You’re driving down Freedom Road, the sun is setting, and you’ve got a craving for that specific, buttery theater popcorn that you just can't replicate in a microwave. If you're looking for a cranberry twp movie theatre, things have actually changed a bit recently. You might remember the old days of the mall being a bit quieter, but the cinema scene in Cranberry Township is actually holding its own quite well against the massive multiplexes in the North Hills.
Honestly, people often confuse the local independent spot with the big chains. While Pittsburgh is crawling with Cinemarks and AMCs, the heart of the movie-going experience right here in the township is MovieScoop Cranberry Cinemas. It’s tucked into the Cranberry Mall, and if you haven't been there in a year or two, you’re basically walking into a different building.
The Recliner Revolution at Cranberry Mall
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: comfort. For a long time, the Cranberry Mall theater was just "fine." It had standard seats and that classic 90s vibe. But they went through a massive overhaul. Now, every single auditorium features those luxury electric recliners.
I’m talking about the kind of seats where you’re basically horizontal. It’s dangerous if the movie is slow. You will fall asleep.
The theater actually expanded too. They took over neighboring space—including the old Subway spot—to add more screens and square footage. They moved from a standard ten-screen setup toward a more robust twelve-screen layout. This wasn't just about adding more seats; it was about getting those Dolby surround sound systems into more rooms so they could actually compete with the big guys down the road.
Why locals choose this over North Hills
You could drive twenty minutes south to the North Hills or McCandless. Sure. But parking there on a Friday night is a nightmare. In Cranberry, you pull into the mall lot, walk thirty feet, and you’re at the ticket glass.
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They also do these things called Mighty Movie Mondays. It’s one of those local secrets that makes a huge difference if you’ve got a big family. Tickets are significantly cheaper, and the crowds are way more manageable than what you’ll find at a Cinemark XD on a weekend.
The Loss of Comtra: A Different Kind of Theatre
We have to mention this because it still catches people off guard when they look for "theatre" in the township. While the movie theatre is thriving, the live theatre scene took a massive hit recently.
Comtra Theatre is officially gone.
After 42 years of putting on local plays in that iconic old barn on Route 19, they closed their doors in early 2025. It’s a bummer. They cited rising operational costs and the sheer exhaustion of running a community theater. So, if you’re searching for a cranberry twp movie theatre thinking you might catch a live performance or a weird indie stage play there, you’re out of luck. The focus in the township has shifted entirely to the big-screen experience at the mall.
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What’s Playing Right Now (January 2026)
If you're heading out this weekend, the lineup is actually pretty wild. We're seeing a mix of massive sequels and some surprisingly high-quality indie stuff.
- Avatar: Fire and Ash: This is the big one taking up the largest screens with the best sound. It’s long. Bring a pillow.
- Zootopia 2: The lobby is going to be packed with kids for this one, so maybe aim for a late-night showing if you want peace.
- Greenland 2: Migration: A solid pick if you like Gerard Butler and things blowing up.
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple: For the horror fans, this has been the talk of the town lately.
One thing the Cranberry theatre does really well is accessibility. They have these Open Caption (OC) showings every Thursday afternoon. It’s great for the hard-of-hearing community, but honestly, even if you just like reading along, it’s a nice option that the big corporate chains sometimes bury in their schedules.
The Practical Side of Your Visit
Don't just show up and hope for the best. Since the renovation and the switch to luxury seating, the capacity in each room is actually lower than it used to be. The seats are bigger, so there are fewer of them.
Book your tickets online. Use the MovieScoop website or an app like Atom Tickets. There is nothing worse than driving to the mall, smelling the popcorn, and seeing "Sold Out" on the screen for the 7:00 PM show.
Also, if you're a regular, join the MovieScoop+ Loyalty Club. It’s one of those things that sounds like a scam but actually pays for your popcorn after a few visits. You earn points for every dollar spent, and in an era where a large soda costs as much as a small car, you need those points.
A Note on the Vibe
This isn't a "polished" corporate experience. It’s a neighborhood spot. You might see the same manager every time you go. The staff are often local kids from Seneca Valley High School. It feels like Cranberry. It doesn't have the cold, sterile feeling of a massive 20-screen megaplex, and for a lot of us, that’s exactly why we keep going back.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Movie Night:
- Check the Thursday Schedule: If you prefer subtitles or have hearing needs, look for the Red OC icon on the MovieScoop website for Thursday afternoon showtimes.
- Verify the Location: Ensure you are heading to the Cranberry Mall off Freedom Road, not the old Comtra location on Route 19 which is now defunct.
- Download the App: Use Atom Tickets to pre-order. It allows you to skip the box office line entirely and head straight to the concession stand or your seat.
- Arrive 15 Minutes Early: Since every seat is a recliner, the aisles are a bit narrower when everyone is kicked back. Getting to your seat before the trailers start makes life easier for everyone.