Pickwick Theater

Yeah! Star Wars in the main theater! Loved it! Love the Pickwick. Nothing beats the main theater. Lots of room. Plenty of seats. Under 10 $ per ticket. Reasonable concessions compared to those other places. Actual matinée prices for a matinée show.

Big fan of this theater. The employees are super nice and helpful. The place has that old school charm to it. If you have never been there make sure to watch the movies in the main theater. The sheer size of it is unlike anything I’ve seen in this area.
We make it a point to frequent this place rather than the AMC. The tickets are cheaper-​$ 8 only during prime time & cheaper during matinée.
The popcorn is cheaper too. We don’t need all that 3D b.s. to watch a movie.
They even have free older movies screenings with donations for charities. It’s just a great place. Plenty of parking as well.

If you have a theater to be pickin’, check out Pickwick in the heart of downtown Park Ridge!
A few notes:
— only 4 movies at a time play here. Check the website for what’s currently showing.
— Tickets are $ 8 for most and $ 6 for senior citizens. I believe the rate is lower for matinees.
— You can buy tickets online (+$ 1 per ticket processing fee)!
— 2 check ins on Unilocal get you a free popcorn!
— I would hold out or plan a visit to watch a movie in the main theater, which is like twice as big as theaters 2, 3, and 4. We enjoyed movies like Superman and the Martin here.
— Fun fact: it’s on the national register of historic places! Who knew?
— Parking lot available behind the theater.

You can’t beat the price, depending on what time you go, I agree, but this is the reason for my bad review: why do you need an ID verfiy ticket sales if you buy them ONLINE, then bring them to the movie theatre? How do I know you don’t memorize my credit/​debit card number to use it later? Maybe that’s a little much on my part. Overthinking? Maybe… And you need my PHOTO ID? I’M NOT BUYING A CAR OR ELECTRONICS! Look, I’m all for security and fraud prevention, but a MOVIE THEATRE? COME ON! i don’t have this much trouble when I card for liquor! BYE BYE PR! YOU LOST A CUSTOMER!

Good popcorn while good drinks
This place is a classic. Even thought there theaters are a bit old and «dirty» it is very big and fun. Popcorn is good and seats are comfortable .
Will be going again for sure!

Small cozy theater with really comfy leather seats. Popcorn, drinks and tickets really reasonable. Will definitely come here again!

Out with the old, in with the… old?!
Well, the seats are new! The main auditorium is the main event… housed in the 1928 art-​deco building that is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built to resemble an Aztec or Mayan temple. The «Pickwick» marquee and the building are a landmark of Park Ridge, IL. The whole downtown — the library, the shops, the train tracks running through — give you a feel of a little «Main Street» town although the town of PR is home to some 39 000 residents and a quick drive to downtown Chicago. (Well, «quick is relative» so ride the Metra!) PS — some of the long-​lived shops like «Pine’s» (recently shuttered — had been there since 1952), «Pickwick restaurant» (likewise) have or are going by the wayside, so get on over that way if you have any inclination to catch them in what could be their final years.
The first PG-​rated movie I’d ever seen was «Invasion of the Body Snatchers» and I’m a Donald Sutherland fan to this day. Was it in the main theatre? Ha-​HA! (The other three weren’t added until 1990.) Was I cool?! I was not cool though — very freaked out by that movie. For some reason, my friend’s mom’s brown t-​top camaro and the Pickwick marquee are lodged together in my memory. If the marquee seems familiar, but you’ve never been here… maybe it’s from having watched «Siskel and Ebert» — it’s featured quickly and side-​view in the opening credits.
The three other theaters behind through the alley and out by the parking lot and aren’t quite as exciting! If you can catch your favorite flick playing in the main theatre… highly recommend. It’s worth the drive/​travel time if you enjoy architecture, history and can take in a favorite flick. Prices have been kept in line too which makes it very nice. They also do some «movie classics» like «Gone With the Wind» so even more charming to catch a «frankly my dear» moment at the era-​related Pickwick! (GWTW was filmed in 1939; same year as Wizard of Oz.)
PS — sign up for their newsletter to receive a free drink with the purchase of a large popcorn (and other promos).

Got to live the old theater. They do not make them like that anymore. I wish they would put some money back into it. Not just into the seats

I’ve been near this theater may times in my seven years living in Illinois. I’d never been in it before yesterday, when I went to the Silent Film Society’s screening of The Whispering Chorus.
The theater is just beautiful. Art deco style and incredibly well preserved. There is only one theatre, so it’s not like a megaplex with 17 screens. The seats were some of the most comfortable movie theater seats I’ve been in, and they looked almost brand new.
I’m so glad that the SFSC moved here for the summer; I would be ecstatic if they stayed her in the future, too, simply because transportation is fantastic and easy (a block from the UPNW line, Metra) and parking is available around the theatre. And there is air conditioning!
Looking forward to my next visit to Pickwick, and I hope to get here more often for everyday movies, too.

I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed this place yet. Always liked it for the reasonable prices and easily-​found free parking, but the new seats sealed this as my go-​to theater.
They only have 4 movies at a time, but considering they almost always get the movies I want to see, it’s rarely been an issue. I’ve noticed movies only seem to stay in the main theater for one, maybe two weeks tops. If you have your heart set on seeing something in that theater, go opening week. After that, the movie moves to the back theaters.
Doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the mega theaters everywhere else, but if you’re only looking to see a movie without needing to take out a loan to do so, this is the place to go.

Definitely an old school theater with huge seating. Not one of the more modern theaters, but that’s not why you’d come here. I used to go here bc they showed some movies that were not being shown at the chains closer to my house, but now I go elsewhere. Nothing against this place, I just haven’t been here for a while as I went somewhere that was more modernized and had better overall sound quality.

Really love this theater! I had been here a couple of times prior to moving to the area, but now I’m certain I will be here regularly. Cheap movie prices, cheap popcorn + candy, comfy seats.

I know 3D and surround sound are all the rave, and movie theaters that double as bistros are the norm these days but there’s something about the old school ways of this art deco theater that just satisfies me.
Perhaps it’s the fact that it’s located in Park Ridge, one of the more underrated locales in the area or the fact that it is the only theater that would play newly-​released Filipino movies. Whatever the reasons may be, I found it charming (and I don’t mean charming in the kitschy, bed &breakfast kind of way!) and a wonderful way to enjoy the movie going experience for its sublime pureness.
The only regret I have is not having enough time to stay after the movies, as there were so many charming little stores in the neighborhood. There’s always next time!

I love the pickwick! It’s such an old theater and brings back so many childhood memories. My parents took me here all the time! Now as an adult, I love coming here! They always are playing films that have been out for awhile but other theaters are not playing anymore.
You also can’t beat the price! It’s 7 dollars for an adult admission for a night showing! Great deal! Staff is wonderful as well! Even though the theater room is smaller, it’s still has great quality and sound!
I hope this theater stays around forever! I love the older feel about it ;) never change a thing!!!

Wow, look at that gorgeous, old, lovingly restored theater.
No, seriously – take a good look at the exterior, because there is only a 25% chance that you will get to see the inside.
I jumped at the chance to incorporate a Pickwick matinée into a recent suburban weekend adventure. Sadly, it was the legion of rugrats queued up for The Lego Movie who got to enjoy the splendid architecture and rich history of the old Pickwick. We old farts were relegated to the strip-​mall theaters in back.
For only five bucks, I suppose that a person can’t ask for much, but a minimum requirement of attending a movie is being able to SEE the movie. I don’t mind the small scale at all, but there is almost no slope to the room, so unless your front neighbors are little persons (of course they couldn’t be children because the lucrative kids’ flicks play in the main theater), their heads are guaranteed to block your view. This kind of egregious design flaw really chaps my hide. It is absolutely criminal that they charge the same ticket price for the back theaters as they do for the main theater. They should raise the latter or lower the former.
Also, there was vicious competition in both adjacent parking lots. I ended up taking a street spot a block away where there were no signs. So much for the myth of bounteous suburban parking.
On the up side, the chairs are new and comfortable, and the sound impeccable. That last point is important when 87% of your fellow patrons are heedless blue hairs and oblivious codgers who puncture the screening with over-​loud grunts and groans and guffaws, and a chorus of «What did he say?“s and «Huh?“s and «Oh no!“s and «Watch out!“s. Thankfully I was able to hear MOST of the dialogue even over their outbursts.
At regular ticket prices, this place would merit two stars; at five bucks per matinée and seven per evening show, I can grudge it an «A-​OK.»

The historic charm and shop-​local plugs have been covered by my fellow reviewers, so let me describe just the pros and cons of my particular visit.
Pro:
Price: $ 5 before 5:00
Coupon for free popcorn for signing up online for e-​newsletters
First run movies
Looking the other way when I brought in an outside bev (hot chocolate, so not something I could have bought there anyway)
Parking is free
Local flavor: people in Park Ridge are cute
Con:
You will waste time in line for the front theater if you don’t realize your movie is in the back
In spite of the renovations, seats in the back theaters (at least 2) have zero incline So, prepare to watch a movie in airplane rows and cross your fingers the person in front of you is short and bald
There will be a person in front of you, and possibly next to you, if the movie is popular
Parking in the lot may try your patience
Local flavor: people in Park Ridge sometimes forget they’re in a public theater and not, say, Mystery Science Theater 3000
Overall, a great value and a mostly pleasant experience. I’d like to try the front theater next time since it’s the real deal. Hope the Pickwick sticks around.

I’ve been coming to this theater all my life. I live the big screen at the main theater and the smaller ones are good too. Theater floor is only accessible by stairs. Tickets are reasonable and the popcorn is delicious! I love going there with my parents!

Great theatre to have in my new home town. It’s housed in a historic building on the National Registrar of Historic Places. The historic building houses the huge main theatre (No. 1) with comfortable new seats, and first run movies for $ 7. Other Pickwick smaller showrooms are apparently housed a short walk away and which we did not bother to see as of yet. They use
for online bookings.

It’s been long overdue for a rewrite after a disappointing time. Pickwick is a Park Ridge landmark and is a less expensive option to the AMC’s out there. Located where they are in the center of town, it is quite convenient to stop at Starbucks and come in for a movie. I’ve been coming to this theatre for nearly 20 years. It’s not a fancy multiplex but with all their recent upgrades they have comfortable seats and cupholders that fit their cup sizes. While the main theatre is what you see on the corner of Northwest Highway and Prospect, there are 3 smaller theatres in the back of the building which have a separate theatre entrance from the alley.
The art on the ceiling and the elaborate lobby and corridor give it the old classic cinema appearance you don’t find in the modern theatres with 20 screens. Concessions can be busy, as the counter is limited in size and there is only one cash register. On slow days, you’ll see only one person working there, but I’ve found that usually I can be in my seat in time for the movie even if there was a long line when I arrived at the theatre.
Finally, save your ticket stubs after the show. Yourgurt is right around the corner on Northwest Highway. Bring in your ticket stub and get 15% off a frozen yogurt creation.

My friends and I decided we wanted to kick back with a movie after dining in and otherwise exploring throughout Park Ridge. Unlike many suburbs, there was actually a movie theater here!
I was shocked that there were first-​run movies here for only FIVE DOLLARS. That is seriously cheap; I’m accustomed to paying like $ 9 or $ 10 for movie tickets, even for matinée shows. So, I was immediately impressed with this theater. We got a small popcorn to share and my friends were able to bring their Starbucks drinks into the theater, which is notable; many/​most theaters do not allow this.
My friend, a Park Ridge native, was relieved that the movie we were seeing («The Great and Powerful Oz») was in the big theater because «the other ones are smaller and cannot compare.» I was floored by how HUGE this theater was. There were SO MANY seats (I can’t even begin to guess how many). The architecture and art is incredible. That is what made the experience for me really unique.
I did have one annoyance, though: the lights. I was expecting the red lights shaped kind of like torches on the walls would go away or at least dim after the coming attractions. However, they stayed just as bright. Because we weren’t sitting in the first couple rows (we were about halfway in), the lights distracted me from the movie a bit. I didn’t feel like I was fully involved and lost in the movie because of these obvious lights in my periphery.
Overall, I would definitely return here for the amazing prices and really cool décor.