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Fifth Avenue Cinemas
Category: Arts & Entertainment Cinema Cinema [Edit]
2110 Burrard StVancouver, BC V6J 3H6
Neighbourhoods: Kitsilano, Fairview Slopes
(604) 734-8700
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
41 reviews for Fifth Avenue Cinemas
41 reviews in English
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Review from Addy W.
Surrey, BC
2/20/2012
I am a movie addict, and this is my favourite cinema. I wish I could watch every film here. I like it's membership program which makes the movie prices and concession prices reasonable. It's quite clean, there is a nice variety of concession stand items including "real" coffee, and the staff are friendly. The best part though - well, actually there are 2 best parts. First, the films they bring in are top-notch and I love that they feature award winning foreign films. Second, the audience here seems to appreciate movie etiquette better than the mainstream theatres. Cell phone lights, talking, etc. is at a minimum which makes it so much easier to just sit down and enjoy the movie.
I also think it's great that Vancouver still has a locally owned independent theatre chain. I live in Burnaby but bike or drive here for every movie I can. I am seldom (maybe never?) disappointed. -
Review from D. F.
Vancouver, BC
2/5/2012
Since this theatre is within walking distance for me I've been many times over the years. Most recently I saw the film "The Artist" (great movie by the way).
I still like this place a lot. While it might not have the latest and greatest as far as movie technology and sound, etc it more than does the job. Smallish theatre sizes are a plus also. Great for seeing a weeknight flick without having to hassle with downtown parking.
Also, this theatre is used to show many pre-release screenings that I often get passes to so that's a cool bonus.
Fifth Ave usually is a good choice for more obscure independent and/or foreign films as well so that keeps me going back as I like to mix those in along with the occasional hollywood blockbuster.
As with all movie houses the snacks are overpriced but what can you do about that one.
Someone mentioned how there used to be huge lineups and that was true for sure, but as he said it doesn't seem to be the case anymore. I hope this theatre sticks around and doesn't go the way of so many other boutique style places. -
Review from Sunshine M.
Coquitlam, BC
12/15/2011
My review is an ode to the theatre but also a bouquet to the people who go there. I live far from the theatre so it isn't convenient, per se to attend. However, I adore seeing movies here. The crowds who come here are so much more interesting and "invested" in the movies. You get the "OOh's" and the shared collective chuckles at director's inside jokes etc... It just makes viewing the films more fun.
I appreciate the ticket prices, the organic chocolate and the lesser showed films. I also like the fact that it is accessible to disabled people and that the handi-cap seats are at the back unlike modern theatres who always shunt people up to the break-neck seats at the very front.
I have been gladdened to see the movies I attended have been well supported and hope this continues as I enjoy this theatre very much. -
Review from Victoria J.
Vancouver, BC
1/13/2012
I love this movie theater. They show obscure foreign movies from time to time, which you won't get from Famous Players or Empire Theaters too often. I think that the ticket rates are fair; the best time to go see a movie is on Tuesdays in the afternoons because they have $8 matinees.
This place used to have ridiculously long line-ups outside at the ticket booth years ago, but it's sort of dwindled, which is a good and bad thing. It's good because that means it's quieter in the theater, which equals a lesser chance of obnoxious movie watchers sitting next to you. It's bad because that means the population of movie watchers aren't going out to watch movies, they're streaming them online. I'd be really sad to see this movie theater go because I love coming here. Hopefully they'll keep open for the next 5+ years. -
Review from Melissa E.
Vancouver, BC
11/18/2011
Saw Pedro Almodovar's new movie here last night...The Skin I live In.
GO SEE IT! Very different from his more recent releases, more theatrical like Women on the Verge...
OK digressing...5th Avenue Cinema...right.
They are small cinemas, but I like that. And the odds of being in there alone are quite high. Love that (sometimes i like to eat my popcorn without hands...apparently that isn't socially acceptable). There is something very intimate and "personal screening room" feeling about this place. I also love their movie selection...a mix of independent, art house and international. On occasion you get something a little more popular but the main stream Hollywood flicks are avoided. I am always satiated when I leave 5th Ave as opposed to disgusted at myself for having spent $15 on drivel (i'm talking to you Tron Legacy).
They also have a decent coffee bar which is appreciated, especially in this weather.
My only complaint is the service can be a bit "meh". For the most part I don't really care but when I asked for milk to put in my Americano she looked at me like I was asking her to go milk the cow...outside...in the rain...in Saskatchewan. Could do without that kind of attitude. -
Review from Linzi M.
7/22/2011
I would totally make-out with you at this cinema...
Sorry, too much information? Let me explain, I hate big movie theatres. You know the kind? Eugh, if you take me there for a date, you will get no action. No arm around the shoulder and no sneaking kisses. Because these places have no ambience and I deserve ambience.
But old school movie theatres, I love love love them. They even have ginger ale here. And it has cute intimate screening rooms and fun art in the lobby.
Pick a great movie, buy me some frozen yoghurt from the concession (and popcorn with real butter) and let's snuggle up in the back row. http://www.youtube.com... -
Review from Jenna B.
Coquitlam, BC
2/16/2012
Hello Fifth Avenue Cinemas. Want to watch a movie without all the crowds in a quiet cozy setting? Then this is the theatre for you. Just a short walk from Granville Island, and I can come here. They are a theatre that seems targeted to those interested in local events, arts, and culture. The theatre isn't the most up to date perhaps in terms of technology but everyone is friendly, and the theatre is super clean. It had a very welcoming atmosphere. It has wheelchair ramps for those wondering about the stairs, and the washrooms are very nice. I came here on a Tuesday so I'm not sure how crowded it might get on say a weekend but, we easily got seats and didn't feel overwhelmed by too many people.
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Review from Ray T.
Vancouver, BC
1/2/2012
Used to be a first-rate cinema, but with the advent of Tinseltown Cinemas downtown (the latest Dolby Digital surround sound, humungous screens, comfortable reclining stadium-style seating, free underground parking), why would anyone, except for neighbours, give Fifth Avenue Cinemas a second thought?
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Review from Doug G.
7/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Smaller theatres with great selection of movies!
I love seeing underdogs get a chance. A lot of underdog films get their chance at Fifth Avenue Cinemas. There are several theatres ranging in size, which means they can justify running movies that might not be a big draw.
Seats are comfortable. Reasonable leg room. Friendly staff and great concession, without the huge lineups of the mega-theatres. Definitely a cut above the rest in my books! -
Review from Robin M.
5/23/2011
Fifth Avenue Cinemas warms the twee cockles of me 'art, it does. Intimate with an art-house lean, this is one theatre that I adore.
The popcorn is huge, cheap, buttery, non-GMO, and oh-so delicious. Their seats may be a bit worn, but lovingly so. A cushion's a cushion, no matter how worn. The film selection tends toward indie/foreign, and usually stays clear of the big blockbusters... but every once in awhile an odd Indiana Jones flick is thrown in (for good measure, perhaps?). Finally, let's talk price -- buy a yearly membership, and the discounts come rollin' in. This is massive for film nerds like me.
Also, as if they knew I was coming, they installed a cappuccino bar. You know, just in case. -
Review from Mandy R.
9/7/2011
This is my favourite cinema in the city. I say that about almost any cinema I'm in (I just really love picture shows, kay?), but if I were to measure them all against one another in the following categories, the Fifth Ave would win: price, quality of movies, snacks, charm.
Price: All movie theatres are over-priced as hell. Next category!
Quality of Movies: I've been told I'm a movie snob (because apparently "having taste" = "being a snob"... zing, my friends! zing! I'm joking, calm down). I like fluffy Hollywood crap (almost) as much as the next guy. This cinema offers all of the quality blockbusters (Harry Potter, Bridesmaids, etc), but weeds out the high budget CGI action flicks (which are probably better experienced at one of the newer movie houses like the Scotiabank or Tinseltown anyway) in favour of independent and foreign films. By no means snobby or inaccessible, the Fifth Ave has something for everyone. If I'm in the mood to just sit in a dark room surrounded by strangers eating liquified butter for two hours and for some reason can't gather the energy to google what's playing around the city, I just end up here. There is ALWAYS something you and your friends, your parents, and your significant other can agree on.
Snacks: All movie theatres have over priced snacks. I can forgive this, because the Fifth Ave also has the best-tasting liquid butter in town, and they pour it over popcorn that doesn't taste like it was popped in a vat of chemicals. Maybe it was, but if so, they're fooling me, and I like it. They also have ginger ale (try finding ginger ale on tap anywhere else), and an espresso bar for those late-nite viewings.
Charm: If you don't think that the charm of the cinema counts then you are beyond reasoning with. While it's not the Hollywood (RIP, my pretty), the Fifth Ave is welcoming, bright, friendly, and some of the theatres inside even have little balconies. You got a balcony, I'm sold. Making out with your boyfriend in the middle of a mega-cineplex, tacky and gross. Making out with your boyfriend at the latest Woody Allen in the back row of the balcony, romantic and cute. (You can try to convince me of otherwise, but I'll still be there doing it.) -
Review from Vincci L.
10/4/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I prefer these smaller cinemas because it has that classic 'going to the movies' theatre atmosphere. The aroma of popcorn fills the air.
This cinema is part of the the Festival Cinema group:Fifth Avenue Cinemas, The Park Theatre, The Ridge Theatre. You can buy a yearly membership for $14 and save $3 off your movie anytime you watch a movie at these theatres.
You can buy your tickets online ahead of time, with no service charges. Avoid the long line ups for tickets! Here, they show your typical mainstream movies, as well as independent ones. They also keep some movies for a longer period of time that the other big theatres.
Comfy seats, and smaller theaters make this place more intimate. Clean, and well ventilated, I like this smaller space.
There's a parkade underground, and also metered and street parking around the area. Also lots of dining options before/ after the show! -
Review from Emily-Anne P.
Vancouver, BC
5/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm a huge fan of Fifth Ave Cinemas. It's becoming increasingly hard to find good cinemas in the city especially small venus which are decent for film fests and the like. Fifth Ave is just that.
I saw a new movie there for the first time in a long time, 3D and all and it was still more reasonably priced than any of the big theaters. Great seats, good popcorn. All in all I was happy. -
Review from Sarah A.
8/21/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I love this theatre. It's small and intimate and ultimately charming. This is the way going to the movies used to be - back before they all turned into one massive corporate chain. I love the selection of films that they show (there's always something interesting playing, usually a foreign or art house film that isn't playing at many other theatres in town). The seats are comfortable and they have a great selection of candy (Junior Mints and Maltesers anyone?). It's very easy to get here by transit or on foot (if you live in the Kits area). Tuesdays are cheap nights (yes, it is still possible to see a good movie for under $9 in the theatre!). The staff here are generally friendly and welcoming as well.
Listed in: Culture Vultures
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Review from Vanessa G.
2/16/2011
I have been really happy about this theatre ever since it opened. It shows not always the run of the mill movies but the great indie or foreign ones that are sometimes hard to find.
Everyone is always nice and there is TCBY! Oh and after trying to share a large popcorn and feeling bad about it being GMO, but alas it is not. It's a great place to impress a girl on a date. -
Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
8/2/2009
* Trivia question with prizes before the movie! *
"Woo hoo!!!!! We have a winner!!!!!!"
That is what they said yesterday as I answered a trivia question to the theatre staff right before the showing of Food Inc.
Simple question (and appropriate for the movie too) - "What is a GMO?"
Correct answer resulted in a win of a very generous gift bag filled with full sized boxes of organic Nature's Path products like cereal, granola, snack bars, etc.
I like the idea of a pre-movie trivia question - gives things a nice personal touch. And winning it more than paid back the price of admission!
Great film too. Everyone should see it.Listed in: Vancouver Movie Theatres
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Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
3/12/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Oh give me a seat, where the films are so sweet
And the popcorn is G-M-O free
Where no cell phones are heard
Many well-written words
And inde flicks are preferred.
Fifth, Fifth Avenue
Where friends and lovers can meet
Where no cell phones are heard
Many well-written words
And inde flicks are preferred.
How often at night when the screen is so bright
With lines from some unknown stars
Have I watched all amazed
And applauded with praise
Why yes, because I feel smarter for days!
[sung to Home on the Range] -
Review from Luisa D.
5/18/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Love this place! Good popcorn with REAL butter, comfy seats, small theatres, reasonable prices, decent movie choices, walking distance from home, friendly staff. Anything else? I think I covered it all.
Listed in: My Kitsilano
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Review from Kreag S.
Vancouver, BC
11/15/2008
It may not be your razzle dazzle type theater with a fancy marquee and fast food restaurant's but Fifth Ave theater still is one of the best theaters in Vancouver...and I will tell you why:
- they play a mix of arty farty indie movies as well as your typical Hollywood fluff(my personal fave)
-really great service, from the ladies in the ticket booth to the folks slinging popcorn....everyone is great...
-the admission $12, matinees $9, Tuesdays $7- while it may be a bite steep (which theater isn't now a days) they make up for in a couple ways. You can become a member by paying a yearly fee of $12..this gives you a couple $$ off admission. ALSO even if you are not a member you can take advantage of cheap Tuesdays..which most theaters have done away with it seems...
-the yummy fake yellow cheese on stale natchos...YUM! I have no idea why I love this crap but I do..
They lose a star for 2 reasons:
-really lame uncomfortable seating!
-that stupid jiggle thing that plays before every movie preview/commercial and before the movie starts...what the hell is that??? It's like 10 minutes long..and really..who cares?? They don't need to spend 10 mins showing me bad graphics that say Festival Cinemas with a bad jingle..it kinda looks like it was an Emily Carr grad project...
Anyway...love this place..give it a try... -
Review from Katie F.
8/30/2009
This is a great little theatre with a nice central location on Burrard... I remember first noticing it when I moved here since it was the only theatre in town playing Slumdog Millionaire before it became a massive Oscar winning phenomenon!
Fifth Avenue has been described in a lot of detail in the other posts.
My take:
- Nice mix of hard-to-find artsy films with a couple of mainstream Hollywood
- More intimate and classic feel
- Great place to come if you don't need the full-on SilverCity/surround sound experience, which really wouldn't enhance the types of movies they have here
- Good location with tons of pre- and post-dinner dining options within walking distance -
Review from Luisa S.
Vancouver, BC
9/1/2008
Though I still pine for movie prices of yesteryear, this is the one place in town where I am less reluctant to part with my cash. With only five screening rooms, the atmosphere is distinctly more intimate than its cinematic peers like Silvercity.
Part of Fifth Avenue's appeal is, obviously, the films it chooses to run, which are consistently of the arthouse variety. The chairs are cushy and comfortable and the staff is never one to mess up a request for multiple layers of butter in the popcorn.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Cameron M.
Toronto, ON
11/12/2008 1 photo
Fifth Avenue has gone through a few changes recently, for better and worse, but it's still one of the nicer theaters in town.
Since last summer Fifth ave. has definitely put more focus on mainstream cinema, playing Indiana Jones and Iron Man etc., while still keeping most of their other theaters for indie fare. I don't mind personally as it is both my local theater and, as people have mentioned, there are great prices. I also suggest anyone take advantage of the super cheap student price as it's the same as the cheap days, every day of the week!
Fifth falls a little short for a couple of niggling reasons. One, man does that de-synced logo/sound thing that comes up before every movie bother me. It's been not properly synced for at least five years, can we do something about that, haha? Also, I've had more experiences with technical issues at Fifth than any other theater in my life. I'm sure it's just related to staff and was a year or so ago but I've had two prints burn up during screenings and a few evenings cut short early due to technical malfunctions. But I guess that's what we get for playing fast and loose with cheap theaters, haha. -
Review from Megan G.
Vancouver, BC
11/2/2009
I love their selection of films, I love sitting in the balcony, their concession is even fairly decent, however they seem to over-air condition the place even when it's chilly out! WHY?!
A great bonus is the fact that the armrests lift for better snuggling purposes. Awesome! -
Review from Tim L.
8/18/2008
This is definitely one of my favourite theatres to catch movies at. It's got this quaint charm to it and it certainly doesn't draw the same crowd as the other mainstream first run theatres.
Most of the people that come here are a mature crowd and as a result you tend to be able to watch movies without annoying talking or other random nuisances.
It's impractical to reach here for the teeny-bopper crowd which is what I love the most. They can have the Silvercity's. -
Review from Megan S.
12/30/2008
It's a very clean theatre and the seats were comfortable. For some this won't compete with stadium seating, really loud surround sound, and too-big screens. But for me- it's a good size.
The staff here was really nice. The line looked long, but moved quickly. There's also a little ticket machine if you're paying with credit card; this was a much shorter line.
I didn't take advantage of the food and drinks. I should have looked, but in my past experiences theatre food is always outrageous. -
Review from Chloë E.
Vancouver, BC
11/28/2008
Agreed and agreed.
Fifth Avenue Cinemas offers the variety of multiple screens but with the quirky, interesting, and non-big-box-office content.
The only real downside is the frequency with which the self-serve ticket booth seems to be broken. It really takes away all my fun of racing the person next to me to get my ticket first. -
Review from Sheila W.
BC
1/7/2009
I've always had to wait a long time in line to either buy a ticket or use the self-serve ticket kiosk (one of which was broken), but it's always been worth it. Seeing a movie here has a similar friendly feel to watching a movie in your friend's giant, awesomely-equipped basement.
They do have great prices, as mentioned in previous reviews. The show a wide array of genres. Although some Hollywood films make it here, they do shy away from the big-explosive, car-chase, fight scene kind of movies (that I love to see on a big screen. It's terrible, I know. But I love it.) Fifth tries to offer a more refined style of movie and has a loyal crowd of patrons with fine tastes in cinema. -
Review from Patrick N.
2/23/2009
This is one of those kitschy, artsy movie house places that has a few of the popular movies, but I saw The Reader there with the Vancouver girl there. You walk in, and you are transported back to an era where the movie theaters were a bit bigger, stadium seating was just a dream, and the smell of buttery popcorn welcomed you in.
Parking is fairly easy, the staff is nice and friendly, and the prices were decent for a movie theater (I didn't see any loan documents, lets put it that way). The popcorn was popcorn (it's hard to screw that up). -
Review from Sabrina S.
Montréal, QC
6/5/2009
What a great neighborhood gem. I love going here because the vibe is relax, the movie selection is great. it remind wme when I was a little girl and my dad and mom would take me to the cinema :) yay!
It's not a huge cinemaplex/paramount cinema warehouse full of teeny bopers who keep talking throughout the movie and it makes a HUGE difference.
I love it. -
Review from Hipstamatic Foodie B.
Vancouver, BC
5/31/2011
This is a great little cinema! The popcorn is FRESH and amazing! They usually show the better rated movies as well. One of the theaters even has balcony seating. Gets busy on Fridays and Saturdays so go early. Very friendly staff.
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Review from jimi j.
7/27/2010
a very well organized theater with some of the best staff i have ever encountered. they are on the ball and super nice.
true the theaters aren't the new behemoth stadium sized megas that everyone has grown accustomed to but it is very comfortable and the air conditioning is kickin'!
someone wrote 'popcorn is popcorn...hard to screw that up...'
i totally disagree. many theaters DO screw up the popcorn with myriad reasons too many to list. not here though. amazing buttery (real) tasty popcorn.
good soda and selection of candy. clean restrooms as well. just saw the kids are all right last week. great time...
this is my preferred theater in vancouver. -
Review from Lisa F.
Surrey, BC
3/29/2009
Love this place, casual old fashion charm, friendly staff & often great film line up (not always!)
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Review from Nadine N.
Vancouver, BC
9/18/2008
I'll give you five reasons that I love Fifth Avenue Cinemas. 1) They play a lot of great indie and foreign films. 2) The staff and the crowds tend to be friendly. 3) If you buy a $12 yearly membership, you get discounted tickets ($9 instead of $12) at Fifth Avenue Cinemas, The Ridge, and The Park. 4) With that same membership you get discounts on concessions. You and your spouse/date/mom can actually go to the movies on a Saturday night and eat a big tub of popcorn, candy and a pop for less than $30. You can also get discounts at out establishments with your special Festival Cinemas member card. 5) They have a cappuccino bar.
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Review from Zoe A.
Vancouver, BC
11/29/2009
Great screen placement, you can easily see the bottom of the screen from when you are sitting down.
There are not too many seats so it's a very intimate theatre.
Popcorn wasn't great, but they sell TCBY as well. Nice selection of drinks.
Really nice theatre, but if you have the munchies for good popcorn - don't come here! -
Review from Mercedes G.
Vancouver, BC
10/2/2008
All day on Tuesdays, you can see a movie at Fifth Avenue Cinemas for nearly the price we all used to pay...assuming you remember when it cost less than a fortune to see a film. That being, 7 bucks! The regular prices are 12 dollars but parting with your hard-earned cash is easier to do here when the films they show qualify as entertainment; independent and often foreign films that activate those parts of your brain Nic Cage just can't seem to reach anymore....Did I mention they have a cafe inside as well? Mind you, this IS Vancouver! I adore smaller theatres and I will always flock to them over the run -of -the- mill Super-Cineplex.
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Review from Victoria R.
BC
12/3/2008
This little wonder that could carries the best indie, out of this country and sometimes blockbuster movies, in a more intimate setting than you'd get at a big, poprock theatre. For example, when Sex and the City came out it was perfect. There were line-ups, but less people. They also have the tastiest popcorn around town. It's very well packed and gets real butter on it. Real butter. The tickets are $12 dollars but you can buy a membership and it instantly becomes cheaper. I saw the movie "Waitress" here and it was really good. 5 rooms, cheap Tuesdays, good popcorn and a cappuccino bar? Can someone take me to the movies, please?
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Review from Lee N.
Vancouver, BC
9/16/2009
Art films in a full sized theatre that's great. I use to hate finding parking in the area but have learned the secret, nobody uses the underground lot in the building so now I do. Parking solved I go most often to the 5th Ave. than any other movie theatres in town. They show movies for weeks that close after days in the big commercial theatres. Bravo I say, good on you.
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Review from Kristel W.
11/8/2010
saw a movie here for the first time yesterday, and really was impressed by the place. the staff was welcoming, the decor, although cheesy, was charming, and i really appreciated their unique snack offerings. everything there is a bit smaller and less flashy than at the theatres i'd usually go to, but that's ok, it was a great night.
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Review from David F.
Vancouver, BC
8/29/2009
I wanna love this place and they do show good films here, but the screens are pretty small and that's a drag. When I go to a movie, I want a big screen, so normally, I would choose another screen over this one. If you don't mind a smaller screen, it's a nice place and in a nice location. Pizza next door is excellent too.
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Review from Doug S.
New Westminster, BC
1/1/2010
If you have the time and money and want to watch a good quality movie, I recommend Fifth Ave Cinema. Very comfortable seats, clean, neat lobby and artsy, non-mainstream film. Kind of a classic theatre feel to the place...like you really are going to a classy evening event. If you want to avoid that crammed movie house feeling, Fifth Ave is the place to go.
