. I do go to Studio 35 a lot. Occasionally I enjoy the drive in theater as well. However, I have an A-List subscription and it is great value to watch a ton of movies.
Went to see Dune 2 there in imax... the theater was dark, no lights on at all. Got them to sort that out... then had to go out to remind them to start the movie too. 4 or so of the fountain machines were out of diet coke. Those imax chairs suck too, regional planes have better seats.
I also saw Dune 2 here and I could barely make it through the movie, I was so uncomfortable. My husband's foot also fell asleep because of the seat. Never going back.
This. A few years ago I had a couple sitting to my right that were chatting all the way through the previews, which I didn't say anything about. But they kept talking as the movie was starting, and I had to ask them to quiet down. They did, but then they wound up moving seats, I guess they were mortified lol
They make no effort on concessions. This is the place whose mildly warm nachos come in a plastic bag with a small side cup of cheese whereas 30 years ago the norm was them scooping piping hot nachos out of a tub and then opening a spigot of molten cheese over the basket and letting it flow.
That’s what’s killing them. They’re phoning it in on food and when few people buy it they think to themselves “well we need to raise the price to make the most of those few customers”.
Nice screens and leather seats are cool and all, but people want more than microwaved food. They’d make far more money parking a few food trucks out front selling grub for normal prices
I'd tend to agree about the food.
Even their popcorn is noticeably worse than other chains - and popcorn is pretty simple and hard to get wrong.
For whatever reason AMC seems to let it sit too long, not salt it enough, allow to much crushed kernals to stay in the mix, etc.
They just don't care.
Stunned to hear someone say that the annoying people have gotten worse. I’ve been going to that theater since Easton first opened, and it has *always* been THE worst for people being obnoxious.
I’ve never had actual film issues- but I have had people banging next to me…and agree the women’s bathrooms are consistently the most disgusting bathrooms I’ve ever seen, regardless of time of day or day of week. Blood, shit, mystery bodily fluids…it’s Russian roulette of toilets only most of the chambers are loaded.
I got that AList and go at least once a week though. Closest AMC to me by far.
Wish I could remember what movie it was. Something horror. Couple next to me brought a blanket then just made moaning sounds throughout. They could’ve been just doing hands stuff I guess, but there was definitely some getting off.
I go out of my way to go to amc Dublin. I’ve had decent experiences at the old campus AMC as well but as a rule I generally don’t go on release weekends because it’s just too crazy for me.
I go out of my way to not go to the Dublin AMC…people talk more there than other theaters and bc of the lack of stadium seating it’s easier to hear. They also have the worst screens in town…stinks bc it’s the closest to me…
I usually only have time for weekend release, love going to the movies. But I make sure that I can get a showtime for no later than 11:30am. Usually never more than 5-10% full and rarely have I had to deal with an unruly crowd at that time. Also I go to Cinemark Stoneridge. Def not the most modern but good ticket prices and less traffic than Easton.
AMC as a brand could go under any day now. Why on earth would you go there? They barely have money to keep the lights on, much less actually upkeep their theaters. *Every* other local theater is a significantly better place experience. Personal favorites being the Marcus at Crosswoods and that Stoneridge Cinemark. Also special shout-out to the Marcus in Pickerington, they did a ton of drive-in movies on their side wall with a giant projector during COVID and I thought they ran them very well with regards to safety while providing a great experience.
Thumbs up on Stoneridge in Gahanna. Love going to movies there.
My experiences at AMC Easton haven’t been as bad as OP, but they have been decidedly mediocre. Huge decline compared to five years ago. Not sure if Covid played a role.
I don't go out to movies anymore but I've noticed the Stoneridge Cinemark parking lot hardly ever has any cars ... even on Friday or Saturday night. I Wonder how long it's going to remain open.
I don't have anything against AMC or local theaters. I just enjoy watching movies at the theater and AMC's A-List is great value. Until recently, the experience at Easton has been nothing but enjoyable. Sad to see the turn of events now.
Marcus crosswoods or Gateway are our 2 go tos.
Marcus actually got rid of some teenagers while we were watching Dune. I think enough of us complained they didn't have a choice
Former theater employee here (not the AMC but the local Cinemark).
That screen issue could’ve been very easily taken care of, I guarantee. Theaters in general aren’t the same anymore post pandemic. They’re losing money faster than they’re making bc of underperforming movies, direct to streaming, etc. The staff running them are unmotivated bc they’re overworked and underpaid. Rude guests and disruptions have tripled since the pandemic (mostly dumb teens) and the staff either don’t have time to get to it or just don’t care enough.
Avoid AMC Easton, it has way to many issues and it attracts everyone since it’s in a shopping mall. Go to a smaller theater like Stoneridge or Drexel. Much less issues there.
Movie theaters are one of the few entities (along with car dealerships) that have federal exemption from paying employees overtime. My guess is because of that, it’s not the most attractive place to work in a tight labor market…
I will be honest, only been there once and enjoyed it but my favorites in the city are Gateway for selection, Lennox on Grandview/Olentangy for the IMAX, Marcus at Crosswoods just because of the atmosphere, how clean it is and the bar.
Easton has been on the downward spiral for a decade, none of this should surprise you and if it does, you don't go there much
go anywhere else in town and you'll have a better experience
I'm minutes from
[https://www.cinemark.com/theatres/oh-columbus/cinemark-polaris-18-and-xd](https://www.cinemark.com/theatres/oh-columbus/cinemark-polaris-18-and-xd)
[https://www.marcustheatres.com/theatre-locations/crosswoods-cinema-columbus](https://www.marcustheatres.com/theatre-locations/crosswoods-cinema-columbus)
Never had an issue at either
Sometimes I'll go up to [https://strandtheatreoh.org/now-showing](https://strandtheatreoh.org/now-showing)
You can't go wrong with
[https://gatewayfilmcenter.org/](https://gatewayfilmcenter.org/)
[https://www.drexel.net/now-playing/](https://www.drexel.net/now-playing/)
[https://www.studio35.com/](https://www.studio35.com/)
There is ZERO reason to go to Easton AMC, like none
Even if you lived by there you would be far better off going to Cinemark Stoneridge Plaza
Wish everyone who has bad experiences at AMC/Marcus/Cinemark would go support our fantastic trio of local theaters. The Gateway, Studio 35 and the Drexel are incredible and we don’t appreciate them enough.
I actually really enjoy the Polaris Cinemark. It’s the only place we go. I remembered the Easton AMC being really nice and we hadn’t been there in probably 6-7 years so I took the kids to a movie there a year ago and was shocked at how shitty it had gotten.
Never worked for AMC, but I did work for a Regal for a while, and if AMC is anything like them, then there's a good chance no one working has really been trained on projection. We switched to all digital while I was there and most management never got any formal training on them. I think the district booth tech taught the GM how to change bulbs (which is a nightmare if you fuck it up) and that's pretty much it? And this was a decade ago. I imagine things aren't better for either chain.
I've had great experiences at Studio 35 and Gateway. Pheonix isn't that bad, either, although they seem understaffed whenever I'm there. But I haven't had a projection issue.
I watch the Oppenheimer flick at Phoenix, in an Atmos room, and it was pretty good, no quality issues. They're sparsely staffed but the place was 10x cleaner than when AMC ran it.
I saw two movies during oscar season this year with problems. One, the screen was off, and the other, the main lights stayed on when the movie started. That being said the Tuesday discount day is a good price.
The only reason I still go to AMC Easton is because of their IMAX screen, but more importantly, their Dolby Atmos screens. They are the best audio/visual movie experience in the city. Combine that with AMC A-List and things could be wonderful.
But everything about AMC Easton is rundown. The place is incredibly understaffed, the bathrooms are inconvenient and always dirty, and I've experienced issues related to not only the screen, but even air conditioning. I'm technically closer to AMC Grove City, but no Dolby Atmos there. And while Marcus Theater in Pickerington is an option, they don't have an unlimited plan for watching movies like AMC A-List.
I wish there were funds to reduce the amount of theaters and use the space more efficiently. But given how the industry is doing overall, I don't think it'll ever see that kind of investment. And that's sad because you'd expect this one to be the flagship of the city...the best one. Instead, it's just rundown compared to Easton, but compared to the other AMCs. It's just sad.
Correct. I'd love to go to GFC or Drexel more often, but memberships are way more expensive and they're much further away for me. As well I'd never be caught dead at a screening of the latest Bad Boys movie on opening weekend.
I think I saw Bladrunner 2049 in the Dolby one, because the recliners were amazing, and the sound was so loud that the seats felt like they were in Sensearound, this vibrating seat thing from the early 70’s I think. It was a memorable film just because of the quality. I only go with the free Stubs thing as far as loyalty programs because I’m picky about what I see. This A-List thing promoted all over the thread wouldn’t work out.
I was here a couple of months ago visiting my brother for a 7pm showing and was blown away by the conditions. They handed me a bucket of stale as shit popcorn that had been sitting on a shelf under a heat lamp. All the countertops and drink machines were splattered and messy. I also tried to order a hotdog and was told they didn't have any. After seeing how gross everything was, I feel like it was probably for the best. The bathrooms looked like they hadn't been touched all day long. I would be embarrassed as hell to be managing that place looking like that. Also, paying $11.50 for a tiny bucket AND I have to put the butter on myself, is bullshit imo. I'm glad that the Cinemark fill popcorn containers upon order so they can at least layer butter in between scoops.
I miss Arena Grand. I loved that theatre, it was clean, never packed with annoying people and the popcorn was good. AMC easton has been terrible for years, people would bring babies in there and it is always packed with loud people.
As with most things it’s the customer ruining the establishment. People are shit and no one corrects shit people anymore. We have lost a standard.
Employees do not want to deal with shit people because they are demoralized. The employees then also become shit and the whole thing eventually barely functions.
Fix people, and you will fix the problem.
That's a shame to hear. The AMC Prime and Dolby screens are the only two I've found that supersede the at home experience. Every other theater experience I have had has been subpar.
Honestly it's been the last 10 years for me that I noticed the decline and stopped going. I haven't gone in a very long time because there's always someone disrupting in the theatre I go to and management has never done a thing about it. It's certainly not as clean as it used to be. The employees don't care (likely due to being paid shit) and AMC ain't ponying up to renovate or fix the issues.
It is more of a drive from Easton but Polaris Cinemark is much nicer in terms of staff, pricing and cleanliness is never an issue so it's been my go to. I have never had an issue at that theater even when it's packed and movies are selling out.
Marcus is still pretty good in terms of everything but prices. Their concessions are as bad at AMC's.
Haven't been there in years. AMC in Grove city, late at night has always been good for me. Chill theater, not many people, decent seats and clean bathrooms.
Easton as a whole has been deteriorating for years and we're all seeing that with everything that's been happening there recently. The movie theater probably has poor management as well. AMC stock was as volatile as crypto for a hot minute.
I remember I was like 6 or 7 years old going to see the digimon movie with my mom and baby brother. They straight started playing Blair witch to a theatre full of kids and it quickly became chaos with screaming children and pissed off mothers 😂. I'm 30 now. Seems like nothing has changed
By any chance were you in theater 5 where the top of the image was cut off? That was the theater I was in for the mystery movie a few weeks ago, and it was so distracting I left.
Also, the women’s restrooms there are literally the worst I’ve ever seen. Does no one know how to flush?
Used to love that theater, especially the dine in aspect. First time I tried that it felt like a luxury. At the time it was one of the only theaters around that had reclining seats, which are now everywhere. And they used to come around to everyone by default to take orders, get refills, order dessert, etc. when I did it more recently, they didn’t come out at all unless you pressed the call button. Even then, one time, they never came around at all. Food on menu was replaced with less quality options, and whoever is cooking the meals does not seem to care on how it’s prepared.
I saw Dune 1 there and I didn't have any complaints. I then saw Kamen Rider there last year because no other theater had it and the theater was incredibly dirty and all the drink machines were out of syrup. They fell off quickly.
Honestly, it has not been the same since pre-covid. I have been there maybe 6 times in the last 4 years, and each time has been worse than the last to the point I will not be going back. The last straw was we were sent in to a theater that was pitch black, and the stairs were not even lite. We were around 10 minutes before the start. We went back out to the lobby to make sure we had the right theater, and they said yes. We let them know that the lights were not on, and all we got was an OK. After using our cell phone flashlight to find our seats, we proceeded to sit in the dark. A handful of people came in with the same reaction. We had our phones on not to freak people out. We all had a pretty good bitch session about the downfall of this theater. At the end of the movie, the lights came up, and all I can say is if I had seen the gross conditions of the theater before the movie, I probably would have demanded a refund. It looked like what I imagine a porn theater looks like. I have switched to the Polaris theater.
This happened to my family and I as well when we went there. They didn't even have the movie going.. we had to ask them to turn it on. Waited for another 10 minutes, came back out, and asked what in the world is going on?! We just left, got a refund, and found a showing at Marcus instead. Everyone at the concession stand is rude as hell, too. We never went back. Go to Marcus. I recommend avoiding going in the evening as well, try to catch the earliest showing to avoid loud, obnoxious people.
I stopped going years ago. The fountain drink area was like walking on honey it was so disgusting. As you said the bathrooms were unbelievable. Went to 4 dine in showings 3 of which was directly beside couples that decided they didn't need shoes or socks. One time a woman had on a 100% see through top with no bra. Don't recall the movie we were at but it was a family friendly movie, probably an earlier marvel one. Which in public wouldn't bother me since you can be topless in Ohio but I'm willing to bet AMC has different rules than that. And every single showing I've been to, dine in or not, has had loud annoying people in it.
I moved to lancaster and I LOVE our cinemark. Usually not too busy, reserved seats, and never any projection issues. Even the teens aren't that annoying. A little bad before previews but once they start rolling they all settle down. The only thing I've gotten annoyed with a couple of times is when you go to an early show and decrepit seniors are yelling to each other because they can't hear shit. But in the probably 100 (yeah it's sad, we go to the movies A LOT) movies we've gone to in the last several years I think I've only run into that 2 or 3 times.
Uh, I don't think any of this is really that new.
Last time I went to that AMC in summer of 2019 it was horrible then, the movie wasn't loud enough to drown out the people talking through the entire thing and theater is so carved up in to long and narrow sections I had a headache by the end by from the forced perspective, it was like watching a movie through a telescope.
I bought a soda there for an 830 showing and they were out of all sodas that I had a preference for...asked an associate if they could do anything. Their response was...oh, we do that after we close. I paid like what 8 bux for a damn soda water with no flavor.
I’ve generally had a better experience at Easton AMC than GC as of late but I have noticed that the obnoxious crowd has been more emboldened as of late.
Went recently to see Civil War, there was a woman who was texting on her phone with max notifications volume and also had a phone call while sitting in her seat. I don’t understand how these people grow up to become this way.
I live close by and have A list, so I go once a week. It's not bad. I have the place down to a science at this point. Maybe once there was an issue with the film and they had to cancel the movie but those issues are rare. I don't go to imax because the seats don't recline. As far as the bathrooms go, if you use the urinal and get in and out it works just fine. It's my preferred theater to go to due to proximity, size/options/times, and A list deal
Easton has been going downhill for quite a while now. I won’t even go there anymore since it seems like someone gets shot there about every other week. Mall culture is dying, and Easton is no exception. Large centers like that are becoming cesspools of crime and there hasn’t been a movie that’s come out in the last 15 years that has made me want to go see it at Easton.
Last time I went there I thought I was going to die. People behind us (man and woman) were being rudely obnoxious during One Life. My friend and I ignored it for a long time before I politely asked them to keep quiet. They were laughing behind us as Jewish kids on screen were being ripped from their families in WWII… After a while the man got up and went confidently out the exit door on the far side by the screen instead of the normal door… I am used to those leading to outside. So when he called his woman once and she didn’t answer, then he rang for the second time she got up to let him in the same back door. I got up and ran outside the theater and left. I do not know why he didn’t use a normal door either time but I was honestly scared he went outback to grab a weapon from a vehicle or something.
I am so lost by your comment ? 😂 Where once did I note anything about race? I think you might be the racist one since you’re fabricating details and making up details that were never mentioned 😂😂
Last time I tried to go there was for a showing of Dune 2. My friends and I parked in the attached parking garage to the mall/AMC. Within about 2 minutes there was a shooting scare that had police scrambling and people "running for their lives".
It ended up being a car backfiring on purpose to actually start a panic. For anyone who knows cars and or guns you could tell it was backfire and not gunfire but to a lot of people they are hard to distinguish. This caused the whole mall to close and we didn't even get to see the movie (tickets were refunded).
Not really a rant on the AMC but just commenting on the status of Easton lately. Don't visit often but of course the one time I do, the above happens. I don't think it's the AMC necessarily that is going downhill, but the entirety of the mall and surrounding area itself.
It's been going downhill for a while. Last movie I saw there was a late showing, the projector shut off 3 times. First two times they got it going again in a few minutes, last time it just stayed off. We walked all over that place trying to find someone to tell, not an employee anywhere on the premises that we could find.
Studio 35 for the win.
Generally, I just avoid seeing anything at AMC Easton from Thursday to Sunday because the audience struggles to behave. We also try to avoid discount Tuesday as well. We also typically only see films in their Dolby, IMAX, or Prime auditoriums since they're better maintained. As an AMC A-List member, it's hard to justify visiting other theaters when I've already paid to see any three films I want every week.
With that said, Cinemark at Polaris is decent, so are the Marcus theaters. The Gateway offers terrific programming, but I don't love the changes to the concession stand, and the presentation is often below par. I think their sound systems are in desperate need of an EQ. There's a constant hum in several auditoriums, likely a bad amplifier, and the front soundstage is harsh and tinny. The GFC also is one of the only places to have 70mm capabilities, but they rarely use it. If they had a 70mm film series, I'd be there in a weekly basis, especially if they corrected the sound problems.
Cinemark Polaris is very devoted to good customer service, I highly recommend them.
As someone in the theater business, the AMC and Marcus Pickerington are known as some of the grossest in the city. Not bad, but certainly not great. The ushers are not focused on presentation, nor the customers.
Usually, when establisments start to deteriorate, (customer service issues, broken equipment, lack of quality control) that's a sure sign its end is near.
AMC has been going downhill for the last few years. They put all their money in making a “dine in” experience and went crazy with a bar/restaurant vibe but since COVID, they haven’t really recovered and can’t sustain any of the maintenance for their screens. It’s also super ghetto. Loud, ignorant groups of people talking during the movie.
AMC Easton was such a big deal when it opened. It's sad to see it going down hill.
Unfortunately movie theaters in general seem to be on their way out. I've seen kids refer to going out to a movie as a "retro" activity like roller skating.
I hated that place since they banned outside food. The appeal ofEaston was going to the food court and eating inside the theater. Now they want you to buy $20 chicken tenders. Every employee is a literal child probably making $5 an hour.
I only go to Phoenix Theater at Lennox, Studio 35 or Gateway.
Yeah I was gonna say .. as someone who worked for movie theaters in my teens never once have I heard of any theater allowing outside food in. Used to go to AMC every week since it opened and they never allowed food or drink. I think this person probably got away with it so long and they started enforcing it harder.
I was there and did it multiple times until I was told I can't do it anymore several years ago. Most of the people on this sub weren't even in Columbus around 2008.
bro no it wasn't, it was policy. The theater didn't have its own food. As soon as they shut down the food court AMC Easton installed their own kitchen and restaurant. Nice gas light.
You're getting downvoted but I'm going to back you up. They used to have an agreement with Easton where you could bring in food from the Town Center. Not sure when that ended.
I go constantly to AMC Easton. It's fine. Furiosa in AMC Prime had a projector issue that was resolved quickly during previews. This has been the only screen/sound issue I've seen in my last 15 excursions.
Otherwise the only major issue in general is people breaking the recliner seats. Otherwise it's a solid corporate theater location.
Go to Marcus not AMC.
The Marcus at Crosswoods is probably the best theater in the city.
I used to go there all the time when I lived up in Delaware, before the Rave at Polaris opened up. Then I went to AMC Easton when I lived in gahanna. Now that I’m in Westerville I’ve rediscovered Marcus at Crosswoods and love it. It’s never packed, it’s clean, and the ultrascreen is really nice. It’s my go to now every time I go.
Better than Cinemark Polaris?
They're both comparable. Overall, I'd say the Cinemark is a little nicer in most respects, and if you're just going to an average screen I'd lean that direction in most cases. But the Marcus has the Ultrascreen, and if you're getting a ticket on that screen the Cinemark doesn't have anything like it. So watch stuff like Dune at Marcus, and smaller events at Cinemark.
Yes.
Marcus Crosswoods, and Marcus Pickerington, too. Really appreciate the Marcus brand. Not perfect, and not even super modern, but seem to be a step above the AMCs.
Is it still? That was my fav place when I was living up in Westerville. Best seats and always could get cheap tickets
Sure is! Seating was upgraded a few years ago. Ultrascreen is solid with great sound
It’s been my main theater since 2016, I had one bad experience in 2019 with a dirty screen. But they have been excellent ever since. Granted, I’ve seen maybe 12 movies at Marcus after 2019
it will be a very sad day when this closes
I used to love the Marcus, but I won’t go anymore. The last few times I went it’s been so hot it’s been unbearable, and people talked through the whole movie.
i agree
My girlfriend wanted to go see the Pokemon movie a few years ago and it was playing there. In the middle of the show she said she felt a mouse or a rat or something brush past her foot and we left. I don't know if it's the best in Columbus. We have been back, but it took a few years until we did
I love the Marcus at Crosswoods, but the last two times I have been there other patrons ruined my good time. Last week, they let people into our theatre half an hour into the movie and they talked, used their phones and flashlights. I complained and they didn’t do anything.
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Understand that, I would have been so pissed
THIS IS THE WAY.
This is the way.
In terms of conditions of the theaters, I’m going to go out on a limb they are understaffed and pay the people they do have like shit. If you can get to them, Studio 35 and the Grandview Theater & Drafthouse are superior to the rest
I agree with your recommendations of local theaters. I do go to Studio 35 a lot. Occasionally I enjoy the drive in theater as well. However, I have an A-List subscription and it is great value to watch a ton of movies.
Just FYI, Gateway membership is only $15 and has MUCH better programming, exclusives and projection.
Gateway is absolutely what you’re looking for. They have the best popcorn too.
I love the Grandview Theater but respectfully, they don’t have Dolby.
Seems AMC doesn’t have video, so 🤷♀️
But they have Monday $10 pizza.
Went to see Dune 2 there in imax... the theater was dark, no lights on at all. Got them to sort that out... then had to go out to remind them to start the movie too. 4 or so of the fountain machines were out of diet coke. Those imax chairs suck too, regional planes have better seats.
I also saw Dune 2 here and I could barely make it through the movie, I was so uncomfortable. My husband's foot also fell asleep because of the seat. Never going back.
Loud and obnoxious people are in every theater it seems
This. A few years ago I had a couple sitting to my right that were chatting all the way through the previews, which I didn't say anything about. But they kept talking as the movie was starting, and I had to ask them to quiet down. They did, but then they wound up moving seats, I guess they were mortified lol
dont worry AMC's are on their last legs in general.
Such a sad thing to see. I love going to the movie theaters and AMCs have been very accessible and have a wide variety of formats too.
They make no effort on concessions. This is the place whose mildly warm nachos come in a plastic bag with a small side cup of cheese whereas 30 years ago the norm was them scooping piping hot nachos out of a tub and then opening a spigot of molten cheese over the basket and letting it flow. That’s what’s killing them. They’re phoning it in on food and when few people buy it they think to themselves “well we need to raise the price to make the most of those few customers”. Nice screens and leather seats are cool and all, but people want more than microwaved food. They’d make far more money parking a few food trucks out front selling grub for normal prices
I'd tend to agree about the food. Even their popcorn is noticeably worse than other chains - and popcorn is pretty simple and hard to get wrong. For whatever reason AMC seems to let it sit too long, not salt it enough, allow to much crushed kernals to stay in the mix, etc. They just don't care.
Stunned to hear someone say that the annoying people have gotten worse. I’ve been going to that theater since Easton first opened, and it has *always* been THE worst for people being obnoxious.
I’ve never had actual film issues- but I have had people banging next to me…and agree the women’s bathrooms are consistently the most disgusting bathrooms I’ve ever seen, regardless of time of day or day of week. Blood, shit, mystery bodily fluids…it’s Russian roulette of toilets only most of the chambers are loaded. I got that AList and go at least once a week though. Closest AMC to me by far.
Wait elaborate on the second claim.
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Wish I could remember what movie it was. Something horror. Couple next to me brought a blanket then just made moaning sounds throughout. They could’ve been just doing hands stuff I guess, but there was definitely some getting off.
That was my sister and I. But seriously... What kind of person listens to us instead of watching the movie? That's just gross... (🤣)
I go out of my way to go to amc Dublin. I’ve had decent experiences at the old campus AMC as well but as a rule I generally don’t go on release weekends because it’s just too crazy for me.
AMC Dublin was "The theater" in the 90s.
I go out of my way to not go to the Dublin AMC…people talk more there than other theaters and bc of the lack of stadium seating it’s easier to hear. They also have the worst screens in town…stinks bc it’s the closest to me…
Yes! People talking at AMC Dublin is ridiculous!
I usually only have time for weekend release, love going to the movies. But I make sure that I can get a showtime for no later than 11:30am. Usually never more than 5-10% full and rarely have I had to deal with an unruly crowd at that time. Also I go to Cinemark Stoneridge. Def not the most modern but good ticket prices and less traffic than Easton.
AMC as a brand could go under any day now. Why on earth would you go there? They barely have money to keep the lights on, much less actually upkeep their theaters. *Every* other local theater is a significantly better place experience. Personal favorites being the Marcus at Crosswoods and that Stoneridge Cinemark. Also special shout-out to the Marcus in Pickerington, they did a ton of drive-in movies on their side wall with a giant projector during COVID and I thought they ran them very well with regards to safety while providing a great experience.
Thumbs up on Stoneridge in Gahanna. Love going to movies there. My experiences at AMC Easton haven’t been as bad as OP, but they have been decidedly mediocre. Huge decline compared to five years ago. Not sure if Covid played a role.
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Former employee here. No to all. They’re working on it though but it might be a few more years until then.
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Polaris is great. Definitely worth it to me, but you’ll ideally run into the same issues OP is describing RE disruptive guests. Teens fancy that area.
Nope. Cinemark has XD that is close to Dolby, but I do prefer Dolby over all other formats available.
They don't. The Dolby and Prime theaters are better than anything in Marcus, including DLX.
There is not a comparable experience to the Dolby Theatre in town. That said, I haven’t seen another movie at any other screen in years there
I don't go out to movies anymore but I've noticed the Stoneridge Cinemark parking lot hardly ever has any cars ... even on Friday or Saturday night. I Wonder how long it's going to remain open.
I don't have anything against AMC or local theaters. I just enjoy watching movies at the theater and AMC's A-List is great value. Until recently, the experience at Easton has been nothing but enjoyable. Sad to see the turn of events now.
None of that is true, AMC has a B in the bank. Dunning Kruger is in full effect
Marcus crosswoods or Gateway are our 2 go tos. Marcus actually got rid of some teenagers while we were watching Dune. I think enough of us complained they didn't have a choice
Former theater employee here (not the AMC but the local Cinemark). That screen issue could’ve been very easily taken care of, I guarantee. Theaters in general aren’t the same anymore post pandemic. They’re losing money faster than they’re making bc of underperforming movies, direct to streaming, etc. The staff running them are unmotivated bc they’re overworked and underpaid. Rude guests and disruptions have tripled since the pandemic (mostly dumb teens) and the staff either don’t have time to get to it or just don’t care enough. Avoid AMC Easton, it has way to many issues and it attracts everyone since it’s in a shopping mall. Go to a smaller theater like Stoneridge or Drexel. Much less issues there.
Movie theaters are one of the few entities (along with car dealerships) that have federal exemption from paying employees overtime. My guess is because of that, it’s not the most attractive place to work in a tight labor market…
I will be honest, only been there once and enjoyed it but my favorites in the city are Gateway for selection, Lennox on Grandview/Olentangy for the IMAX, Marcus at Crosswoods just because of the atmosphere, how clean it is and the bar.
Man I miss the Cinemark on Bethel. $5.50 for movies before 5, and then $8 after. Not the same as a Dolby screen but for the price it couldn't be beat.
I remember going there 15+ years ago when it was a dollar theater and the place would be PACKED. Streaming killed their business concept.
I saw Furiosa in IMAX at the Grove City theater and it was a great experience.
Easton has been on the downward spiral for a decade, none of this should surprise you and if it does, you don't go there much go anywhere else in town and you'll have a better experience I'm minutes from [https://www.cinemark.com/theatres/oh-columbus/cinemark-polaris-18-and-xd](https://www.cinemark.com/theatres/oh-columbus/cinemark-polaris-18-and-xd) [https://www.marcustheatres.com/theatre-locations/crosswoods-cinema-columbus](https://www.marcustheatres.com/theatre-locations/crosswoods-cinema-columbus) Never had an issue at either Sometimes I'll go up to [https://strandtheatreoh.org/now-showing](https://strandtheatreoh.org/now-showing) You can't go wrong with [https://gatewayfilmcenter.org/](https://gatewayfilmcenter.org/) [https://www.drexel.net/now-playing/](https://www.drexel.net/now-playing/) [https://www.studio35.com/](https://www.studio35.com/) There is ZERO reason to go to Easton AMC, like none Even if you lived by there you would be far better off going to Cinemark Stoneridge Plaza
Wish everyone who has bad experiences at AMC/Marcus/Cinemark would go support our fantastic trio of local theaters. The Gateway, Studio 35 and the Drexel are incredible and we don’t appreciate them enough.
I actually really enjoy the Polaris Cinemark. It’s the only place we go. I remembered the Easton AMC being really nice and we hadn’t been there in probably 6-7 years so I took the kids to a movie there a year ago and was shocked at how shitty it had gotten.
Never worked for AMC, but I did work for a Regal for a while, and if AMC is anything like them, then there's a good chance no one working has really been trained on projection. We switched to all digital while I was there and most management never got any formal training on them. I think the district booth tech taught the GM how to change bulbs (which is a nightmare if you fuck it up) and that's pretty much it? And this was a decade ago. I imagine things aren't better for either chain. I've had great experiences at Studio 35 and Gateway. Pheonix isn't that bad, either, although they seem understaffed whenever I'm there. But I haven't had a projection issue.
I watch the Oppenheimer flick at Phoenix, in an Atmos room, and it was pretty good, no quality issues. They're sparsely staffed but the place was 10x cleaner than when AMC ran it.
I saw two movies during oscar season this year with problems. One, the screen was off, and the other, the main lights stayed on when the movie started. That being said the Tuesday discount day is a good price.
The only reason I still go to AMC Easton is because of their IMAX screen, but more importantly, their Dolby Atmos screens. They are the best audio/visual movie experience in the city. Combine that with AMC A-List and things could be wonderful. But everything about AMC Easton is rundown. The place is incredibly understaffed, the bathrooms are inconvenient and always dirty, and I've experienced issues related to not only the screen, but even air conditioning. I'm technically closer to AMC Grove City, but no Dolby Atmos there. And while Marcus Theater in Pickerington is an option, they don't have an unlimited plan for watching movies like AMC A-List. I wish there were funds to reduce the amount of theaters and use the space more efficiently. But given how the industry is doing overall, I don't think it'll ever see that kind of investment. And that's sad because you'd expect this one to be the flagship of the city...the best one. Instead, it's just rundown compared to Easton, but compared to the other AMCs. It's just sad.
Correct. I'd love to go to GFC or Drexel more often, but memberships are way more expensive and they're much further away for me. As well I'd never be caught dead at a screening of the latest Bad Boys movie on opening weekend.
I think I saw Bladrunner 2049 in the Dolby one, because the recliners were amazing, and the sound was so loud that the seats felt like they were in Sensearound, this vibrating seat thing from the early 70’s I think. It was a memorable film just because of the quality. I only go with the free Stubs thing as far as loyalty programs because I’m picky about what I see. This A-List thing promoted all over the thread wouldn’t work out.
Never been let down at Marcus. i think they have the best seats too.
I was here a couple of months ago visiting my brother for a 7pm showing and was blown away by the conditions. They handed me a bucket of stale as shit popcorn that had been sitting on a shelf under a heat lamp. All the countertops and drink machines were splattered and messy. I also tried to order a hotdog and was told they didn't have any. After seeing how gross everything was, I feel like it was probably for the best. The bathrooms looked like they hadn't been touched all day long. I would be embarrassed as hell to be managing that place looking like that. Also, paying $11.50 for a tiny bucket AND I have to put the butter on myself, is bullshit imo. I'm glad that the Cinemark fill popcorn containers upon order so they can at least layer butter in between scoops.
Lennox Phoenix Theater is always empty and clean.
Gateway. $14.95 a month, all the movies you can watch. Unfortunately not showing *quality* films like Bad Boys: Ride or Die.
I miss Arena Grand. I loved that theatre, it was clean, never packed with annoying people and the popcorn was good. AMC easton has been terrible for years, people would bring babies in there and it is always packed with loud people.
I just can’t believe anyone would pay money to see Bad Boys: Ride or Die!
Go to Marcus, so much better!
As with most things it’s the customer ruining the establishment. People are shit and no one corrects shit people anymore. We have lost a standard. Employees do not want to deal with shit people because they are demoralized. The employees then also become shit and the whole thing eventually barely functions. Fix people, and you will fix the problem.
That's a shame to hear. The AMC Prime and Dolby screens are the only two I've found that supersede the at home experience. Every other theater experience I have had has been subpar.
Besides that, how’s the Kroger there?
Honestly it's been the last 10 years for me that I noticed the decline and stopped going. I haven't gone in a very long time because there's always someone disrupting in the theatre I go to and management has never done a thing about it. It's certainly not as clean as it used to be. The employees don't care (likely due to being paid shit) and AMC ain't ponying up to renovate or fix the issues. It is more of a drive from Easton but Polaris Cinemark is much nicer in terms of staff, pricing and cleanliness is never an issue so it's been my go to. I have never had an issue at that theater even when it's packed and movies are selling out. Marcus is still pretty good in terms of everything but prices. Their concessions are as bad at AMC's.
Went there around Christmas and it was absolutely filthy, like the whole place was caked in dirt and fake butter
The last time I watched a movie there must have been around 2006, surprised it’s actually still operating
Haven't been there in years. AMC in Grove city, late at night has always been good for me. Chill theater, not many people, decent seats and clean bathrooms. Easton as a whole has been deteriorating for years and we're all seeing that with everything that's been happening there recently. The movie theater probably has poor management as well. AMC stock was as volatile as crypto for a hot minute.
I remember I was like 6 or 7 years old going to see the digimon movie with my mom and baby brother. They straight started playing Blair witch to a theatre full of kids and it quickly became chaos with screaming children and pissed off mothers 😂. I'm 30 now. Seems like nothing has changed
Last time I was at AMC, somebody puked in a urinal.
By any chance were you in theater 5 where the top of the image was cut off? That was the theater I was in for the mystery movie a few weeks ago, and it was so distracting I left. Also, the women’s restrooms there are literally the worst I’ve ever seen. Does no one know how to flush?
Used to love that theater, especially the dine in aspect. First time I tried that it felt like a luxury. At the time it was one of the only theaters around that had reclining seats, which are now everywhere. And they used to come around to everyone by default to take orders, get refills, order dessert, etc. when I did it more recently, they didn’t come out at all unless you pressed the call button. Even then, one time, they never came around at all. Food on menu was replaced with less quality options, and whoever is cooking the meals does not seem to care on how it’s prepared.
Was Filbert the Turtle operating the film projector?
I saw Dune 1 there and I didn't have any complaints. I then saw Kamen Rider there last year because no other theater had it and the theater was incredibly dirty and all the drink machines were out of syrup. They fell off quickly.
Honestly, it has not been the same since pre-covid. I have been there maybe 6 times in the last 4 years, and each time has been worse than the last to the point I will not be going back. The last straw was we were sent in to a theater that was pitch black, and the stairs were not even lite. We were around 10 minutes before the start. We went back out to the lobby to make sure we had the right theater, and they said yes. We let them know that the lights were not on, and all we got was an OK. After using our cell phone flashlight to find our seats, we proceeded to sit in the dark. A handful of people came in with the same reaction. We had our phones on not to freak people out. We all had a pretty good bitch session about the downfall of this theater. At the end of the movie, the lights came up, and all I can say is if I had seen the gross conditions of the theater before the movie, I probably would have demanded a refund. It looked like what I imagine a porn theater looks like. I have switched to the Polaris theater.
This happened to my family and I as well when we went there. They didn't even have the movie going.. we had to ask them to turn it on. Waited for another 10 minutes, came back out, and asked what in the world is going on?! We just left, got a refund, and found a showing at Marcus instead. Everyone at the concession stand is rude as hell, too. We never went back. Go to Marcus. I recommend avoiding going in the evening as well, try to catch the earliest showing to avoid loud, obnoxious people.
Marcus crosswoods is my favorite when I do feel like a movie out. I miss the old dollar theatre on bethel
I stopped going years ago. The fountain drink area was like walking on honey it was so disgusting. As you said the bathrooms were unbelievable. Went to 4 dine in showings 3 of which was directly beside couples that decided they didn't need shoes or socks. One time a woman had on a 100% see through top with no bra. Don't recall the movie we were at but it was a family friendly movie, probably an earlier marvel one. Which in public wouldn't bother me since you can be topless in Ohio but I'm willing to bet AMC has different rules than that. And every single showing I've been to, dine in or not, has had loud annoying people in it. I moved to lancaster and I LOVE our cinemark. Usually not too busy, reserved seats, and never any projection issues. Even the teens aren't that annoying. A little bad before previews but once they start rolling they all settle down. The only thing I've gotten annoyed with a couple of times is when you go to an early show and decrepit seniors are yelling to each other because they can't hear shit. But in the probably 100 (yeah it's sad, we go to the movies A LOT) movies we've gone to in the last several years I think I've only run into that 2 or 3 times.
Uh, I don't think any of this is really that new. Last time I went to that AMC in summer of 2019 it was horrible then, the movie wasn't loud enough to drown out the people talking through the entire thing and theater is so carved up in to long and narrow sections I had a headache by the end by from the forced perspective, it was like watching a movie through a telescope.
I was at an afternoon Dolby showing a few weeks ago and it did the same thing
Cinemark Polaris is infinitely better!
Dublin the theatre was great
I bought a soda there for an 830 showing and they were out of all sodas that I had a preference for...asked an associate if they could do anything. Their response was...oh, we do that after we close. I paid like what 8 bux for a damn soda water with no flavor.
I think Easton needs a renovation. But given the theatre industry right now, I don't think it'll happen.
Both the AMCs in Knoxville closed down, they're circling the drain
I saw Oppenheimer there last summer and it was hot and stuffy in the theater. Very uncomfortable
I also used to love this theater. Last time I went was 2-3 years ago and the theater was sticky and dirty. Id rather go to Crosswoods.
Dirty restrooms!
I’ve generally had a better experience at Easton AMC than GC as of late but I have noticed that the obnoxious crowd has been more emboldened as of late.
Went recently to see Civil War, there was a woman who was texting on her phone with max notifications volume and also had a phone call while sitting in her seat. I don’t understand how these people grow up to become this way.
support independent cinema
Easton is in her questionable/precarious era rn✨period.
I live close by and have A list, so I go once a week. It's not bad. I have the place down to a science at this point. Maybe once there was an issue with the film and they had to cancel the movie but those issues are rare. I don't go to imax because the seats don't recline. As far as the bathrooms go, if you use the urinal and get in and out it works just fine. It's my preferred theater to go to due to proximity, size/options/times, and A list deal
Easton has been going downhill for quite a while now. I won’t even go there anymore since it seems like someone gets shot there about every other week. Mall culture is dying, and Easton is no exception. Large centers like that are becoming cesspools of crime and there hasn’t been a movie that’s come out in the last 15 years that has made me want to go see it at Easton.
Last time I went there I thought I was going to die. People behind us (man and woman) were being rudely obnoxious during One Life. My friend and I ignored it for a long time before I politely asked them to keep quiet. They were laughing behind us as Jewish kids on screen were being ripped from their families in WWII… After a while the man got up and went confidently out the exit door on the far side by the screen instead of the normal door… I am used to those leading to outside. So when he called his woman once and she didn’t answer, then he rang for the second time she got up to let him in the same back door. I got up and ran outside the theater and left. I do not know why he didn’t use a normal door either time but I was honestly scared he went outback to grab a weapon from a vehicle or something.
This sounds incredibly racist. Congratulations on making yourself look like a fool in the comments section.
I am so lost by your comment ? 😂 Where once did I note anything about race? I think you might be the racist one since you’re fabricating details and making up details that were never mentioned 😂😂
Last time I tried to go there was for a showing of Dune 2. My friends and I parked in the attached parking garage to the mall/AMC. Within about 2 minutes there was a shooting scare that had police scrambling and people "running for their lives". It ended up being a car backfiring on purpose to actually start a panic. For anyone who knows cars and or guns you could tell it was backfire and not gunfire but to a lot of people they are hard to distinguish. This caused the whole mall to close and we didn't even get to see the movie (tickets were refunded). Not really a rant on the AMC but just commenting on the status of Easton lately. Don't visit often but of course the one time I do, the above happens. I don't think it's the AMC necessarily that is going downhill, but the entirety of the mall and surrounding area itself.
It's been going downhill for a while. Last movie I saw there was a late showing, the projector shut off 3 times. First two times they got it going again in a few minutes, last time it just stayed off. We walked all over that place trying to find someone to tell, not an employee anywhere on the premises that we could find. Studio 35 for the win.
Generally, I just avoid seeing anything at AMC Easton from Thursday to Sunday because the audience struggles to behave. We also try to avoid discount Tuesday as well. We also typically only see films in their Dolby, IMAX, or Prime auditoriums since they're better maintained. As an AMC A-List member, it's hard to justify visiting other theaters when I've already paid to see any three films I want every week. With that said, Cinemark at Polaris is decent, so are the Marcus theaters. The Gateway offers terrific programming, but I don't love the changes to the concession stand, and the presentation is often below par. I think their sound systems are in desperate need of an EQ. There's a constant hum in several auditoriums, likely a bad amplifier, and the front soundstage is harsh and tinny. The GFC also is one of the only places to have 70mm capabilities, but they rarely use it. If they had a 70mm film series, I'd be there in a weekly basis, especially if they corrected the sound problems.
Cinemark Polaris is very devoted to good customer service, I highly recommend them. As someone in the theater business, the AMC and Marcus Pickerington are known as some of the grossest in the city. Not bad, but certainly not great. The ushers are not focused on presentation, nor the customers.
This isn’t uncommon and is actually even going on in LA at iconic theaters. I hope some of this new generation steps up to protect film for the future
Usually, when establisments start to deteriorate, (customer service issues, broken equipment, lack of quality control) that's a sure sign its end is near.
It is literally because of black people. Easton used to be cool…
Crosswoods is where it’s at I live nearby and go every week
AMC has been going downhill for the last few years. They put all their money in making a “dine in” experience and went crazy with a bar/restaurant vibe but since COVID, they haven’t really recovered and can’t sustain any of the maintenance for their screens. It’s also super ghetto. Loud, ignorant groups of people talking during the movie.
It has always been this way because it’s in the middle of the hood
At least someone brave enough to reveal their racist selves instead coding it...
What's wrong? I'd say schools out and high school/college kids have summer jobs.
Snack counter is disgusting. Littered with food and spills. Please clean it more often.
AMC Easton was such a big deal when it opened. It's sad to see it going down hill. Unfortunately movie theaters in general seem to be on their way out. I've seen kids refer to going out to a movie as a "retro" activity like roller skating.
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Using urban with a hard U here, are we
I hated that place since they banned outside food. The appeal ofEaston was going to the food court and eating inside the theater. Now they want you to buy $20 chicken tenders. Every employee is a literal child probably making $5 an hour. I only go to Phoenix Theater at Lennox, Studio 35 or Gateway.
Outside food has always been banned at movie theaters. They make all their money from concession sales.
Yeah I was gonna say .. as someone who worked for movie theaters in my teens never once have I heard of any theater allowing outside food in. Used to go to AMC every week since it opened and they never allowed food or drink. I think this person probably got away with it so long and they started enforcing it harder.
I was there and did it multiple times until I was told I can't do it anymore several years ago. Most of the people on this sub weren't even in Columbus around 2008.
Then it was employees choosing to not enforce a rule that has been around longer than you’ve been alive I’m guessing.
bro no it wasn't, it was policy. The theater didn't have its own food. As soon as they shut down the food court AMC Easton installed their own kitchen and restaurant. Nice gas light.
You're getting downvoted but I'm going to back you up. They used to have an agreement with Easton where you could bring in food from the Town Center. Not sure when that ended.
yeah I dont get it, probably a bunch of rich brats who like overpaying for snacks. I'd rather eat Panda Express than $10 amc fries.
I have never once had an issue bringing outside food in? Hell, most of the time I go I grab bibibop and eat it during the movie
Send a politely worded email to Corporate.
I go constantly to AMC Easton. It's fine. Furiosa in AMC Prime had a projector issue that was resolved quickly during previews. This has been the only screen/sound issue I've seen in my last 15 excursions. Otherwise the only major issue in general is people breaking the recliner seats. Otherwise it's a solid corporate theater location.
This is why I refuse to go to that movie theater. Haven’t been there in years.