It’s time to go to the movies and enjoy all the latest new movie releases out now in theaters!
In a city as big and bountiful as Birmingham, AL, there are so many local movie theaters near you to choose from that it can be hard to know where to start. Just searching “movie theaters near me” is overwhelming AF––what’s the difference between one theater and another? Is it worth the trek across town to go to one local movie theater with reclining seats versus the one around the corner? Do I want to ball out and get drinks served at my seat, or keep it chill at an independent movie theater with drinks and unique food offerings? With dozens of movie theaters within the Birmingham area, it’s no wonder you don’t know where to start!
Don’t worry, we’re here to help make your decision easier. We’ve narrowed it down to 10 of our favorite local movie theaters in Birmingham to help you make the most of your movie theater experience.
Grab some movie theater popcorn and get comfy as we dive into our Birmingham movie theater guide!
Not in Birmingham? Check out our New York City movie theater guide here and all of our other local movie theater guides. Want one for your city? Let us know on Twitter.
Birmingham Movie Theaters: AMC Summit 16
The AMC Summit 16 is located right in the Summit Birmingham shopping mall and provides a perfect opportunity to relax and catch a movie after a long day of shopping. AMC is one of the most popular movie theater chains in the country for a reason, and they don’t miss here — this theater boasts a RealD 3D theater and has 10 screens total.
The theater’s marquee gives off an incredibly classic vibe. There’s something refreshing about a movie theater calling itself a cinema, no? This AMC rocks some crazy carpeting and throwback red fabric seats. In the era of leather reclining chairs in the movie theater, sometimes it’s nice to enjoy a more typical movie theater experience.
Multiple Google reviewers complimented AMC Summit 16’s popcorn and noted that the staff followed COVID-19 protocols incredibly well over the last year.
AMC Summit 16
321 Summit Blvd
Birmingham, AL 35243
You can view showtimes at AMC Summit 16 and purchase movie tickets here.
Birmingham Movie Theaters: Grand River Drive-In
Nothing — absolutely nothing — says summer like catching a movie at the drive-in. There are reportedly about 325 drive-in movie theaters in the United States, and the Grand River Drive-In is a perfect option if you’re dying to see a movie outside in the Birmingham area.
This location boasts a snack shack (classic), as well as an off-leash dog park, a playground, a miniature golf course, and yard games. With tickets for adults only $8, it doesn’t seem like you can beat this location. One Google reviewer visited recently and complimented recent changes, calling them “transformative for the property and customer.”
“The addition of Saw’s and Neighbors as well as the on-site brew-pub make the old ‘dinner and a movie’ routine a bit more fun. Surprisingly, the drinks are not super movie-theater expensive,” Luan Bradshaw wrote. “The choice of 4 double features means nearly anyone can find entertainment for a reasonable price. Big screens, ample parking, and sound limited only by your car’s audio features, round out a pleasant movie-going experience.”
Grand River Drive-In
1453 Grand River Pkwy N
Leeds, AL 35094
You can view showtimes and purchase a ticket to Grand River Drive-In here.
Birmingham Movie Theaters: Birmingham Premiere LUX Ciné
IMAX and D-BOX lovers, this one’s for you. This theater boasts one of the most unique movie theater experiences around: D-BOX seating technology, which enables each audience member to control how much their seat moves (!!) to match the intensity of what’s happening on screen. Imagine seeing your favorite action movie here!
Quite frankly, this theater looks incredible. It boasts a modern design, along with an arcade and a lavish refreshment area, including a pizza bar! It’s all in the name, but if you’re looking for a luxury movie theater experience in Birmingham… look no further. Just remember to save us a seat!
Birmingham Premiere LUX Ciné GSX & Pizza Pub
501 Lakeshore Pkwy
Birmingham, AL 35209
Birmingham Movie Theaters: Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema
Let’s hear it for the independent cinemas! Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema is located in the Residences at The Pizitz apartment complex and gives cinephiles in Birmingham the opportunity to catch some off-the-beaten-path films, as well as the latest popular blockbusters. The theater has a slick, modern interior design and some nice touches for cinema fans, like an entire bathroom that serves as a tribute to The Shining… if you’re brave enough to set foot in it, of course.
In addition, the organization hosts the Sidewalk Film Festival, which expects to return for its 23rd consecutive year from August 23-29, 2021. This year’s festival will highlight Alabama-based documentary Socks On Fire, directed by up-and-comer Bo McGuire, as its first official selection.
A number of Google reviewers said the Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema is the best place in Birmingham to see a movie, and one reviewer even said “this place reignited my love for film.”
Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema
1821 2nd Ave N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Birmingham Movie Theaters: McWane Center IMAX Dome Theater
If you still feel a burning desire to have your socks knocked off after catching a film at the Sidewalk, you don’t have to travel very far: the McWane Science Center located just across the street hosts a five-story, 79’ diameter IMAX-titled dome screen where the Science Center showcases beautiful nature documentaries and action-packed blockbusters alike. This location is a perfect spot to bring children, spend the day learning about science at the Science Center, and cap it off by watching eyes light up in awe at one of the biggest screens Birmingham has to offer.
“Saw Godzilla vs. Kong and the IMAX dome was amazing, epic, I don’t know what other words to describe the feeling,” one Google reviewer recently said. “You almost forget you’re in a science center when watching a movie there. 20/10 stars for me!!!!”
Since the IMAX dome only has one screen, interested visitors might need to spend some time planning in advance what movie they want to see. It’s all worth it, though, for a fully immersive theater experience.
McWane Center IMAX Dome Theater
200 19th St N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Birmingham Movie Theaters: AMC Vestavia Hills 10
Get ready for the most luxurious moviegoing experience AMC Theaters has to offer! AMC Vestavia Hills 10 eliminates the need to go to a restaurant for dinner before movie night. Patrons can order a full meal from an expansive menu and have their dinner — and a drink from AMC’s MacGuffins bar, should they feel so inclined — brought directly to their reserved seat.
This AMC theater offers reclining seats with optional heating systems in most of its theaters to ensure moviegoers catch their favorite new movie in absolute comfort. A number of Google reviewers complimented the high-class seating options and ease of ordering food and a drink directly to their seats at this location.
“This is my go-to place for movies,” one reviewer wrote. “I highly recommend!”
AMC Vestavia Hills 10
1911 Kentucky Ave
Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
You can view showtimes at AMC Vestavia Hills 10 and purchase movie tickets here.
Birmingham Movie Theaters: Phoenix Theatres the Edge 12
Five-dollar movie tickets? Say no more! Phoenix Theatres boasts 10 screens and reserved seating for an affordable price at any showtime with this location. The Edge 12 offers a perfect opportunity to bring the whole family out for some fun — this theater actually has an indoor trampoline park and arcade area located within the same building. No better way to cool down from some trampolining than with a ticket to the hottest new movie release, right?
One Google reviewer even noted that the theater offers free showtimes on Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the summer. For a family-friendly option to catch a movie in theaters in Birmingham, it seems like the Edge 12 is hard to beat.
Phoenix Theaters the Edge 12
7001 Crestwood Boulevard
Birmingham, AL 35210
You can view showtimes at Phoenix Theaters the Edge 12 and purchase tickets here.
Birmingham Movie Theaters: Regal Trussville
Regal Cinemas offers a location with over 12 screens in northeast Birmingham in a bright, can’t-miss multiplex. The neon lights and signs marking this theater alone make it plenty enticing for any moviegoer in the area — that cursive “now playing” sign in front of the box office is perfect Instagram material for a night out!
One Google reviewer noted that this location makes some films available that other chains don’t often carry, making Regal Trussville a likely go-to spot for any cinephiles seeking out some lesser-known films, or perhaps a rerun of an old classic on the big screen:
“Best movie theatre I’ve been to in a long time! Everything was exceptionally clean, even the bathrooms – you could probably eat off the floor, depending on how weird you are and what you’re into. I wouldn’t, but maybe that’s just me. Staff was extremely helpful and pleasant. They also seem to show so many movies that aren’t shown in other theatres, presumably because they may not make as much money. I’m really not sure. This is definitely going to be my first choice for any movie I choose to see in the future. Why is our theatre in Tuscaloosa not like this one?”
Regal Trussville
5895 Trussville Crossings Pkwy
Birmingham, AL 35235
Birmingham Movie Theaters: AMC CLASSIC Lee Branch 15
This AMC CLASSIC theater offers exactly what it promises: a classic movie theater experience, along with a RealD 3D theater for all the 3D lovers in the Birmingham area. This location even has one BigD screen, a format which AMC pitches as a “premium large-screen format auditorium that offers dimensional sight, dynamic sound, and deluxe seating.”
Looking to host an event at the movies? Look no further than this location — AMC CLASSIC offers a party room for celebrations of any kind. It’s a perfect option to get a group out to see a new film this summer, or perhaps even rent a private theater to show an old classic.
“AMC CLASSIC is classic for a reason,” Google reviewer Luan Bradshaw writes. “It is always a reliable movie-going experience. Great screens, wonderful visuals and great audio makes this theater a place for an enjoyable big screen viewing experience. AMC Classic is doing 1 thing and doing it well. I always look forward to going to AMC bc I know what to expect, a great movie, affordable pricing, comfy atmosphere and helpful staff.”
AMC CLASSIC Lee Branch 15
801 Doug Baker Blvd.
Birmingham, AL 35242
You can view showtimes and purchase tickets for AMC CLASSIC Lee Branch 15 here.
Birmingham Movie Theaters: AMC Patton Creek 15
AMC rounds out our list with another location in Birmingham at the Patton Creek Shopping Center. It offers an IMAX Theater, a RealD 3D theater, and even sometimes might air a concert film or an old episode of Friends through AMC’s partnership with Fathom Events.
One Google reviewer called his recent experience seeing Mortal Kombat in the IMAX theater at AMC Patton Creek “phenomenal.”
“Large screen and awesome (albeit loud) surround sound with comfortable chairs made this experience worthwhile,” Ju Mc writes.
AMC Patton Creek 15
4450 Creekside Ave
Birmingham, AL 35244
You can view showtimes and purchase tickets for AMC Patton Creek 15 here.
We hope this rundown of some of our favorite Birmingham movie theaters inspires you to go out and see all of the latest new movies out now in theaters.
View all of our local movie theater guides here.
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