Where to See Movies in Ithaca, NY

Contents

You can find quite a nice range of movies in Ithaca, NY.

The three Ithaca movie theaters — Cinemapolis, Cornell Cinema, and Regal Cinemas — have got you covered for everything from obscure indie limited releases to big summer blockbusters, from a small and cozy experience (where popcorn is served with real butter) to giant screens and tilting seats.

Read on to learn more about your Ithaca movie theater options.

(By the way, Ithaca played an interesting role in American film history, which you can learn more about through the Wharton Studio Museum website.)

bags of movie theater popcorn — (Photo: Corina Rainer, via Unsplash)

Ithaca movie theaters

Cinemapolis

120 E. Green Street (Ithaca Commons)
Ithaca, NY 14850
phone: (607) 277-6115
website: cinemapolis.org

Screens: 5

Cinemapolis is an independent theater in the heart of downtown. Here you can watch over 150 different films each year, with a specialization in independent, foreign, and locally-produced films.

Founded in 1986 and run by the 7th Art Corporation of Ithaca, a non-profit media arts organization, since 2000, Cinemapolis is a community cinema with a mission: “Encouraging central New York residents to explore the power of film to entertain, educate, and to celebrate the human experience.” To that end, it hosts film education programs, public film forums, after-film discussions, and other community events.

Cinemapolis is also home to several film festivals, such as the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival, Ithaca Fantastik, and the Cine con ¡CULTURA! Latin@ American Film Festival.

One of my favorite offerings by Cinemapolis is the Cry Baby matinees: Every Thursday, all five screens show their regular (non-kid) movies, but with dimmed lights and slightly lower volume. Parents (and anyone else) are welcome to attend with babies, whether they’re brought in arms, strollers, or carriers. (Adults pay matinee rate, infants free.)

Cornell Cinema

104 Willard Straight Hall (Cornell campus)
Ithaca, NY 14853
phone: (607) 255-3522
website: cinema.cornell.edu

Screens: 1

Cornell Cinema started as a university film society in 1970 and has evolved into what has been cited as one of the best campus film exhibition programs in the country.

Thanks to donor support, movies run 5 to 7 nights a week. While the screenings take place in the historic Willard Straight Theatre, the technology involved is state-of-the-art: the largest screen in Ithaca with 2,000 pixels per inch and 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound.

True to its home at a major Ivy League university, Cornell Cinema’s mission is primarily educational: “to expose audiences to a diverse range of cinematic experiences (classics, documentaries, experimental work, silent films, international cinema, shorts programs, alternative animation) that would otherwise not be offered in the area, and to supplement these with educational services that enhance viewers’ appreciation of the art form (media maker presentations, faculty introductions, and panel discussions with experts on subject matter).”

Among the 150 films and videos shown each year, however, are also a bunch of second-run popular Hollywood films.

Regal Cinemas Ithaca

40 Catherwood Rd (The Shops at Ithaca Mall)
Ithaca, NY 14850

Screens: 14

For the newest mainstream releases, head to Regal Cinemas in the mall. It’s your classic big screen experience with seats that tilt back and huge buckets of butter-flavored popcorn. For some reason, you have to buy your tickets at the concessions stand these days, so plan in enough time for the line.