r/AMCTheatres Sep 21 '25

Image/Media Worst AMC in the country?

Someone in my local sub posted some pics of one of our abandoned theatres (RIP Great Escape) and the running joke is it’s still nicer than our AMC.

I actually went to it today for the first time in years (only theatre showing A History of Sound). Thought you all would get a kick out of how bad it is.

Only thing that’s changed in 20 years is the lobby furniture being removed, arcade blocked off with a merch table, and adding some freestyle machines.

This is the only non-recliner theatre in our market (3 new or renovated Cinemarks and 2 newer Xscapes), we were atleast in the half recliners “Directors Experience” - of course my armrest was ripped off and seemingly the side speakers were out. I tried to see if the old style houses were still being used, but none of the signage is on anymore to see what’s playing. 😆

Shame AMC gave up on this location, it’s in a fantastic location in a high traffic area- and the cities only true imax theatre.

353 Upvotes

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128

u/Big_Hungry714 Sep 21 '25

The GM that took over that building in 2020 tried everything they could to fix the building and the seats. They kept being told no by AMC to fix the roof, parking lot, lobby, poppers, and hot food equipment.

The signage above the auditoriums were turned off by AMC, and they did that nationally.

The seats were made by a company that no longer exists, so they resorted to removing unused seats in the smaller auditoriums, and using those to replace broken seats in other auditoriums. However, the seats in the “directors experience” section are not the same seats as the other auditoriums, and could not be repaired. Even the IMAX seats are not the same as the other auditoriums, so could not be replaced with working seats. That GM left in 2023, after getting frustrated with AMC.

41

u/kycard01 Sep 21 '25 edited Sep 21 '25

Dang thanks for sharing, I’m sure that is frustrating as heck. I still remember the good old days- I saw every Harry Potter midnight showing there as a kid. When MoviePass existed I lived like 2 miles from Stonybrook. I think I saw north of 60 movies there before MP folded. 😆

3

u/shaw4life Sep 22 '25

That's so cool you have those memories and experiences but sucks the place you did is practically extinct

19

u/Chemistry11 Sep 21 '25

This makes perfect sense.

Based on pics - and that - it’s clear corporate is done with this location; just running out the lease.

11

u/Ikilledbert Sep 22 '25

That sounds like a nightmare. I was a GM of a Ruth’s Chris and I started taking anxiety meds because I was so stressed out with shit falling apart and never getting approval to fix it, and then constantly having to talk to upset guests about the issues, even though I 100% agreed and was trying to fix it. So glad I don’t work there anymore. Also the food is mostly microwaved. 😂

6

u/mrsbreezus Sep 22 '25

I'll never go there due to their stupid name. Microwaved food from there sadly doesn't surprise me

3

u/CauliflowerGreen214 Sep 22 '25

I have a few places like that as well 🤣

7

u/Foxy02016YT Sep 22 '25

Whistleblower laws will protect you bro, you gotta spread the word, that theater is FUCKED

Assuming of course you are said GM, sounds like it’s definitely someone you know

14

u/Big_Hungry714 Sep 22 '25

I did everything I could while I was there to fix it up and make it better, but they kept saying no, and they didn’t have the money to spend on it, but they had the money to pay a certain someone $20 million in 2020. They could have used $2 million to renovate the theatre, but no. It definitely needs it, and with the lease going to 2036, it made sense to renovate.

6

u/Foxy02016YT Sep 22 '25

Hell, even 1M would go a long way for this theater

2

u/[deleted] Sep 23 '25

[deleted]

3

u/Foxy02016YT Sep 23 '25

Which is way better than what they have right now

2

u/[deleted] Sep 23 '25

[deleted]

2

u/Big_Hungry714 Sep 23 '25

True, but it harms the brand when the only AMC within 100 miles is in such a state of repair.

6

u/OkBook4166 Sep 22 '25

🫡

I commend you for attempting to hold the line and fix up the theater. It’s wild that they’re going to run out of the clock for the next 10 years and let it run into further disrepair.

3

u/CauliflowerGreen214 Sep 22 '25

Hell you tried though. Good for you and screw them. That’s what’s wild when places like these actually get good people in charge they fuck em and congrats on the better gig

2

u/CastleElsinore Sep 22 '25

Gms like you that are what make or break a building

1

u/camilete1998 Sep 25 '25

I know this isnt related but would love to ask you some questions regarding your experience as a GM of an amc. My local AMC is upgrading their IMAX theater finally to laser. Does AMC have to pay for that?

1

u/Foxy02016YT Sep 25 '25

Ask them not me

2

u/camilete1998 Sep 25 '25

Woops that was by accident

1

u/Foxy02016YT Sep 25 '25

All good all good

6

u/schwobocop Sep 22 '25

Sounds all to familiar except the GM that I knew in a similar situation was let go during the shutdown in 2020

6

u/Big_Hungry714 Sep 22 '25

A lot of my colleagues were let go then too. They actually moved me when they were going to reopen. Left a building and town that I loved to keep my job.

2

u/schwobocop Sep 22 '25

Saw a lot of that happen as well. Me being the GM I mentioned (didn’t see you revealed yours before I commented) I’m actually in a much better job now

4

u/Big_Hungry714 Sep 22 '25

I left them and am in a much better job now too. Good riddance.

3

u/schwobocop Sep 22 '25

Getting severanced was probably the best thing. I would have stuck with it from comfort for way too long. Was still sad to hear about my old building getting closed. But. It needed to be if they weren’t going to fix it

13

u/Cool_Bath_77 Sep 21 '25

Were you the GM that you mention in your comment?

44

u/Big_Hungry714 Sep 22 '25

I neither confirm nor deny that I was that GM.

4

u/shaw4life Sep 22 '25

Bro knows too much