Top Three Movie Theatres in the Quad City Area

It's no cheap matter taking your family to see a movie these days. Unfortunately, it hasn't been for the past number of years, but with the economy the way it is, it's just all the more expensive. In the Quad Cities area alone there are three main movie theaters at each price point for moviegoers to choose from. As a customer of each of these on more than one occasion, I'll give you an idea of what you should expect at each theater, including price, food, and overall experience.

Showcase Cinemas 53

Location:

3601 East 53rd Street
Davenport, IA 52807

Matinee ticket prices everyday: $6.00

Ticket prices on weekdays after 6:00: $6.75

Ticket prices on weekends after 6:00: $9.50

Showcase Cinemas 53 has a reputation of being the nicest theatre in the Quad Cities. From the outside, it looks like a giant glass-windowed stadium. When we've gone to see movies there, however, we've found the floors to be kind of sticky, and although the ticket prices aren't bad for a matinee, the cost of popcorn and pop makes up for it. Pop is usually over $4.00, and small popcorn is close to this as well. Prices go up from here, although it is fairly easy to split the pops if you get separate straws and a large drinking cup. These prices are pretty typical at a theatre, though, so if you live on the Iowa side of the Quad Cities (or are there on errands already), this is a great place to go. They also carry the usual fare, such as nachos, pretzels, and cases of theater candy.

As far as movie selections, Showcase Cinemas 53 has 18 screens, some of which play the same movies at the same time, depending on their popularity. They are among the first to get new movies in the Quad Cities.

Great Escape Theatre: Moline 14

Location:

4100 38th St.
Moline, IL 61265

Matinee ticket prices: $7.00

Adult ticket prices after 6:00: $9.50

Child ticket prices: $6.75

Great Escape is my personal favorite theater in the Quad Cities, partially because it is conveniently located near Wal-mart and Lowe's in Moline. This theater is comparable to Showcase 53, as it usually carries the same movies at the same time. As you can see, the matinee ticket prices are a bit more, but the adult prices after 6 p.m. are the same.

They are priced along similar lines as Showcase Cinemas as far as food goes. The same expensive pop and popcorn are offered, but they also offer a kid's pack for around $4 or $5 dollars that offers a small pop, popcorn, and a candy pack (usually Skittles). It's great for any age and usually is enough to satisfy your junk craving. They also carry nachos, nacho pretzels, regular pretzels, and various movie candy.

We've always found the seating and environment fairly clean here, with some exceptions, but don't arrive too early unless your movie is popular, because you'll get bored to death with the commercials. We usually bring some type of electronic (which we always turn off when the movie comes on) to play with until then, but we are very sensitive to other people's needs, too, so we use ear phones so as not to be a bother. I suggest you do the same if you bring something along.

Nova 6 Cinemas

Location:

2018 36^th Avenue
Moline, IL

Ticket prices anytime: $4.25

Ticket prices with popcorn and pop: $5.00

Nova 6 is a great theater to hit if you're willing to wait a couple weeks until your movie is no longer in mainstream theaters. During that lull between the time the movie first comes out and when it comes onto DVD, Nova 6 will get some of the most popular movies for your viewing entertainment.

The best thing about Nova 6 is that it's significantly cheaper to take a family to see a show. For only $5, you can get a ticket, popcorn, and a pop. That means for a family of 4, you can see a show for $20, the cost of about three tickets and no snacks anywhere else.

The viewing at Nova 6 is comparable to Great Escape, even though it might not be quite as big of a theater. You usually don't have to show up hours before the show starts, either, like at some theaters.