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Empire City Centre 9 Cinemas
Category: Arts & Entertainment Cinema Cinema [Edit]
Empire Theatres10200 102 Ave
Edmonton, AB T5J 1W5
(780) 421-7018
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
21 reviews for Empire City Centre 9 Cinemas
21 reviews in English
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Review from Kristina V.
Edmonton, AB
4/16/2012
Aside from The Garneau Theatre, this has to be the best movie theatre in the city.
In case I feel like doing some window shopping before the movie, City Centre Mall is never as West Edmonton Mall (not even during the Christmas season). Parking is usually pretty easy to find, and there are a number of restaurants (like L'azia and Elephant & Castle) to stop in for dinner within the mall before heading off to the movie.
The theatre seats are super comfy, with the right measure of wear but no tear, so you never feel any uncomfortable springs poking you in the butt! Each seat provides ample leg room, something I can't seem to get enough of at other theatres, and best of all, they're coloured red instead of the standard blue you find at most other theatres. Most showings aren't sold out or packed, so chances are you'll be able to sit where you want.
There never seems to be a long lineup at the ticket booth. If I ever am impatient to wait in line with, say, five people ahead of me, there's always a couple automated ticket booths at which I can purchase tickets. The only time I ever had to wait in line at this theatre was at the theatre doors for the premier of two Harry Potter movies, which wasn't a bad experience at all considering that's the busiest I've ever seen the theatre. The concession has a decent selection of candies, chocolates, and (of course) buttered popcorn. There's also pretzels and cinnamon buns available across from concession if you feel like munching on something a bit different during the movie.
It's pretty easy getting to this theatre: the LRT goes straight to Churchill Station, located below/near City Centre Mall, and from there its three escalator rides to the top where the movie theatres are. You can also get here by bus - the 9 and 7 are the bus lines I'm most familiar with that will deliver you right to the mall doors. -
Review from Matthew L.
Edmonton, AB
3/5/2012
I have to give theatre management some credit. Sarah and I went to see "The Artist" and the projector malfunctioned. Without any prompting, the theatre provided us with two free movie passes each. And because we had spent $7 on popcorn which did not accompany a film, management provided us with two free popcorns (with prompting).
And when the projectors actually function here, it's a decent place to catch a flick. All auditoriums feature stadium seating and the sound is pretty good. I find that the lobby feels too large and echo-y when I usually go to see movies, but perhaps it feels a bit more lively on Weekend nights and other higher volume moviegoing times.. -
Review from Brittany K.
Edmonton, AB
7/25/2011 4 Check-ins Here
This theatre was my haunt for big-name flicks in my university days because of their sweet student deal (which sadly no longer exists -RIP).
Whenever I'm downtown and in the mood the catch a flick, this is the theatre to go. It's not as busy as North and South Common theatres, but it still gets most of the same movies. No, it's not quite as fancy, but the movies look fine and sound fine, so they get the job done.
Popcorn is a bit cheaper here than some of the other big theatres, which is a bonus.
During slow periods, they don't have staff on at the kiosk, so you have to purchase your movie ticket at the concession or at a self-scanner.Listed in: Movie Night
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Review from Michael F.
I have to agree with the other reviewer that they have the best soft pretzel ever.
The reason? They are made to order, so they are fresh!
I didn't realize that until after I ordered my pretzel.
When I told the cashier that my movie was about to start, he said he would personally deliver them inside the movie theater and look for me once it was done.
No joke. Now that's customer service!Listed in: Traveling to Canada
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Review from Mark L.
8/17/2011
This seems to be the only movie theatre downtown, so it gets an added point just for convenience. I work nearby so it's always easy to make it to a screening.
This theatre does a lot of sneak previews, but other than that it's mostly mainstream fare. The prices are pretty standard; there's also a good discount on Tuesday. No student prices. I wish this theatre offered Scene Points or any kind of points.
The seats are quite comfortable and there's a fair amount of legroom. The armrests don't go up, so this theatre isn't the best place for a gropefest (this is probably a positive thing for all the other people in the theatre).Listed in: 30 day challenge
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Review from Alouise D.
Edmonton, AB
5/30/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Empire City Centre has become my new favourite movie theatre in Edmonton for a few reasons. It's downtown, located inside City Centre Mall, which means it's really easy to get to on the LRT. The theatre is smaller than other ones, like Silver City at West Ed or South Common. But that also means that it's not as busy. Even when I saw a popular blockbuster, the theatre was 3/4 full, but it wasn't insane. The bathrooms are clean, unlike the grafitted, and disgusting bathrooms in South Common. They also offer a student discount $10.50 for a movie, popcorn and pop. Woo!
But the biggest reason why I love this theatre is for one reason - pretzels. This is the only theatre in Edmonton, that I'm aware of, which serves soft pretzels. I've become a fan of pretzels at the movies since a trip to Toronto last year. And I think this is the only soft pretzel place in town. My favourite is the salted pretzel, with nacho cheese sauce for dipping. They also serve frozen yogurt, pop, and cotton candy at this pretzel place. And there's the standard popcorn and candy at the other concession stand. -
Review from Amanda F.
7/27/2011
Just recently starting going to this theatre (after being caught up in all that South Common hype for the last few years - but that place just stresses me out now). Its really nice to be able to walk in a few mins before the show and still get a good seat without having to fight through huge crowds of awkward hormonal preteens. I think I stood in line for a max of 3 mins on cheap Tuesday which I would imagine is a busier night there.
Admission and food prices here are slightly more reasonable (cheap Tuesday - admission was less than $15 for two - and it wasn't overwhelmingly busy). Theatres look like they have been somewhat recently renovated and the seats are actually pretty comfy! One little issue for me - I am a pretty small person (5 feet tall - 105 pounds on a fat day). I found the back rest on the seats to be pretty high thus slightly intruding my line of sight. Seems that the farther back you go the more of an incline the floor is on though, which would likely help. Yeah - I know they have booster seats - and yeah that's really creative - I've never heard that one before *eyes rolling*!
Customer service here totally exceeded my expectations. Me and a friend bought drinks that came with a Smurf dude on top but we didn't display them on our cups before we walked into the theatre. One of the staff noticed us walking in sans Smurfs on our cups and personally delivered them to us in the theatre - which I thought was amazing!
All in all I think this may be my new go to place for movies! Love the laid back feel and the excellent customer service! -
Review from Aditya R.
12/16/2010 4 Check-ins Here
I really like that this multiplex is VERY conveniently located. Firstly, it's in downtown, which is always convenient, any time of the day. Secondly it's right on the LRT, which again, is great!
Now, as multiplexes go, this one isn't particularly top notch stuff, but movie-watching-experience-wise it's certainly above average. Good, spacious, comfy seats which recline well, the garden variety choice of concessions, good sized screens, a wide variety of movies to choose from, electronic tickets for credit card holders who don't wish to stand in a queue for fifteen minutes etc etc.
Also, back to location, it's nice that it's inside a mall, for weekend shoppers and there are a couple of restaurant bars right when you come out the theatre, which is convenient too. Although, it is worth mentioning that right outside the mall a world of goodies exist. -
Review from Erik S.
Edmonton, AB
1/3/2011
I was generally pleased with this theater. The food choices were minimal at best, but let's face it, cinema food is for the wealthy.
The seating was ample and cushy with a lot of leg room for people to walk comfortably between rows. The washrooms were clean and devoid of line-ups. All in all, everything was good.
It received 3 stars from me due to the parking. But hey, it's downtown, so what else can I expect. -
Review from Adam D.
7/25/2011
This is the best location for a movie theater..I usually attend movies during the night and find parking to not be a problem. The theatre is never been busy I;ve been there over 10 times. Now it dosent compare to the new "SUPER" theatres but I dont really need all that fancy shit anyway. Its nice to be able to go to a movie 30mins before and be able to get food and still make the show. I notice the crowd is usually older too so I dont have to be annoyed by the emos lurking around. I highly reccomend this theatre. It is my first chioce of a theatre in town. Its good for dates too, its has a romantic feel to it? not sure wht. Overall its a sweet place.
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Review from Doug G.
11/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
Great Theatres, limited concession options
I'm a big fan of the seating in these theatres. Comfy, reclining seating. Spacious. Very nice. Also, the crowds are not huge, so you can usually get decent seats without having to arrive stupidly early.
Only gripe, I went hungry, was planning to grab a quick bite at the movie, and discovered that the only real food is outside the theatres in the mall. Pretty limited options inside, compared with some of the larger theatres. -
Review from mary m.
Edmonton, AB
11/20/2011
My favourite cinema in Edmonton. I often go on Sundays when it is cheap and not packed. Staff are always curteous. They have frozen yogurt and pretzels too :o
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Review from Lauren N.
10/2/2008 1 photo
This is the theatre I visit the most, mainly because of its location. It's located inside the City Centre Mall, right in downtown, so if I'm meeting my friends from across town, neither of us have to go very far.
Empire City Centre has 9 theatres (hence the name), all of which are pretty roomy and fairly comfortable. I think theatre #1 is the largest, which is why they are currently hosting the Edmonton International Film Festival there, to accommodate the larger crowd. The seats are cushioned and a little swingy, but thankfully don't squeak.
Prices are a bit more than I'd like, topping at $11.50 for regular admission, so I only come here if I can't wait to see a certain movie. Admission is $7.99 for kids and seniors, and for a matinee. They also have the quick-pay debit machines if you have your debit card and don't want to wait in line.
The bathrooms are pretty large, and I find the line-ups, if any, are never very long. They have two snack counters, one on each side, so that also helps with the line-ups. -
Review from Jeanette B.
Edmonton, AB
10/15/2008
Last time I was at Empire City Centre 9, it wasn't the best experience. I came here to see the movie, 'Wanted.' It was an extremely hot day outside. All my friend and I could look forward to was getting into a nice cool, air-conditioned theatre. When we were buying our tickets, we were informed that there was no air-conditioning in just that one theatre. What kind of bad luck is that? Well, there were no other movies we wanted to see, so we stuck with that movie, anyways.
My friend and I then had a hankering for some fake-cheese nachos (so bad for us, but tastes so good). They were out, and that was disappointing, because we were starving. My friend started making some jokes to the concessions guy, but he didn't find the humour in it, as he just stood there with a completely emotionless face. We ended up getting some nice cold fountain pops instead.
The movie was good, and the theatre wasn't unbearably hot, so that was okay. I went to go use the women's washrooms afterwards, and that was a total disaster area. There was toilet paper and paper towels all over the floors; many of the toilets were backed up; and almost none of the stalls had toilet paper! I can deal with a messy washroom, but no toilet paper is totally unacceptable.
Aside from that bad experience, I usually like this theatre, because it's got a certain older flair that I like, and it's so wide open and spacious. The arcade here is pretty fun too, when you've arrived too early or are bored. -
Review from Paula K.
1/2/2011
Comfortable seats, great location, excellent choices of movies, wonderful sound quality - if you want to see a movie downtown, then Empire City Centre 9 Cinemas is the logical choice. Typical concessions choices include popcorn, candy, frozen yogurt, pretzels, and hot dogs, with numerous combos from which to choose. There is a small arcade to kill time if you get there early. Washrooms are large and clean. Staff is very friendly.
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Review from Tim R.
Edmonton, AB
1/23/2010 1 photo
I enjoy coming to this cinema, especially for new blockbuster movies, as this location is rarely busy. Due to the nature of downtown and how it is practically evacuated after 6pm on a Friday, there are less line ups and can almost feel deserted at times. The theatre rooms are fairly roomy and somewhat comfortable, but those used to the huge theatres with big seats (Scotiabank theatre, South Edmonton Common, North Edmonton Common) will be disappointed.
The prices are comparable to what is found at Cineplex Odeon theatres, so really why would you pay the same price for diminutive accommodations? If you want to enjoy a new release will less people in the theatre, this may be the location for you. -
Review from Jack G.
Edmonton, AB
11/19/2009
I like where this theater is located. The top floor of the city center mall and you can look over the railings and see everything. It's set up as just another floor of the mall.
Anyways, it is not that great of a movie experience. It has this dollar theater vibe to it but the few times I have been there it has been pretty empty, so you can sit where you like and feel relaxed. Another problem is parking. If you come here and are not within walking distance you are going to have to pay for parking, so that's a bummer.
The best part is during the day ,when I have gone to this theater, they sometimes have no one working the ticket desk nor do they have anyone checking your ticket stubs. I have no idea why this is, maybe they think they don't need staff, but I have looked around for someone working and couldn't find anyone. Not even at the concession. Basically what I am saying is if you were to go at the right time during the day you could catch a free movie.
I won't say whether I took advantage of this or not, you would have to contact my lawyer. -
Review from Francesca K.
Edmonton, AB
3/2/2010
This movie theatre is way out of my way, so if my parents hadn't suggested we all meet here for a date night out, I would have never come here again.
The place has been totally re-done since the last time I was here and I was sure impressed. Prices are the same, and staff are still a little ho-hum but the new seats are to die for! They recline a lot more than any other theatre seats I have been in. (I recently raved about the seats at South Edmonton Common.. maybe now I need to change my review?)
Great seats, good movie, good company. So do I have anything to complain about?
Yup.
When we were buying our tickets, the guy who was at the ticket counter mumbled this huge spiel about donating money to the kids help phone, but I could barely hear him. He had said the entire spiel in one breath and when I told him I couldn't hear him, he seemed really annoyed.
I didn't know there was a student deal, so I didn't even bother asking. When my sister came up to the counter, he asked if she was a student and she said she was. I told him I was a student too, but he didn't seem interested in refunding my ticket for the student price ($10.50 includes admission, a small popcorn and a pop). I didn't bother making a fuss and just handed the discount off to my sister (she didn't have her student ID).
I liked the price -- the one my sister got -- I guess next time I will have to remember to tell him, instead of waiting for him to offer my discount to someone else. -
Review from Kerri W.
Banff, AB
11/17/2008
This cinema has location going for it but that's about it. Compared to the newer theatres, this one has a long way to go. The seats are old, not the nice high-backed ones. I saw The Secret Life of Bees in theatre 9 which is right on the end near the arcade. First, it's tricky to find the door so they have a sign pointing to it. Second, you could hear the arcade during the quieter points of the movie.
The price is certainly too high for what you get. When they first opened as Empire they were charging $9 now it's $11.50 which is almost what you'd pay anywhere else only with lack of soundproofing, crappy chairs and a bathroom that my friend said is worse than some she'd seen in Mexico.
I don't even look at the concession prices anymore because they're always enough to make me nauseous. I just order less. Of course, I've recently discovered that they started putting soy in Nibs so I can't have them anymore.
I just don't get movie theatres anymore. Fewer people go now than ever before yet they do far less to attract people to go. No more cheap Tuesdays, my AMA passes don't work at this theatre. It isn't an affordable decent outing anymore. Booo! -
Review from Nicole B.
Edmonton, AB
3/2/2010
I don't come here often but when I do, I'm glad.
I like the theatres here because it's never been super busy so I can have space and enjoy my movie in peace.
I also like the student discounts they have. I think they stared doing the discounts because Centre High is so close by and I think it's a great thing! Movies are so expensive these days! Any discount helps.
I like the little arcade they have off to the side of the theatre so you can kill a bit of time playing games before your movie - which I always do!
Again, no lines at the concession so I'm usually pretty darn happy at this point!
My only issue here is that the ticket people can be very unfriendly and even mean at times. They clearly hate their job and are not afraid to wear it on their sleeves.
Other than that though, I always have a great time when I come to this theatre. -
Review from Andre D.
Edmonton, AB
9/4/2010
A movie theatre is a movie theatre is a movie theatre. But being that it is downtown, I really enjoyed that part. I also enjoyed the fact that the seats reclined and the armrests could be moved up to make the experience that much better for movie goers. I only thought AMC theatres did this but now I see Empire does this as well. It was a very comfortable and enjoyable experience to watch a movie. I can't comment so much about the concession stands so I can't give it 5 stars.
Thank God I have a movie theatre within a relative short distance so I don't have to travel forever and a day in this sprawling city to get to one.
