You're driving down Maple Avenue, past the endless stretch of fast food and retail, and you see it. The mall. For a lot of people in Muskingum County, the Cinemark at Colony Square Mall isn't just a place to see a flick; it’s basically the heartbeat of a Friday night. It’s been that way for a long time.
Movies matter here. In a town where you sometimes have to drive forty-five minutes just to find a specific store, having a modern, reliable multiplex right in the center of the action is a big deal. But things have changed a lot since the days of sticky floors and cramped seating.
The Modern Vibe at Colony Square Cinema Zanesville
If you haven't been in a while, the first thing you'll notice is the seats. Honestly, the "Luxury Lounger" upgrade changed the entire experience of going to the Colony Square Cinema Zanesville. We're talking electric-powered recliners that actually let you kick your feet up without kicking the person in front of you. It’s a massive shift from the old-school theater days.
The sound? It’s loud. In a good way. They’ve integrated digital 7.1 surround sound in most auditoriums, which makes those massive blockbusters feel like they're happening right in your lap.
Wait.
There's more to it than just big chairs. The theater is technically a Cinemark property, which means you get the corporate perks—like the Movie Rewards program—but with a distinctly local Zanesville crowd. You’ll see neighbors, high school kids on first dates, and families trying to wrangle toddlers with buckets of popcorn larger than the kids' heads.
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Why the Tech Actually Matters
Let's get nerdy for a second. Most people don't think about the projection, but the 4K digital setups here are sharp. You won't find many "dim" screens, which used to be a huge complaint with older bulb-based projectors. Because Cinemark keeps this location updated, the color accuracy is usually spot on.
Real Talk: The RealD 3D is available for the big Marvel or Avatar-style releases. Some people hate the glasses, but here, the screens are bright enough that the 3D doesn't feel like you're looking through a pair of dirty sunglasses.
Snacks and the "Concession Pivot"
Popcorn is the gold standard, obviously. But the Colony Square Cinema Zanesville has leaned into the more modern "snack bar plus" model. You can get the standard tubs of buttered air, sure, but they also have hot food options like nachos, hot dogs, and those massive soft pretzels that are basically a meal by themselves.
Price-wise? Yeah, it’s movie theater pricing. You know the drill. You're going to pay more for a soda than you would at the gas station across the street. But that's the trade-off for the experience.
Navigating the Logistics: Parking and Timing
The mall location is a double-edged sword. On one hand, parking is abundant. You can park near the food court entrance and walk through, or use the dedicated theater exterior entrance. Pro tip: if it's a rainy Saturday night, park by the main mall entrance and walk through the dry hallways.
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- Tuesday is the secret weapon. Cinemark does "Discount Tuesdays." If you want to see a movie for a fraction of the weekend price, this is when you go. It gets busy, though, so book your seats online.
- The App is mandatory. Don't be the person standing in line at the box office while the trailers are starting. Use the Cinemark app, pick your exact recliners, and just scan your phone at the podium.
- Arrive 15 minutes early. Not for the trailers—for the seat adjustment. You want to get your recline angle just right and settle in before the lights go down.
The theater is located at 3575 Maple Ave, Zanesville, OH 43701. It’s the anchor of the mall, sitting right alongside major retailers like JCPenney and Dunham's Sports.
The Local Impact of Cinema
Zanesville has seen businesses come and go. We've seen the landscape of the Colony Square Mall shift as retail patterns change across the country. But the cinema remains a constant. It's one of the few places in town where you can get a consistent, high-quality entertainment experience without traveling to Columbus.
Think about it.
When a movie like Spider-Man or the latest Top Gun drops, the energy in that lobby is electric. It’s a community hub.
What People Get Wrong About This Location
A lot of folks think that because it's a "mall theater," it might be run down. That’s just not the case here. Cinemark has poured a significant amount of capital into the Zanesville location specifically because the community supports it so well.
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Is it perfect? Nothing is. Sometimes the lobby gets a little chaotic when three blockbusters let out at the exact same time. Sometimes the person next to you talks through the previews. But in terms of the facility itself, it's easily one of the better-maintained theaters in the region.
Practical Insights for Your Next Visit
If you're planning a trip to the Colony Square Cinema Zanesville, keep these things in mind to make it a better time:
- Temperature Control: Like most theaters, it can get chilly. Even if it's 90 degrees in the Ohio humidity outside, bring a light hoodie. The AC in those auditoriums doesn't play around.
- The Rewards Program: If you go more than once every couple of months, sign up for Cinemark Movie Rewards. It's free, and you earn points for every dollar spent. It adds up to free snacks faster than you’d think.
- Late Night Shows: The last showings of the night usually start around 10:00 PM or 10:30 PM. Just be aware that most of the mall stores will be closed by the time you walk out of the theater, so you'll need to use the direct exit to the parking lot.
The reality of movie-going in 2026 is that you have a million choices on your couch. But you can't replicate the scale. You can't replicate the feeling of a room full of people gasping at a plot twist.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
Check the current showtimes directly on the Cinemark website or app, as third-party sites can sometimes have a lag in schedule updates. If you're planning for a weekend premiere, aim to buy tickets at least 48 hours in advance—those center-row Luxury Loungers go fast. Once you've secured your seats, plan to arrive at the mall roughly 20 minutes before showtime to handle the concession line and find your way to the correct auditorium without rushing.