You’re walking down Bay Street in Long Beach, the salt air is hitting your face, and you see that massive glowing sign. Honestly, the Pike movie theater in Long Beach—officially known as the Cinemark at The Pike Outlets and XD—is more than just a place to grab overpriced popcorn. It’s the anchor of the whole downtown waterfront scene.
Long Beach has a weird relationship with its history. We love to tear things down and build them back up. But the Pike? It’s a survivor, even if it looks nothing like the roller-coaster-filled "Pike" of the 1950s.
If you’ve ever tried to find parking on a Friday night near the Aquarium of the Pacific, you know the struggle is real. But people keep coming back to this specific theater because it hits that sweet spot between corporate luxury and "I just want to see a movie in a massive chair." It isn't just about the screen; it’s about the context of being right there next to the harbor.
The Cinemark at the Pike Experience: More Than Just XD
People always ask if the "XD" is actually worth the extra five bucks. Short answer? Usually. Extreme Digital Cinema (XD) is Cinemark’s version of IMAX. It’s got a wall-to-wall screen and a sound system that literally vibrates your seat during those bass-heavy Hans Zimmer soundtracks. If you’re seeing a Marvel flick or the latest Dune installment, skipping the XD screen at the Pike movie theater in Long Beach feels like a mistake.
The seats are another story. We’re talking about those electric luxury loungers. They’re dangerous. I’ve definitely seen people drift off during the slower parts of a three-hour indie film because they’re basically leather sofas.
There’s a bar, too. "Cinemark Cafe" sounds fancy, but it’s basically a spot where you can grab a local craft beer or a glass of wine to take into the theater. It changes the vibe. Instead of feeling like a frantic mall experience, it feels a bit more adult, even if there are teenagers everywhere.
Why the Location at The Pike Outlets Matters
The theater sits at 99 S Pine Ave. That puts it right in the crosshairs of everything. You have the Hyatt Centric across the way, the Ferris wheel spinning in the background, and enough H&M bags to fill a stadium.
Back in the day—and I mean way back, like the early 1900s—this area was the "Coney Island of the West." It was gritty. It had a wooden roller coaster called the Cyclone Racer. When the Pike movie theater in Long Beach opened as part of the massive redevelopment in the early 2000s, it was a gamble. Would people actually come downtown for movies when they could just go to a suburban multiplex in Lakewood or Cerritos?
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They did.
The theater succeeded because it’s walkable. You can grab dinner at Gladstone’s or Yard House, walk over for a 7:30 PM showing, and then hit a bar on Pine Avenue afterward. It’s a cohesive night out. It’s one of the few places in LA County where "dinner and a movie" doesn't require moving your car twice.
Parking: The Necessary Evil
Let’s talk about the garage. The Pike Outlets parking structure is... a lot. It’s huge. It’s confusing.
Pro tip: The theater validates. Don’t be that person who pays full price for parking because you forgot to scan your ticket at the kiosk. Usually, validation gets you about three or four hours for a heavily discounted rate, which is plenty of time for a movie and a quick walk by the water. Just keep that tiny paper ticket safe.
The Technical Specs That Actually Count
Most people don't care about lumens or hertz, but you notice when they're missing. The Pike uses Barco laser projection in its premium rooms. The color depth is insane.
- Screen Size: The XD screen is over 70 feet wide.
- Audio: 11.1 multi-channel surround sound. You can hear a pin drop, or a giant lizard roar, with terrifying clarity.
- Seating: Reserved seating is mandatory. No more "scouting" for seats in the dark.
- Accessibility: Fully ADA compliant with assistive listening devices and closed captioning tech available at the box office.
The theater also runs a lot of "alternative" content. It’s not just the big blockbusters. You’ll see Fathom Events—think Metropolitan Opera broadcasts, old-school anime marathons, or one-night-only documentaries. It’s a smart move. It keeps the screens full on a Tuesday night when nobody is going to see the latest superhero sequel for the third time.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Pike Movie Theater
There’s a common misconception that it’s "too crowded." Honestly? If you go on a Tuesday or a Sunday morning, you’ll have the place to yourself.
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The crowds are mostly concentrated around the big Disney or Warner Bros. releases. If you’re looking for a quiet experience, avoid the opening weekend of any movie with a $200 million budget.
Another thing: people think the food is limited to popcorn. It’s not. They’ve got pizzas, mozzarella sticks, and chicken tenders. Is it five-star dining? No. But it’s surprisingly decent when you’re starving and Oppenheimer is still only halfway through.
The Local Economic Impact
The presence of a high-end cinema at the waterfront is a major reason why the surrounding retail stays alive. Large-scale theaters act as "anchors." They pull people in from Signal Hill, the Port of Long Beach, and even San Pedro.
When you look at the vacancy rates in other malls, The Pike Outlets holds its own because people still value that physical, shared experience of watching a movie. You can't replicate that 70-foot screen at home, no matter how nice your living room setup is.
Surviving the Streaming Era
Let's be real. Streaming almost killed theaters. During the 2020-2022 stretch, things looked bleak for the Pike movie theater in Long Beach. But Cinemark made some smart pivots. They pushed their "Movie Club" subscription hard—ten bucks a month for a ticket and discount concessions.
It worked.
The "subscription model" for theaters saved this location. It turned occasional moviegoers into "regulars." If you live in Long Beach and go to the movies more than once a month, you're basically losing money if you don't use the app.
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A Quick Comparison: Pike vs. Other Long Beach Theaters
Long Beach has a few options, but they all serve different vibes:
The Art Theatre on 4th Street is for the indie crowd, the foreign films, and the "wine and a croissant" vibe. It’s beautiful, but it doesn't have the tech. Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26 over at the Towne Center is a beast—it’s massive, but it’s in a parking lot wasteland.
The Pike movie theater in Long Beach wins on "vibe." You have the ocean. You have the Queen Mary visible from the balcony nearby. You have the sea breeze.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head down there, do it right.
Check the schedule for "Discount Tuesdays." It’s a thing, and the tickets are significantly cheaper. You’ll save enough for a large drink.
Download the Cinemark app before you arrive. You can order your popcorn from your phone while you're still in the car (or walking from the parking garage). This saves you from standing in that agonizingly slow concession line while the trailers are already playing.
Check the Long Beach Convention Center schedule too. If there's a massive convention or a race (like the Grand Prix) happening, the Pike is going to be a nightmare to access. Plan your movie nights on the "off" weekends of major city events to ensure you actually get a parking spot and a seat without a headache.
Lastly, take a moment after the movie to walk toward the water behind the theater. The view of the lighthouse at Rainbow Harbor at night is one of the best free sights in Southern California. It’s the perfect way to decompress after a loud movie.
- Sign up for the Movie Rewards program (it's free at the basic level).
- Validate your parking ticket inside the lobby before the movie ends.
- Reserve your seats at least 24 hours in advance for weekend showings.
- Use the Pine Avenue entrance for a shorter walk if you're being dropped off by an Uber or Lyft.