You know that feeling when you just need to get out of the house and disappear into a massive screen for a few hours? Honestly, in Albuquerque, the conversation usually starts and ends with the Cinemark Century Rio Plex 24 and XD. Most locals still just call it "Century 24" or "the Rio," and for good reason. It’s a landmark. Sitting right off the Pan American Freeway, that glowing neon sign is basically a North Star for anyone in the 505 looking for a decent bucket of popcorn and some air conditioning.
But here is the thing: trying to pin down Century 24 Albuquerque showtimes can feel like a moving target if you aren't looking at the right day. This place is huge. We are talking 24 screens. That is a lot of logistics. Because of that scale, they have the flexibility to run everything from the biggest Marvel-style blockbusters to random Bollywood hits and 20th-anniversary re-releases that you didn't even know were back in theaters.
What is playing right now?
If you are looking for a flick this week, the lineup is actually pretty wild. It’s January 2026, and the schedule is packed with a mix of high-concept sci-fi and some surprisingly gritty dramas.
James Cameron is still king of the hill here. Avatar: Fire and Ash is dominating the XD (Extreme Digital) screens. If you haven't done XD at Century 24 yet, you're missing out. It’s Cinemark's version of IMAX—massive wall-to-wall screens and a sound system that literally vibrates your seat. Speaking of vibrating seats, they’ve also got D-BOX for a lot of the Avatar showings, which is great if you want your chair to tilt and rumble every time a Banshee takes flight.
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Beyond the blue aliens, there is a lot of variety. Here is a quick look at what’s currently taking up the most screen real estate:
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple: The long-awaited sequel is pulling in huge crowds. They have showtimes running almost every hour on the hour, from 9:30 AM matinees to late-night 11:00 PM slots.
- Zootopia 2: This is the big one for families. It’s playing in standard format with plenty of afternoon times for the kids.
- The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants: Another heavy hitter for the weekend mornings.
- Greenland 2: Migration: Gerard Butler is back at it, and the showtimes are scattered throughout the day, including some late-night 11:25 PM screenings.
- Classic Re-releases: They are currently doing a 2026 anniversary run for The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Catching The Two Towers on a screen that big is a whole different experience than watching it on your couch.
Why showtimes at Century 24 hit different
Look, I’ve been to almost every theater in town. Regal Winrock has that fancy 4DX with the water sprays, and Flix Brewhouse is great if you want a full meal. But Century 24 is the workhorse. It’s reliable. Because they have 24 auditoriums, they can afford to keep a movie running for six weeks after everyone else has dropped it.
The seating situation is also a major factor. They’ve fully committed to the Luxury Loungers. These aren't just slightly tilted chairs; they are the full electric recliners with the heat settings. It makes the three-hour runtime of something like Avatar or a Lord of the Rings marathon actually bearable for your lower back. Just a heads-up though: these are all reserved seating. If you just show up on a Friday night at 7:00 PM thinking you’ll snag a middle-row seat, you’re gonna end up in the front row straining your neck. Book the tickets on the app or Fandango before you leave the house. Trust me.
The XD Experience vs. Standard
People always ask if the extra five bucks for XD is worth it. Personally? For something like Dead Man's Wire or a quiet indie flick, probably not. But for Avatar or Five Nights at Freddy's 2, the sound design in that XD room is incredible. It’s immersive. You feel the bass in your chest.
Dealing with the concessions gauntlet
We have to talk about the snacks. It’s part of the ritual. The Century 24 lobby is massive, but it can get chaotic. They have the self-serve popcorn stations now, which is a game-changer. You buy your bucket, and you fill it yourself. It’s the ultimate test of self-control with the butter dispenser.
They also have the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. You want a Peach Sprite Zero? You got it. But a word of advice: if you’re heading to a 7:15 PM show, get there by 6:45 PM. The line for the hot food—like the sliders and the pizzas—can move slow when the theater is at capacity.
Pro tips for your visit
- The Movie Club Perk: If you go to the movies more than once a month, just join the Cinemark Movie Club. It’s about ten bucks, you get a free ticket every month that rolls over, and more importantly, it waives the online booking fees. Those $2 fees add up fast.
- Parking Strategy: The lot is huge, but it's shared with a bunch of other businesses. If it's a Saturday night, don't even try to park right in front of the doors. Just head to the north side of the lot immediately and walk the extra 50 feet. You’ll save ten minutes of circling.
- Tuesday Discounts: Discount Tuesdays are still a thing. Most tickets are significantly cheaper, but so is everyone else's. Expect crowds.
- The Hidden Gems: Don't ignore the "Alt-Content." Century 24 often hosts live broadcasts of the Royal Ballet or UFC fights. Check the "Coming Soon" section on their site for these because they usually only have one or two showtimes and they don't advertise them as much as the big movies.
Getting there and staying late
The theater is located at 4901 Pan American Fwy NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. It’s basically right where I-25 and Montaño/Montgomery collide. Because it’s so central, it’s the go-to meeting spot.
One thing I love about this location is the late-night vibe. Because they have so many screens, they usually have "last call" showtimes starting as late as 11:30 PM. If you are a night owl, there is nothing better than walking out of a movie at 2:00 AM when the freeway is empty and the air is crisp.
Check the official Cinemark app for the most accurate Century 24 Albuquerque showtimes for today. Things change fast based on demand, and they occasionally swap auditoriums if a movie is selling out faster than expected.
Whether you are there for the latest horror flick like Primate or taking the kids to see Charlie the Wonderdog, Century 24 remains the heart of the Albuquerque movie scene. It's big, it's loud, and the seats are comfortable enough to accidentally nap in—though with the sound system in the XD rooms, good luck with that.
To make the most of your trip, download the Cinemark app and reserve your loungers at least three hours before showtime. This is especially true for the XD screenings of Avatar or 28 Years Later, which are still packing the house. If you’re planning a weekend outing, grab your tickets by Thursday night to secure the "Goldilocks" seats in the center of the theater.