Regal Cinemas Arbor 8 at Great Hills

One of my all time favorite movie theater, it reminds me of the old times, the way it felt like when I was younger. I love that they have a Chk bag person before u enter for your movie, so do make sure you’re not sneaking any candy or food in Bc they will ask u to get rid of it. Just FYI!!! Also love that they have movies that Cinemark usually doesn’t get.

The charm within the genuine social experience that is film, is not lost upon this wonderful cinematic gem.
This theater is wonderfully placed upon the quite and serene area of Arboretum Shops. Do indulge in movie classics with this cinema, I found it to be a real treat!

The Arbor 8 and I are in an ambivalent, long-​term relationship that I don’t see ever ending. As far as film selection is concerned, I haven’t seen a theater outside NY or LA that’s better. With a few exceptions throughout the year, the Arbor has nothing but quality independent releases, most of which you won’t find at any other theater in the city. As a film lover, this makes the Arbor a frequent destination.
Unfortunately, when a theater knows they can attract an audience based on the films they show alone, they can slack in other areas, and the Arbor 8 is as lazy as it gets. No major release theater could get away with layout and sound quality, which is at least three decades old, that Arbor gets away with. Because the seats are arranged in an extremely low slope, the screen needs to be placed high in order to prevent obstruction. This forces viewers to crane their necks upwards to see the picture. This can be avoided by sitting at the back, but then it feels like you’re seeing the film through a narrow tunnel.
As of this review, avoid seeing a film in theater 6 at all costs. Several of the front speakers are blown out, causing a harsh vibration that makes most films unlistenable. The sound on other screens isn’t great either, and the biggest problem is that it’s almost always too quiet. Numerous complaints and nothing has been fixed so far. Why would they fix it? I keep coming back anyway.

I rated this theater as a 4 previously and stand by that as far as the business itself goes, but now they ask to look in my bag when I go in. I thought they were seriously looking for weapons so I dumped everything out. Not the case– the next time I went they just looked at the top of the bag and said I was fine.
If they’re going to have a ‘safety policy’ they need to do it right instead of pretending to look for weapons. No other theater that I’ve visited except Regal does it– either be serious or stop it! It’s incompetent to say you have a policy then not follow through.

My preferred choice for art house films.
Now, any time you review a theater you have to first get past the prices. Unless you’re going to an upscale (iPic, etc) location they’re all pretty much the same. Ticket prices for any evening film are always too high, and the snacks are outrageous. Everywhere.
So get over it or don’t eat them.
With that out of the way let’s talk about the other attributes of the theatre experience. Me? I go once or twice a week: I like to see films on the big screen the way they were meant to be.
The Arbor 8 is an arthouse do-​over. You will not see Arnold Schwarzenegger here. Its comparators are the Violet Crown (too snotty for me) and the Alamo, but these both have real food choices so the comparison isn’t fair on any level other than the films themselves.
The good? Ample parking in a U-​shape around the theatre — you will not walk far although weekends are evenings may be tough since the lot is shared with Manuel’s (why people are flocking there is beyond me but you can read about that in my Manuel’s review.) As the name implies there are 8 screens so there is almost always something to see. Another nice treat, caffeine-​free Diet Coke, the only theatre I can think of that has that.
And any review of the Arbor would not be complete without a nod to the delightful ticket taker (what is her name?) that waits inside and has a tendency to say things like, «So nice to see you this evening darling» (pronounced ‘Dahlinggg”). She’s just freakin’ fun, so go.
The not-​so-​good? Its an old theatre on its second or third legs: it could use a good cleaning. The popcorn, even with the fake butter added, just tastes like paper. Yes, I know the popcorn is bad but chill out — you don’t have to eat it. I happen to like it and can tell you its worse than paper.
But perhaps the biggest thing that keeps me from loving this place — and don’t kid yourself, three stars ain’t love — are the screens themselves. Regardless of where you sit in each theatre you will find the screens somewhat small (remember its an old building) and, maybe in a nod to historical trends, placed high on the walls. I.e., you will cran your neck to watch the films: in short, I don’t like it.
A good place to go for Art films? Yes.
My first choice for my cinematic fix? No.

This is a small and older theater close by the arboretum. It looks a bit outdated (no electronic self-​ticketing booths that all other theaters have), and their prices for concessions are still exhorbant. It was around $ 20 for a popcorn and 2 drinks combo, which is kind of ridiculous. However, the theater seats were comfy and the bathrooms were clean.

I just got to see another Studio Ghibli film *When Marnie Was There.* (Trust me, long before Pixar, Studio Ghibli was killing it!) The only place in town that offers the kind of artsy, independent, and foreign films I love. I’d you want the festival winner or a movie with subtitles only, this is the place. It’s not as flashy, roomy or large as some newer theaters, but that just adds to the charm for me. You’re more likely to run into a likely new friend in the bathroom here, or your can just sit and contemplate the word woes of the world in the darkness. Also, I don’t know why the popcorn smells so great here, but it does! I never but any, but I’m just saying. Good prices.

The only place showing the lesser known movies close to the North Austin area. The only other theaters that have similar screenings are downtown or even further south. This makes Arbor 8 a gem. My only complaint would be the seating — it’s not stadium style so watching the screen isn’t as comfortable as in other theaters. Otherwise, it’s a fine place to catch a movie. I’m always excited the see the previews before a movie here, as there’s always a movie coming soon that I haven’t even heard of, but am now interested in seeing. I hope this place sticks around because it’s one of the things that make a city like Austin so great!

Ah Friday, you’re finally here. Let’s see, I can buckle down and end the week strong working… or I can join my Sr. friends for a nice quiet afternoon watching the latest indy film at the Regal. Work rarely wins this battle.
What I like:
* The crowd
* clean bathrooms
* open sitting always
What I dislike:
* that the Regal isn’t closer to my house in lakeway. Even so, the drive is often worth it for the rare and diverse films

I absolutely love this theater. Love love love!
Pros:
–FREE Regal reward program– free popcorn, soda and tickets with points
–Clean bathrooms on both sides
–Friendly and knowledgeable stuff
–Plenty of parking
–Never chaotic or stressful like many theaters
–Foreign and independent films
Cons:
They are in Austin– I live in Houston :/

I love that I can come to this theatre before noon on a weekday and see good films that tend to be playing few, if any, place else. It may not be the fanciest theatre in town but it gets most of my business.

While it’s obviously no Alamo Drafthouse or Violet Crown Cinema, this is my go-​to theater for delayed movie viewings and random independent screenings. It’s worth joining the Regal rewards program so you can get free tickets/​snacks for your loyalty. None of the theaters are stadium seating but they rarely fill up so it hardly matters. Be warned that the matinees are often swarming with elderly patrons, so consider showing up a bit early to get a more centered seat.

Small theatre in general, but the place is great. I love that they show more independent type films. Films that aren’t so much distributed to every major theatre.
Relatively clean theatre. Loved that the screen was kind of elevated so we didn’t have any heads blocking our view. Will definitely be back.

I have such affection for this theater. In fact, my star rating is largely influenced by a combination of nostalgia and cinephilia, rather than the details of the establishment itself, which probably violates the TOS. Just so you know.
By all logic, the Regal Arbor shouldn’t exist anymore. A non-​Alamo theater that shows exclusively art, independent, and foreign films? Yeah, right. The Arbor reminds me so much of a theater in the Chicago burbs my parents took me to when I was growing up, where I learned to love movies that didn’t have the latest Hollywood stars, were maybe in a different language, and were so different from the movies I went to see with my friends. In a good way. That theater closed in like 1997.
But here we have the Arbor. Even at the age of *thirtysomethingcoughcough*
I will usually be one of the youngest audience members. Their popcorn tends to be on the saltier side, which I love, while I’m eating it at least. They have red vines instead of twizzlers. A Sunday-​evening showing of a movie that’s been out for a few months will be packed. I love it.
So even though the Arbor is not the closest theater to me, I’ll make the trip. And you should too. I love you, Arbor. Don’t ever change.

Despite being an older theater, this is one of my favorites in Austin. They show great independent and foreign films, typically a week or two before they reach Alamo. (Another good bet for less mainstream films is Violet Crown downtown, FYI.) I love the woman who takes the tickets, as she always has something sweet to say and knows most of the patrons by name. They have a good selection of snacks and the fact that they have caffeine-​free Diet Coke makes me beyond happy! (Hey, sometimes it’s late and popcorn and water is just sad… and…popcorn and Sprite is not worth the extra calories.) :)
I will say that my best experiences here are with the lesser-​known films or at off-​peak times. I recently saw Boyhood on a Saturday night in a packed theater (several weeks into the run) and sat beside a guy who talked loudly and gestured at the screen through the entire thing. No one else seemed to be bothered by this, so either I’m an irritable biatch or just a movie purist (you choose). Bottom line: I prefer Alamo’s policy with the talkers, but I still love this place, especially for a lazy weekend matinée.

This theater deserves more stars but I can’t give them anymore.
First, I LOVE the programming. Really the one of two theaters in Austin that provide an oasis from the mainstream garbage, and for that I am so thankful. The concessions are fresh and good. The staff I have interacted with are nice.
That said, I can no longer tolerate the constant movie talking that goes on in every screening. It is beyond rude and distracting and seems to be prevalent in every screening of every film.
I realize the customer base skews older but, like the Alamo, I really need the Arbor staff to step up and begin reeducating their customers on proper movie etiquette.
Do not wait for Regal, or corporate. I don’t care if the box office needs to tell every ticket buyer, and there are printed signs on the doors, or if you give everyone that comes in a slip of paper reminding them to STFU during the film, but something has to occur, or I will not be coming back. And that makes me very sad.
I frequent the Arbor a lot, so I hope this review is read and heeded. If it is, I will easily and gladly change the rating to 5 stars.

This place is GREAT! I went here with a friend from Austin and she definitely knew the right movie theater to bring me to! It’s not fancy stadium seating but it totally makes up for it in other ways!
The theater has lots of parking. We headed in to a large lobby for the size of the theater and found lots of interesting things to snack on before and during the movie. The best thing about this place was how quiet it was during the movie! At 40, I think I was the youngest person in the theater, which meant that there were no noisy kids running the aisles and no teens texting during the movie! I wish this place was in Houston so I could see all my movies in this theater! While we watched the movie, an employee walked the aisles on two different occasions. I love that he was accessible if there had been a loud or disruptive patron, but I bet that is a rarity at this place.
I’m not a big art movie person and this place plays a variety. We saw Dallas Buyers Club here which is totally a major motion picture, This is my go to theater in Austin for sure!

It’s basically the only theatre left that’s dedicated to independent film in Austin. Cushy, broken-​in seats, an older crowd. I think they still have student discounts.
I’ve come here for years and saw some amazing films: Beasts of the Southern Wild, The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, My Summer of Love…
There’s always something to see here. I love Regal Cinema, what can I say? It’s not the prettiest theatre, but it’s what we have until the Alamo starts playing indies again.

In San Antonio we only have the Bijou Theatre, which showcases independent and foreign movies here. Given that more than likely Austin will get quality films before they arrive at our market, if at all. But if you love great films like I do I say why not take the hour sojourn to see them and do some Austin sight seeing as well. Kill two birds with one stone. And yet it makes me wish our city would get the volume of great films, as Austin does in any given week.
The Arbor 8 is tucked away in some strip mall, although I’m sure an Austinite might argue as to how easy it is to find for them. (In my defense I am from San Antonio and the streets here are hard to navigate through.) The theatre itself is pretty much the size I imagined, small and cozy. Another thing I suspected was that a more mature audience came here, which I was right lots of film buffs and college students swarm the perimeter. The lines were a bit long, but the staff was quick and patrons were moved out quickly.
Inside there is a small concession stand. They sell drinks, popcorn and what not. The theaters that screen the movies are intimate and seating is ample for all patrons. I say this sparingly since the theatre I go to in San Antonio can get overcrowded and stuffy. And sometimes the occasional filmgoer will sit next to me, when there are 500 empty seats around them. Unlike this theatre. I like the vibe of this place which seems really laid back and chill. For example I saw «Mozart’ s Sister» here and I thoroughly enjoyed how the vibe of the theatre translated with that movie. It made the whole viewing experience that much more pleasurable.
I have seen some interesting reviews as well as critiques of this place. It’s hard for me to measure or gauge what is being said since I do not live here nor do I have a point of reference other than the theatre I frequent in my own town. And yet I go and have gone to Austin many times. I do like this theatre but I should venture out more. At least further beyond 6^th Street…

Only ArtHouse movie theater I know of on the Northside.
Typical theater food fare, though they try and class it up with little bistro tables in the lobby. Definite food highlight is the roasted cinnasugar almonds or pecans.
You pay reg movie tix prices here, but they have a free rewards program you can sign up for to earn popcorn/​soda & discount kickbacks.
The seats aren’t particularly comfortable and you can tell the theater is in need of a facelift, but until something better comes along that offers indie film scene viewings or the price of gas goes down so the drive to Violet Crown isn’t such a punch in the wallet; this will do, Pig, this will do.