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Right now is the perfect time to hit up a movie theater.
Whether you’re hoping to snag a new blockbuster, a classic you’ve always wanted to see on the big screen or, with the Oscars coming up in just weeks, an awards contender people won’t stop talking about, there’s plenty to no excuses to switch from your sofa to a comfortable cinema seat.
Here are some of the best movie theaters in the Kansas City region.
Looking for dinner and a show? Check these out
Located in the former Alamo Drafthouse theater, B&B Theaters – Mainstreet KC at the Power & Light District it’s a beautiful and historic place to watch a movie. The iconic four-story building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. It has changed ownership and names over the years, but first opened as Mainstreet Missouri, a more than 100-year-old vaudeville and movie theater does.
The theater itself serves an assortment of fast food-style meals, such as burgers and fries, and is attached to Johnnie’s Jazz Bar & Grille, which also offers live entertainment. Follow this link for show times, ticket prices and more information.
AMC Theaters has a ton of locations around Kansas City, of course, but some have menus that go far beyond the regular concessions. There is the AMC Dine-In Prairiefire 17 in Overland Park, Kansas, and the AMC Dine-In Studio 28 in Olate, Kansas. From pizza and salad to burgers and sandwiches, the venues share the same extensive menu and offer mouthwatering desserts like double-deck shakes.
Independent and locally owned theatres
Glenwood Arts Theater in Overland Park isn’t just locally owned, it’s “sister owned!” Twin brothers Brian and Ben Mossman opened the place more than 40 years ago.
Today, Glenwood Arts shows some successes, but their main focus is on independent or small, locally created films. Starting February 18 and 21, they will show the Oscar 2023 short film animation and documentary categories.
Screenland armor ia historic, independent theater in North Kansas City. It first opened in 1928 as the Armor Theater and today it screens everything from Marvel films to international or local independent films to blockbusters. They also serve movie-themed food (like “Jon Hamm & Cheese” and “The Kevin Bacon” sandwiches), as well as 20 draft beers and alcoholic slushes. Also, Screenland recently opened a 90s-themed bar in the basement called Rewind Video (find it by walking across the alley behind the theater).
Tivoli at Nelson-Atkins it is well known in the city for showing independent films, restored old films, foreign films and more. While some may be familiar with Tivoli from its old days in Westport, that venue sadly closed, but Tivoli quickly found a new home at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s auditorium.
(On May 19 and 21, Tivoli will show “The Passenger,” a 1975 film. The screening is in conjunction with the museum’s exhibition “Alberto Giacometti: Toward the Ultimate Figure,” opening May 18.)
Located in Independence, Missouri, Cinema Pharaoh 4 it is another old fashioned theater which is over 40 years old. With its nostalgic neon sign and stained glass windows, the Pharaoh is a lovely way to step back in time and watch a movie (even if the movies are contemporary).
More great theaters to try
It’s a little chilly for a drive-in movie, but when spring rolls around you’ll want to keep these two theaters in mind: Drivewayheadquartered in Kansas City, Kansas, e B&B Theaters Twin Drive In located in Independence, Missouri.
Load up on your favorite drinks and snacks and pack some cozy pillows and blankets and you’ll be all set! Though both locations are closed for the season, Boulevard reopens in April 2023. Twin Drive In hasn’t announced when it will reopen, but stay tuned to their social media to find out.
If you’re feeling like a big shot, check out Kansas City’s largest theater: Regier Extreme Screen Theater. The Extreme Screen is a massive 400 seat theater with an 80 x 53 foot screen, but tucked inside Union Station it hides in plain sight. The theater shows first-run family films, retro holiday films, and educational films.
