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AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9
Category: Arts & Entertainment Cinema Cinema [Edit]
2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd.New York, NY 10027
Neighborhood: Harlem
(212) 665-6923
Now Playing:
Battleship, Chernobyl Diaries, Dark Shadows, The Dictator, Marvel's The Avengers, Marvel's The Avengers 3D, Men in Black 3, Men in Black 3 in 3D, Think Like a Man
Showtimes on RottenTomatoes.com
Announcement
Get a limited edition popcorn tub when you purchase a combo #1 or #2. The tub comes with a complementary refill http://m.amcurl.com/02GL
- Nearest Transit:
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125 St (A, B, C, D)
125 St (2, 3)
116 St (A, B, C)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
34 reviews for AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9
34 reviews in English
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Review from Shana B.
1/29/2012
Went to the AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9 movie theater to see the new Red Tails movie. Great location... in walking distance to several clothing shops. Quick service. Friendly customer service representatives. The movie theater was clean. Overall we had a very good experience. Would definitely return to see another movie soon.
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Review from Charles S.
Manhattan, NY
2/24/2012
As a Laker's fan, it saddens me that Magic Johnson's name is associated with this theatre.
This Theatre basically only gets a two because it literally right across the street from my apartment. Since I keep going back because of the connivence, I guess it gets a 2.
Here's why this theatre is awful.
1) It's often really loud. I mean a lot of people keep their cell phones on. One dude next to me had a blue tooth headset on during the movie that was flashing a blue light. I politely asked him to turn it off during the movie and he rudely refused. This is not an isolated experience. Many patrons are obnoxiously loud in the movies on a regular basis.
2) Good movies seem to leave quite quickly
3) The sign in front is always broken and showing random digits and letters instead of the actual screenings. Why isn't this fixed?
4) Everything is super expensive. I guess that's NYC, but you feel even more ripped off when they don't even keep the theatre nice (floors are sticky, broken sign out front, etc)
I will come out and say that part of my dislike for this AMC Magic Johnson 9 stems from my general dislike of the AMC franchise. It just kinda sucks paying way too much for movies (especially 3D movies that are low quality) and doing it in a tacky, unclean theatre.
Pros (limited)
Bathroom has always been clean in my experience. Typically a short line to buy tickets. Very close to the 125th express stop on the ABCD line. Service has typically been friendly (if a little slow at times) -
Review from Quasona C.
Manhattan, NY
1/30/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Local movie theater so I love the fact that i can walk from home and back again within 20 minutes.
I'm not too thrilled about paying $13 for a semi-good movie so I try to catch the earliest show for $6 instead.
The movie theater is decent and can get very crowded if you go see a late and popular movie. Just as everything is in NYC, the concession stand is expensive. I paid $18 for curly fries, a small pizza and a large slushy.
The seats are comfortable and everything was clean for the most part.Listed in: Uptown
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Review from Tiffany S.
Brooklyn, NY
12/21/2011 5 Check-ins Here
This place is so HOOD.
I love watching the families with like 8 kids who stroll through and are able to afford tickets for all them kids and buy soda, popcorn, and candy. Really? You ballin' like that?
Anyway, the tickets are priced just like AMC but they have more options for food than in most places I have been to. In addition to the classic popcorn, nachos, hot dogs, and a soda, you can get you some curly fries, chicken wings, ice cream, all kinds of sh*t. I swear, these theaters make more money off their concession stands than their movie tickets.
The only downside to this theater is that you can't sneak around to see other movies. #LAME -
Review from Gherell O.
Bronx, NY
5/19/2012 4 Check-ins Here
You're liable to miss your movie waiting in line at the concession stand. There's always loud, ghetto people in the theater spoiling the film. But everything is clean and the location is convenient if u live uptown.
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Review from Ashley R.
North Brunswick Township, NJ
5/10/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Ugh nothing special. Right off 125th pretty popular theater.
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Review from Brad P.
Manhattan, NY
10/14/2011
The Magic Johnson Theater is as good as any major chain theater in Manhattan. In fact, there's a lot to be said for the amount of space available for seating as compared to places downtown.
if you can get yourself out of bed at a reasonable time, you should catch a $6 pre-noon movie--that's a great bargain. -
Review from Tasha S.
Bronx, NY
11/10/2011
Not the best theatre in NYC but it's not the worst. The theatre is convenient to get to. The D train stops right down the block.
Recently came here with my son to watch Puss in Boots in 3D. We came during matenae and lets just say, his ticket was $13! Yeah, I had to asked someone about that but apparently thats how much a mat 3D kids ticket costs now a days. I was dumb founded. The screen was an ok size. Sound was alright though.
The theatre isn't the cleanest. Sticky floors and some torn seats. I would check before sitting to prevent getting gum on your butt. They do have a pretty good selection of games to play while you wait for your movie to start. They have pizza, chicken fingers, and hot dogs to serve. The movie floor is dec'd with famous black icons like Diana Ross, MLK, and Ali. Most of the photographs are of their younger days and are interesting to look at. Some I would like to have for myself :-)
Usually for big blockbusters, they will not allow you to go grab a seat until the film starts which sucks. There are not many places to sit. The seats on the floor are dirty and ripped. I would sit on the window ledge instead. -
Review from miss a.
Harlem, New York, NY
9/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'll admit that my review is biased as this is the ONLY movie theater I ever go to. Yes, I do realize there are other places to see movies in this city but I dont give a care. Magic Johnson's is mine all mine!! As an added bonus, its next door to Hue-Man bookstore so my kids and I can stop by there either before or after watching "our" movie in "our" movie theater (hopefully the 2012 calendar by Frank Morrison is available soon) . COOL!
I love the crowd at MJT and that they provide an additional soundtrack to whatever movie is showing. Not in an unruly, negatively stereotypical way, mind you, but certainly entertaining. Trust me, Kevin Hart's Laugh at My Pain was not that dam funny but the lady behind me had a laugh that was contagious so everytime she laughed I laughed too (and she laughed A LOT!!). Think of it as watching a show with family members that you know and love. FUNNY!
The bathrooms are more clean than not, have ample stalls and provide paper hand towels in addition to that air-dry machine. The candy included in the Kids Pack is 100% peanut free and you can substitute the soda for a slushie if you want. USEFUL!Listed in: Kid-Friendly
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Review from Kate F.
Updated - 9/7/2011
I still go here every time I can.
The only thing that's changed in the nearly 5 years I've been loving on the Magic Johnson is that they've converted their concession stand to the new Loews AMC set up and in so doing, made the worst decision ever, to get rid of Cherry Coke. Damn the man.
But still, I go. The location, slightly cheaper tickets, and usually empty theaters are reason enough for me to return somewhere nearing 60 times since moving to Harlem. Also, now that the WXYZ bar is across Frederick Douglass in the new W Aloft, having a pre-movie drink is delightful.Listed in: My Harlem., Nights., I'm BORED!, Lean on me... (go on - sing…, Rotten Tomatoes
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/13/2007
I love the Magic because unlike so many theaters in NYC, unless you go at the most popular times… Read more »
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Review from Jason M.
8/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Clean, conveniently located near major train intersections, and literally NEVER full. That's right, if there's any movie you want to see but worry about getting good seats, see it here. There's always seating here. Frankly, I don't know how this theater stays in business, but it works for me just fine because I never have to rush to get here early to get a decent seat.
One thing though: the service is pretty lacking, even for a movie theater. You get the typical poor service lackadaisical Harlem service at this theater. but hey, you're there for the flicks and not the service right? One more thing: this is one of the few theaters in Manhattan that has $6 matinees, even on weekends! -
Review from Crystal G.
Manhattan, NY
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love coming during the weekdays when its so empty! Its true the theaters are a bit smelly sometimes but they are many seats. Many food choices . The chicken tenders are tasty. AMC stubs gives you free upgrades. I don't recommend coming on weekends because of the people yelling back at the screen while sometimes its funny most of the time its just annoying
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Review from Dylan A.
New York, NY
6/18/2011
I went here on Thursday night (6/17) to see the opening of Green Lantern 3D at 12:01 am. One of the first things I noticed was this stale, awful smell after sitting down. It reminded me of when you first turn on the A/C after not using it during the winter.
The main clue that something was off should've been that there was NO sound when the coming attractions were showing. After 25+ minutes of this, the lights came up & they came in to say due to technical difficulties they couldn't show the movie.
Someone asked if we could see the regular version and we were told it wasn't showing either. So the night ended waiting on line for a refund because they only had ONE ticket clerk working. At least we got a comp pass, but I'll be sure to use it at another AMC theater. I guess the main highlight was the woman who needed to get her refunds on two different credit cards and in cash; now that was entertainment, standing with a bunch of pissed off people while she hogged up that one ticket clerk's time.
Something told me to go downtown. -
Review from Kara C.
6/16/2011
Highlight: Location; Hallways Black & White Pictures
Just like on subway trains it is interesting to see how the demographic of theaters change above 96th street.
For the occasional movie I usually end up here. The ticket machines rarely work and no-one gives a flying flute about Ebert and Roper's movie opinions here.
I love the hallway right where you get off the escalators with the black and white pictures of older as well as contemporary minority artists. I also like I always get to sit in a seat of my choosing. -
Review from Leslie O.
Manhattan, NY
8/23/2011
This movie theater is decent. A little smelly sometimes but the location is convenient. You can get matinee tickets for $6. They have 3 ticketing machines so I don't understand why there's usually a line.
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Review from Frank W.
New York, NY
6/10/2007
I'm sure everyone in Harlem knows about this theater, but if you live on the UWS especially the U-UWS you should really consider checking it out.
Early matinees (i.e. first show of the day, sometimes before 11 am) are 6 bucks like all the AMCs, but this place has additional matinees at a somewhat reduced price as well! I went to a 1:35 showing of Knocked Up and it was only $8! And I noticed the full price is only 10 bucks, so less than the usual AMC 11.
Some sound issues during the previews, but they were fine during the show. Stadium seats were nice and clean (though maybe a bit narrower than avg), and the ticket-takers were the most intelligible I've encountered in months! And if you grew up in the 80's like me you may find just going to a theater owned by Magic is a little exciting. A mural of Magic is high on one of the walls bringing thoughts of Three-peats that might have been. Pat Riley come and get your nickel!Listed in: Things to do instead of…
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Review from Taisha C.
Bronx, NY
4/16/2009
Ok, a little ghetto.
But ohmigod, the curly fries & chicken!! Delish!! Best theater food if you ask me.
If you can make it past the ghetto aspect, nice theater.
Eat the food, all the rest will fade away -
Review from Dee B.
New York, NY
6/21/2007
Believe it or not one of the first choices for a theater if they are playing something I want to see. You don't even have to eat first because they serve full course meals in that joint -- not just stale nachos and dried out hot dogs. They sell "real" food up in there! Granted it is expensive but trust me, you won't go hungry.
Not only is the location convenient but they actually keep it up nicely. I can't think of a negative experience that I've had there. As noted, Harlemites believe that entertainment should be an interactive activity (who needs Wii) so it can get noisy depending on the movie you are watching. And folks...please turn your daggone cell phone off BEFORE you get in the theater. Also, it is never appropriate to answer the phone while you are watching a movie...even when you've set the ringer to vibrate. I'm just saying! -
Review from Marc A.
NY
7/18/2007
The great thing about this theater is that it's never crowded - you can show up 5 minutes before the movie opens, get your ticket, and enter the theater with no fuss or mess. The theater is relatively clean and the concession stand is as slow as every other major chain but, well, that's what we get for being in love with economies of scale.
The theater embraces the wonderful invention that is stadium seating, allowing the little people (ie. me) an opportunity to view movies not in large-hair-blocking-vision. Because of this, I can actually enjoy movies again. It's a pleasant experience.
The only negative thing about the theater is the bathrooms. They're large but only semi-maintained. They could be cleaned more often but, whatchagonnado.
Oh. And, just so you know, Magic Johnson doesn't actually work there. I know. I was disappointed when I found out that too. -
Review from Chris E.
New York, NY
8/28/2006
The ticket collector was recently moved behind the bathrooms making theater hopping virtually impossible unless you bring a bottle to piss in.
It's still the cheapest place in the city to catch a movie (7.50 matinee). It's also home to one of the greatest crowds to watch any trash film with (read: OMG, black people are loud) -
Review from Antonio M.
Manhattan, NY
9/19/2011
I go to this theather for their awesome matinee deal. 6 bucks for any showtime before noon anyday. The staff has been helpful. The line for concessions tend to be slow during peak hours. Way more convenient than going all the way downtown. Not noisy like other theathers. The one bad thing is that the theaters do smell pretty bad until ure nose gets used to them. Oh and they usually dont care about outside food.
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Review from Shana J.
Manhattan, NY
12/6/2010
Been here a bunch of times....only because its close-by...
Bathrooms are usually clean, which I like. They have a small yet expensive selection of arcade games. Love the glass windows. The escalators when they actually work...
Food and drinks are expensive, but what else is new? Concession workers are not necessarily competent all the time but that does not effect the movie...
Of course i will be back, when I dont want to go far... -
Review from Monique D.
Manhattan, NY
4/18/2011
I grew up in Harlem...we are blessed to have the Magic Johnson Theater...I see bad reviews, I can't agree. I've never had a bad experience and Ive been going since day one!!! Magic Johnson Theater Rocks!!! The staff is always available if you need to speak with them. Just go to the desk aside the concession and someone will be glad to help you. A loyal customer!!!
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Review from Jaime V.
New York, NY
6/22/2010
Took my 3 year old daughter there to see Toy Story 3. We only went as a whim being that we now live 10 blocks away.
It is way below the standards that modern day cineplexes have come into. The Theater was dirty, and smelled... and this was at 3 p.m. on a Monday.. I would never go there on a weekend in fear of what it would smell like with a crowd. -
Review from Genevieve C.
Bronx, NY
8/24/2007
Hubby and I usually go here for our movies. We usually go for the early matinees and have no probs getting tickets last minute which is a good thing. Tickets are also cheaper here. Plus it is also nearer to home ... heh heh. :o)
Lines for the concession booth are moderate however sometimes we have to wait for quite awhile since the staff are pretty slow in serving.
We have noticed that on quite a few Fridays, the theater was filled with school kids, the younger ones were fine but the older ones are more than horrible, they make so much noise, throw stuff at people (me included) and make a nuisance of themselves. One time it got so bad, I had to go and get the staff to throw them out, they should know better not to mess with me when I had already gave them 2 warnings!
The ladies washroom is huge but they don't seem to upkeep the place, I'd better not do any description cos I may lose my appetite and yours too! :oP
The last time we were there, there was some disappointment, we had gotten our tickets, popcorn (for the hubby), nachos (for myself) and sodas, went in, found out seats, waited ... waited ... and waited but nothing came on, after like more than 30 mins, their staff finally told us the camera light bulbs were down and they won't be showing that particular movie ... geesh! We end up going out to the customer service counter, after making our complaints, they told us we were able to watch another movie if we wanted so we took that and they also gave us 2 complimentary tickets for another time.
We will still continue patronizing them. :o)Listed in: NYC Uptown
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Review from Mark K.
Brooklyn, NY
11/21/2009
This theater can get a little ghetto during the popular movie days like Friday and Saturday.
If you're going on those days, I would hold it in after the movie, some people don't know how to use the bathroom and the staff doesn't know how to clean it sometimes... -
Review from Scott J.
New York, NY
2/3/2011
EPIC FAIL. Dirty, smelly, disorganized, people talking too loud throughout the movie, no ushers to be found anywhere. I believe this was also one of the theaters that had to be fumigated due to bedbugs. Avoid at all costs.
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Review from OD N.
New York, NY
7/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
Movies are $6 before noon which makes it a great place to watch movies on a weekend. The only drawbacks are that they do not have a wide selection of movies and the crowd can be animated at times.
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Review from Nicole S.
New York, NY
5/31/2008
Oh my lord! We went to the 10:30 pm show of Sex in the City last night and it was a mad house! First off, we were put into a huge line with a 10:40 show. We waited nearly an hour, and subsequently 15 minutes after our movie was supposed to start. The employees never made known what was going on. People were cutting in the line, going and flirting with the usher up front, and there were no employees to stop them. Finally they opened the line and it was pandemonium! Like something out of a movie! A huge crowd of people were running, pushing, screaming to get into the theater. I was shocked that no one was trampled. It was ridiculous! And the only thing the management was doing was waving their hands telling people to slow down. They never did make an announcement of apology or anything. It was completely nuts! Luckily, the movie and the crowd was fun!
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Review from Stephanie D.
Bronx, NY
6/18/2011
My boyfriend and I were looking foward to watch the Thursday June 16th midnight screening of Green Lantern. Why I chose this location? Well, being from the Bronx, I've never been to a movie theater anywhere uptown or in Harlem so I thought to give it a chance. Plus, tickets for RealD 3D were $15.50 compared to $17.50 in theaters downtown. When we arrived, I was pleased to see that the theater looks really nice. So why the the low rating? We didn't get to see the movie!!! We purchased our movie munchies and took our seats. First thing I noticed when we sat down was this bad smell. After 5 mins of movie previews with no sound some poeple started to get agitated and finally someone went out to inform the staff. A couple of moments later someone from the staff came in and announced that dues to "technical difficulties" the movie wasn't going be played that night. Thankfully both tickets and food were refunded and we were given free "Admit One" passes to any AMC theater. Pretty disappointing experience since I believe that the theater should have been a bit more prepared for issues like this. Bad first visit experience. I think I"ll stick to my usual theaters for next time. SMH this is what I get for trying to save 2 bucks on movie tickets.
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Review from Fred P.
New York, NY
8/18/2009
This is my local theater, only 20 blocks from my house. I use to go downtown, but the crowds are just a pain. It is Harlem and 125th street, so you are going to get a bit of that raw Harlem vibe during some shows. I tend to go to the movies on Sunday, (Fridays and Saturdays are for hangout and drinking), so I really haven't felt that Harlem edge at the theater. Once there were some kids hitting the back of my chair and talking, I just told them to keep it down and that was it (that is my story and if there is no video, I am sticking to it)
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Review from Harlem r.
New York, NY
8/3/2010
Rating explanation: One star because it is there, and because it is cheap. The food can also be good.
That said, it is too often a nightmare to visit the Magic Johnson theater at this location. It is dirty and smells. This is not entirely the fault of the cleaning staff, who thanked me profusely and sincerely when I tossed my soda cup and popcorn bag into the garbage can rather than on the floor next to my seat - as is clearly the custom for many of the patrons of this theater. When the lights go up, quite a shocker. But staff, how about cleaning up that bathroom a bit ?
If you are lucky, you will get a good deal on a ticket, deal with the dirty feeling and the smells, and go home having seen a movie of interest.
But if you are not, you will endure cell phone ringing and then conversations, ongoing during the movie ("Yo, where you at ...?"), boisterous small children (and adults for that matter), and belligerence should you speak up about any of the noise. Then there is the talking ... once the movie is deemed uninteresting, people often strike up conversations to beat the boredom.
This is also not a theater for those broadly concerned with the welfare of children. Apparently, the management allows even unaccompanied children to enter R-rated films (or their parents abandon them once they are inside !) and it is heartbreaking to see small children, unaccompanied or not, up very late at night and watching even the most violent action and horror films. -
Review from Dickey A.
Manhattan, NY
10/17/2011
the absolute worst theater in america i have read reviews about the theater being spacious and empty ,ya think maybe because no one will go because of not only how bad it smells but the staff regularly uses the n word at the concession , the fragrant smell of blunts in the empty theaters are regular and the staff is unapologetic and hood i am an african american male that is proud of any black community that we even survive and i will continue to have high standards inspite of mr johnson .
we are a better people and those of us who have should be an example to our beloved community on what excellence is looks like and sound like its not enough to take the $ and have it appear as though you care
i challenge you to be a better business in the black community even if you were after the $ the fact that it is common knowledge and your theater in harlem is lengendary for being the worst and that most people wont goto see any opening night movie is pathetic
another bad example of a fallen role model whomp ! whomp! i forget to mention the constant cell phone conversation and rowdiness amongst the patrons . listens in this economy you want your money`s worth -
Review from Nicole Marie R.
New York, NY
1/24/2010
I bought my tickets online in advance to see the second Twilight movie at this theater because it's the closest theater to my house. My friend and I arrived, got our tickets, bought some food and found a seat, and then we waited for the movie to start...then we waited, waited, waited and waited some more. After almost an hour of waiting, the movie still had not started. The crowd was getting rowdy and I was getting pissed. After more than an hour, a manager came in to announce the projector was broken and that they wouldn't be showing the movie! The plan was to offer everyone a free movie voucher and a refund. Pure chaos ensued as hundreds of people crammed into the lobby to get their refund, mixing with other people who were buying tickets for other movies. Not to mention we were not offered refunds for the ridiculously expensive food we bought. The entire scene was enough to make me NEVER go to this movie theater ever again.
