Look, if you’ve lived around the Wiregrass for more than a minute, you probably still catch yourself saying, "Let’s go to the Carmike." It’s a habit. It’s muscle memory. For decades, the Carmike 12 movies Dothan AL was the undisputed king of a Friday night out. You’d pull into that sprawling parking lot at the Dothan Pavilion, grab a bucket of popcorn that was roughly the size of a small toddler, and settle in for whatever Michael Bay or Marvel flick was dominating the cultural zeitgeist.
But things changed. A lot.
If you try to find "Carmike" on a map today, you’re going to be staring at a digital ghost. The signs are gone. The branding is different. Yet, people still search for it by the old name because, honestly, the transition was a bit of a whirlwind.
The Big Switch: What Happened to Carmike 12?
In late 2016, a massive corporate earthquake hit the theater industry. AMC Entertainment Holdings basically swallowed Carmike Cinemas whole in a $1.1 billion deal. By 2017, the Carmike name was officially retired.
What used to be the Carmike 12 movies Dothan AL is now officially the AMC CLASSIC Dothan Pavilion 12.
There’s a reason they added the "CLASSIC" tag. AMC didn't just slap a new sticker on the door; they categorized their theaters. The "Classic" brand is basically their way of saying, "We kept the hometown feel (and the Carmike prices), but we’re running the show now." You still get the refillable popcorn buckets—a Carmike staple that AMC was smart enough to keep—but the logo features that folded "C" that looks suspiciously like the old Carmike branding. It's a nod to the past.
The Current Experience at Dothan Pavilion 12
Going to the movies in 2026 isn't quite the same as it was in the early 2000s. The Dothan Pavilion 12 has stayed relevant by leaning into specific perks that the bigger "luxury" theaters sometimes skip over.
- The Price Point: Let’s be real. Movie tickets are expensive. However, this location still runs Discount Tuesdays. If you’re a Stubs member (even the free version), you can snag tickets for a fraction of the weekend price.
- The Tech: It’s not all nostalgia. They’ve got RealD 3D and digital projection that holds up. You aren't watching a grainy film reel; the 4883 Montgomery Highway spot keeps the bulb bright.
- Accessibility: One thing people often overlook is that this theater is one of the few in the area that consistently offers Open Caption screenings. If you’re hard of hearing or just really like reading your dialogue, they actually schedule specific showtimes for this.
The seating is standard. You aren't getting those massive, heated leather recliners that the AMC Dothan 6 (over by Northside Mall) offers. That's the trade-off. You go to the Pavilion 12 for the "big" multiplex feel and the wider selection of movies, while the Dothan 6 is where you go if you want to take a nap in a recliner halfway through a slow drama.
Why Does the Name "Carmike 12" Still Stick?
Identity is a funny thing. For Dothan residents, Carmike was "America’s Hometown Theatre." It was headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, just a hop and a skip away. It felt local. Even though AMC is a global behemoth, the Pavilion 12 still carries that slightly worn-in, comfortable energy of a Southern multiplex.
We’ve all got memories there. First dates. Hiding from the Alabama humidity in July. Seeing Avatar for the first time in 2009.
The theater currently anchors the Dothan Pavilion shopping center. It's surrounded by places like Target and Kohl's, making it the "anchor" for a whole afternoon of errands and entertainment. It survives because it’s convenient.
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What You Should Know Before You Go
If you’re planning a trip to see the latest blockbuster—like Avatar: Fire and Ash or the 2026 re-releases of The Lord of the Rings—keep a few things in mind.
Mobile Ordering is King.
Don't stand in the popcorn line if you don't have to. You can order your "Feature Fare" (the AMC term for snacks) on the app before you even leave your house. They have Coca-Cola Freestyle machines too, which is a massive upgrade from the old "four-flavor" fountain days.
Check the Showtimes Carefully.
There are actually two AMC locations in Dothan. People mix them up constantly.
- AMC CLASSIC Dothan Pavilion 12: 4883 Montgomery Highway (The old Carmike).
- AMC CLASSIC Dothan 6: 209 Executive Park Drive (The one with the recliners).
If you buy tickets online for the wrong one, you’re looking at a 10-minute drive across town while the trailers are already playing. It happens more than you’d think.
Is It Still the Best Spot in Town?
"Best" is subjective. If you want the latest tech and 12 different screens to choose from, then yes, the former Carmike 12 movies Dothan AL is still your primary destination. It handles the big crowds better than the smaller 6-screen theater.
However, it’s not perfect. Being a "Classic" location means the facility is older. Some of the seats have seen better days. The carpets have survived a thousand spilled Icees. But there’s a charm to it. It’s a movie theater that feels like a movie theater, not a high-end bistro that happens to show films.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Visit
To get the most out of your visit to the Pavilion 12, follow these steps:
- Join AMC Stubs: Even the "Insider" tier is free. It gets you the Tuesday discounts and allows you to skip the ticketing line by using your phone.
- Target the Matinee: Any show before 4:00 PM is 20% off. In this economy, that's a win.
- The Popcorn Bucket: If you go to the movies more than three times a year, buy the annual refillable bucket. It’s a carryover from the Carmike days and it’s the best deal in the building.
- Check for "Screen Unseen": AMC does these mystery screenings where you pay a lower price (usually around $5) to see a movie before it’s released. The catch? You don’t know what movie it is until the lights go down.
The Carmike 12 movies Dothan AL might be gone in name, but the building at 4883 Montgomery Highway is still the heartbeat of the local film scene. Just remember to call it AMC if you're using GPS, or you might end up looking for a theater that officially "closed" seven years ago.
For the latest schedule, your best bet is to check the AMC Theatres app directly or use a third-party site like Fandango. Showtimes for the weekend usually drop on Wednesday afternoons. If you're looking for a specific indie film, you might be out of luck—this location focuses heavily on the big-budget spectacles. For the artsy stuff, you might have to drive to Tallahassee or Montgomery, but for a bucket of popcorn and a superhero movie, the Pavilion is still the place to be.