Lincoln Plaza Cinemas

Like many others, I got bit by a nasty bedbug while I went to a screening of 45 Years. I came home, put my clothes in the bathtub where they can’t crawl out and that was the end of it.
Be VERY careful in this theater. I will not be going back and am going to contact the Daily News about it since the management clearly doesn’t think there is a problem.

The seats are so uncomfortable it’s like sitting on a wooden bench. I avoid this theater at all cost. Living in NYC there are many other options. The owner should spent some money and upgrade this place.

Like R.R., whose review is below, I felt something on my forearms while enjoying a great movie. I thought they might be fleas, but three big welts developed on my arm later that night. I called the theater and asked for customer service. I told the man who answered which theater I’d been in and for which showing. His response was the equivalent of «says you,» and he said the theater exterminated regularly.
I want to support this theater because they show great films. But I won’t be back until I hear they’ve done a thorough bed-​bug treatment of all their theaters.

I’m sad to have to write this because the Lincoln Plaza Cinemas shows excellent films and I’ve been there many times without incident. But it looks like they may have bedbugs. Up until now I would have given it 4 or 5 stars due to the great selection of films shown there. But on the evening of Saturday, December 26^th, 2015, I went to a film at the theater all the way to the right as you walk in (located next to a long hallway leading to restrooms). During the movie I had a momentary feeling that something was crawling on me, but I didn’t feel anything more or see anything when we left the theater and went home. The next morning I noticed that my right arm near my hand was itching a lot. Then I noticed a series of red bites on my lower arm and upper arm, all in the classic 3-​bite bedbug pattern. That night I also noticed several bites in a row on my right leg. We are taking what precautions we can now, such as putting clothes in a hot dryer for 40 minutes, of course hoping that we didn’t bring anything home, but I got many bites so there must have been more than one bug and I’m very concerned. I’m hoping Lincoln Plaza Cinemas will have the place treated and no one else will be affected. Sadly, I’m hesitant to go there again. I guess going to the movies in NYC is just risky, and we all have to take precautions against bedbugs every time. I’m hoping that one day soon there will be a way to get rid of these bugs for good.

If it is possible to see a film playing at the Lincoln Plaza Cinemas anywhere else, do. A cramped lobby, truly dismissive ticket-​taking staff, small screens, poorly pitched auditoriums and worst of all, lobby noise that is clearly heard inside the auditoriums make for a poor movie-​going experience. My recent visit to see «Youth» incorporated all of the above. After the film I asked a staff person if he was a manager and his response was «sometimes.» When I said the lobby was cramped and the screening disturbed by lobby noise he said «we have a tight schedule.» At least he was honest.

Both times I attempted to see a movie at this theater I arrived at the wrong time. I agree with other reviewers. Some how the times listed are not the same as when you arrive at the theater. One time I just killed time until the show. The other I was not alone so we decided just to skip the movie and find other entertainment.
Also like others have mentioned, it’s old. It’s not old in a nice historic preservation manner. It’s old in an uncomfortable, musty, boring, feeling unsafe manner! I have the feeling I need to see their fire inspection!
After the last attempt to see a film here I never returned…

This is one of the very few theaters in New York City which shows first rate independent films. The films are shown here before anywhere else and as a result the theater attracts many people. But the viewers are treated like trash by the management which is incompetent.
Lincoln Plaza is a small theater built many years ago. As a result, it cannot accommodate all the people who want to see all those first rate independent films. So they are shunted into a small waiting area. Then about a half hour before the film begins, they are told they can line up. Normally, in a well managed theater, that would go well. But due to mismanagement, the lines are unruly. People leave the lines to go to the bathroom but when they return, they stand outside the line so that when the barrier rope is lowered, they can run into the theater ahead of everyone else. When I alerted the management about this, I told them no fewer than three times that two people behind me in line had stepped outside and were attempting to enter the theater ahead of everyone else. They even grabbed their friend who held their places in line and together the three of them entered the theater as soon as everyone else from the previous showing was leaving.
The management paid no attention. Meanwhile most of us had been standing in that line for a half hour. It was not fun. On another occasion, an elderly couple sat down and when my husband and I attempted to sit in the two seats next to them they said those seats were taken by friends of theirs stuck in traffic!!! Meanwhile, there were no other seats to be had! Finally, a kind man in the next row beckoned my husband to one seat and me to another but we had to sit separately. I told the management about this. They did nothing. The friends showed up after the film started.
What this theater needs is entirely new management and new staff who tell people to wait their turn. New Yorkers tend to not like to wait their turn if they think they can find a faster way to get what they want so it will not go down well. But unless they do, more and more people will wait for those films to be released on Netflix. It simply is not worth it. Where are the ArcLight theaters with their book ahead reserved seats now that we really need them in New York?

OK. It shows best art house movies in the city, but we’re reviewing the theater and its staff.
the latter are horrendously rude, and the theater is ok but an upgrade in the quality of the seats would be nice. Still better than the ones at the Angelica and you don’t have to crane your head to see the screen, only to need a chiropracter the next day.
The crowd is seriously senior, especially the daytime screenings, but not a problem.
In the end I come for the movies, and unlike it’s Lincoln Square sister to the north you don’t have to sit thru 80 goddam commericals and trailers before the movie starts.
Just know you’ll have to wait on line crammed in like sardines and treated rudely.
But once the lights dim and the screen flickers you’ll forget all about it.
Their snack bar is quite good as well.
By the way if you’ve hit your 50’s tell them you’re a senior and save 4 $, they never check.

Absolutely love the arthouse and Europhile programming. But what’s with the geriatric quality to this place? I have nothing against old folks. In fact, I love them. But why is that the only demographic that goes to this place? Young folks: Start going here! It’s a good theater. I feel like I’m in a nursing home every time I go here. It’s been that way for 15 years. Let’s change this already, New York.

Movies here are wonderful. The venue itself is old and not always clean. The people who work here are rude, dismissive, and nasty (except for the lovely woman behind the snack counter).
Movie times should not be changed once they are printed and don’t blame your customers for not knowing this. Don’t say to a client «are you questioning ME?» Don’t apologize with a sarcastic tone, either. Maybe give customers a free soda or bottle of water to make up for the fact that you messed with many customer’s schedules with your mistake and you did not seem to be anything other than defensive.

Independent Film Theater lacks in several factors. The age really does show in this location. I expect Clark Gable’s corpse to walk out of the bathroom.
Small theaters, old seats, small screens. Antiquated fixtures and aesthetics.

It’s so great to have an alternative to the AMC’s and mainstream movies in the area. I saw the independent film Wild Tales here which ended up being very entertaining. It’s not the nicest of theaters as far as seats and cafes go but I look forward to seeing what other films come through.

This theater may not have the amenities of an AMC or Regal. It’s small, compact, underground. But it is the best place to go see an independent film in New York. I went there all through college and now that I am back in NY I continue to visit this place. The people there are respectful film buffs, who are there to enjoy offbeat, hard to find or small scale films. Sure, you can see some of these at a chain theater. But the atmosphere is different.
Here’s what I love about LPC: the indie films that become major sleepers, the theater will carry them for a long time. I think Boyhood is still playing once or twice a day. LPC carries a wide variety of films and if you see the trailer, it will come to that theater.
If you like indies or foreign movies, go to LPC and try it out.

As a worldly man, with taste that expands centuries, I expect way more out of Lincoln Center than what my most recent experience provided me. And on another frosty day I decided to retry the cinema in Lincoln Center. The REAL Lincoln Center wouldn’t let me down twice… would it?
NO! In true fashion Lincoln Center seized the second act. However, I must admit, I opted against the Megaplex Monstropolis of last time. This time I went to Lincoln Plaza Cinemas, a quaint shop for art house cinema and those mature enough to sit still for longer than a few minutes.
The audience consisted solely of senior citizens. Sure, there was the constant whispering of «Huh, what, did he say,» «Is that Jack Nickalus,» and «Subtitles?! I should have brought my glasses.» I did not care. Film can be a communal experience. AS LONG AS THAT COMMUNICATION ISN’T ON A DAMN SMARTPHONE.
My film of choice was a Leviathan. A thrilling Russian film that unfolded like a matryoshka doll. It was a masterful piece that deserved its residence among the other great works residing in Lincoln Center.
The venue could not have been more splendid. Popcorn doused in butter of the NATURAL VARIETY. I even indulged in a raspberry rugallach to accompany my savory snack (the sweet treats always get the best of me).
Overall Rating: ⁵⁄₅ — Phenomenal venue that has earned its place among the other greats of this area. Bravo, Brava.
Your Delighted Critic,
TheReverend57

Three stars as a theater because the seats are adequate, the screens are small, and the sight lines could be compromised for shorter viewers by taller viewers. Otherwise, it’s a perfectly adequate theater. You’ll probably go here because a picture is playing that isn’t at the chain theaters. If this is closer, there is no compelling reason to travel to the IFC, Angelika, or Sunshine theaters instead of Lincoln Plaza. Adult tickets were $ 14 (01/​25/​2015, screen 4, «Boyhood»).
BONUS: No advertisements before the movie, just a few trailers.
BONUS: Strong mobile signal in the basement. If you need or want, it’s there.
BONUS: Good value at the snacks stand. The $ 2 espresso hit the spot, along with $ 2.75 Evian or Poland Springs (your choice) water
TIP: Cash only at the snacks stand.
TIP: Online tickets at
, but there is a $ 1.5 fee.

I love these cinemas. When I lived in NYC, I went weekly and picked a movie at random. I rarely got stuck with a poor choice because I could rely on the selection here. I was not disappointed when I visited on Friday and chose the dark Russian movie, ‘Leviathan’.
If you’re into mammoth-​screened theaters with la-​z-​boy loungers and an endless concession stand, it ain’t here. The small screens are on the lower level, the theaters are compact, and the snacks are limited but good.
The Lincoln Plaza Cinemas and The Paris Theatre have served me well over the years.

This was an odd experience. I went here to see Pelican Dreams (a bird documentary) last week, as there were only two theaters in a 90-​mile radius playing the film.
To enter, you exit the busy street and go down a flight of stairs. The entire theater is underground. At first, I thought the theater had been abandoned. It had the same feel as those outdated 1980s malls where everything is eerie and empty. I wondered if murderers were hiding in the darkened corners. When I entered the specific theater showing Pelican Dreams, I sat alone for a very long time.
Cell reception is virtually nonexistent, so don’t count on your phone to keep you company while you wait.
Still, I’m a fan of weird experiences, so I kind of enjoyed this place. It was a Thursday night and there was almost no one there, which was kind of nice once you got over the feeling that you’re in a place you shouldn’t be. The employees were neither friendly nor unfriendly, and the bathrooms were clean. I would probably go back. It’s a good place for seeing artsy films or documentaries, but anything with action or special effects would be better viewed at a large, modern cinema. I’m not sure they play that kind of stuff here, anyway.

This place was a singular point of survival when I lived in NYC some 9 years ago. I was tickled to revisit it tonight.
Still great movies to choose from. Still real butter on the popcorn.
A sanctuary in the city — not your usual theater experience. I don’t know what it is, something about the movies or maybe the crowd, but people feel friendlier. I’ve talked to more strangers after a movie here than anywhere else in any city.
It’s a sweet spot within a crazy town. I highly recommend it for NY-​ers. Or non NY-​ers. Though you might not get the same sense of relief in connection and in finding a place to truly unwind in a crowd. Both hard to come by experiences in NYC.

Ahhh, love the movies here, but not the sound of construction so loud it’s actually hard to hear dialog over it.
That said, Citizenfour is one of those rare movies for which constant jack-​hammering roaring through the walls of the theater actually enhances the mood.

For an old new york movie going experience, in both the literal and figurative meaning of the word, Lincoln Plaza Cinemas is worth at least 90 minutes of your time. (If it’s worth the $ 14 ticket price really depends on the movie)
Long before late 20^th century humans transformed their eye ball exercise experience into one of pampering and comfort, there were movie houses like this one. Stadium seating? Reserved space? Large screens and advanced sound systems? Hardly. Stripped down to the essentials, the space is minimalist and would likely defy the typical moviegoer’s expectations, resulting in confusion and anger.
But you don’t really come to Lincoln Plaza Cinemas to watch explosions, babes and teenage summer blockbusters that dominate the cinema-​scape. The types of movies that are filled with sound and fury but signify nothing are thankfully absent here.
The previews alone would put many a moviegoer to sleep. A movie coming out about the post world war II move to criminalize genocide? Not exactly escapist fantasy.
So this is where the remaining adults of the world go to watch movies. Based on the average observed age, those remaining adults are mainly over 60 with a splattering of European tourists added to the mix (and me). Part of the fun of coming here is relishing being so far outside of the main stream. I almost expect to have conversations about Jolson, philately and the Works Progress Administration with some of the folks here.
Content aside, the chairs are uncomfortable so try not to see any film lasting more than 90 minutes. The interior feels like it’s the 1970s where you’d expect to see men in trench coats engaged in auto-​erotic behavior while watching skin flicks before taking the metro north home to their wives.
You take an elevator downstairs to enter this subterranean anachronistic lair. You have no sense of what the outside world is up to while underground. It’s an appropriate spot for fans of films that gross less than a million and have budgets that may be even less. Pushed to the fringes of society, come to this cinema to indulge your obscure interests in British comedians taking a trip through Italy and be safe, far away from the comforts and distractions of the above world.