Niantic Cinemas in Niantic, Connecticut: Review

While many escape to the large cinemas to see their favorite movie, some in southeastern Connecticut visit their independently-owned small cinema in downtown Niantic on Main Street. The Niantic Cinema opened in 1951 in Niantic at 279 Main Street. According to Cinema Treasures, like many older cinemas, this one originally opened as a single screen theater and during its life, the auditorium was divided to create an additional theater and additions were added.

Currently, it features five theaters and was known for part of its life as a theater showing foreign and independent films as well as films that had left the major cinemas but had not yet made it to video.

Cinema Treasures reports that in 2000, the cinema switched to first run movies and 2003 was the last year an addition was made to the theater adding a fifth auditorium aimed to compete with larger nearby cinemas.

A large mural of Charlie Chaplin with an ocean blue background and movie posters showing the movies that are playing are in front of the building.

Unlike some cinemas that have electronic signing, here movies and their times are listed on a traditional letter board outside the theater.

At night, there are white flashing lights that dance around the "Niantic Cinemas" marquee with red letters over a purple background.

Many enjoy going to this cinema because it is within walking distance to many independently-owned shops and restaurants as well as a small beach and the Niantic Bay Boardwalk.

I have been to this theater several times and was amazed by the size of the two lobbies the cinema has.

The first lobby area is where the ticket booth is located while the second lobby area leads customers to the concession stand.

I remember going on Celebrate East Lyme day a few years ago and the long line of customers at the concession stand.

The theater tends to be busiest in the summer especially on days that are rainy or so hot and humid that people want to escape from the heat.

Prices for sodas, popcorn, and candy were less than what you see at the large cinemas and the popcorn was really fresh.

What is unique about this theater is the fact that they often hold showing the previews for movies until after the line subsides at the concession stand.

The attractive pricing brings many to the cinema.

According to the Niantic Cinema Web site, Matinee tickets for movies being shown before 6 p.m. are only $5.

For shows after 6 p.m., seniors 62 and older, children ages 3-11, and all military are $5 while adults are $7.50.

While the cinema does not have the stadium-style seating and state-of-the-art sound, its seating is on an angle and seats do have cup holders.

In the late 1990's, the cinemas was showing age under previous management but has since been updated and the ocean blue color from the outside has been continued into the auditoriums.

Each movie has about four show times in each auditoirum with times beginning as early as 12:30 p.m. and going as late as 10:30 p.m.

There is a parking lot behind the cinema and additional parallel parking is available on Main Street.

For those who love coffee, do not fret because a small independently-owned coffee shop is located next door to the theater.

According to the Boston Globe, Katharine Hepburn, who lived a few towns over in Old Saybrook, used to catch movies at the Niantic Cinemas.

Currently, the closest movie theaters competing with Niantic Cinemas consist of Regal Cinema 9 in Waterford in Cross Roads Center, Groton Cinema 6 in Groton Shoppers Mart, and Regal Cinema 10 in Stonington.

In comparison, according to the Regal Entertainment Group website, Regal Cinema 9 Waterford charges customers $6.50 for matinees, children, and seniors while the adult price after 6 p.m. is $9.

At their Stonington location, customers pay $7 for matinees while children and seniors pay $6.50 and the adult price after 6 p.m. is $10.

Groton Cinema 6, run by the Boston Culinary Group Theater Division, charges customers $5.50 for matinees, children, and seniors while the adult price after 6 p.m. is $8.50.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Groton Cinemas 6 has all movies for only $5.

To get to the theater from New Haven and points south, take I-95 North to Exit 72 and take a left onto Route 156, drive for 2.5 miles and the cinema is on the left.

From Providence and points north and east, take I-95 South to Exit 74 and take a right off the ramp and take Route 161 toward Niantic to the end, then turn right onto Main Street/Route 156 and the cinema is on the right.

For more information about the Niantic Cinemas, call 860-739-9995.