You’re sitting on the couch, scrolling through your phone, and the "what should we do?" debate starts. If you’re in Muskingum County, that usually leads to one place: the Colony Square Mall. But honestly, the way people talk about the cinema scene here is kinda funny. They act like it’s just a place to grab some overpriced popcorn and kill two hours. It’s actually more than that, especially right now in January 2026.
There’s a weird myth that small-town theaters like ours only get the leftovers. Total nonsense. Looking at the movies playing in Zanesville right now, we’ve actually got the same heavy hitters you’d find in Columbus or Cleveland, just without the hour-long drive on I-70.
The Heavy Hitters at Colony Square
If you haven’t been to the Cinemark lately, the lineup is actually pretty stacked. We’re deep into the winter blockbuster season, and James Cameron is still dominating the conversation. Avatar: Fire and Ash is basically a permanent resident at the theater right now. It’s been out since December, but people are still lining up for the RealD 3D showings. It’s long. Like, three-hours-and-fifteen-minutes long. Bring a cushion or make sure you’re in one of those luxury loungers because your back will thank you.
But the real buzz this week? It's all about the horror. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple just dropped. Nia DaCosta took the reigns on this one, and seeing Cillian Murphy back in this world is honestly a trip. It’s gritty. It’s loud. It’s exactly the kind of thing that makes you want to keep the lights on when you get back home to North Zanesville.
Then you’ve got the weird stuff. Jack Black and Paul Rudd in Anaconda. No, it’s not a remake of the J-Lo movie from the 90s. It’s a comedy inspired by it. It feels a bit like Jumanji met a slasher flick, and it’s pulling in surprisingly decent crowds for a mid-January release.
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Not Just For the Kids (But Mostly)
Zanesville is a family town. You see it every Friday night when the lobby is packed with kids. Zootopia 2 is the big draw for the younger crowd right now. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman are back, and the theater is basically a sea of toddlers during the matinees.
If you’re looking for something a bit shorter—because let’s be real, some of these movies are marathons—The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is only about 90 minutes. It’s a quick in-and-out.
What about the "Event" Cinema?
One thing people often overlook about the Zanesville movie scene is the special events. Cinemark does this thing where they bring back classics. Right now, they’re doing a massive 25th-anniversary run for The Lord of the Rings.
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition)
- The Two Towers * The Return of the King
These aren't just regular screenings. They are the massive, four-hour-plus versions. You’ll see people showing up in full Hobbit gear. It’s a whole vibe. They also have the Metropolitan Opera screenings for the "culture" crowd, like The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay coming up later this month.
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Why the "Zanesville Experience" is Different
The Cinemark Colony Square Mall is the big player, but it’s not the only way to see a "show" in town. People forget about the Renner Theatre on North 7th Street or the Zanesville Community Theatre. Sure, they aren't playing the new Avatar, but if you want that live, intimate feeling, they’re the backbone of the local arts.
But back to the big screen. The Cinemark here has been upgraded quite a bit. We’ve got the heated recliners now. It’s a far cry from the old days of sticky floors and stiff plastic seats.
Planning Your Night
If you’re heading out, keep a few things in mind:
- Discount Tuesdays: This is still the best-kept secret for locals. Tickets are cheaper, but the crowds are bigger. If you hate people talking during the movie, avoid Tuesday.
- The App is Mandatory: Don't be the person waiting in the long line at the box office. Use the Cinemark app, get your QR code, and walk right in. You can even pre-order your popcorn so you don't have to stand behind a family of six trying to decide between a medium or large ICEE.
- The "Hidden" Theater: If Zanesville is too crowded, a lot of locals skip over to the AMC Indian Mound 9 in Heath. It’s about 30 minutes away, but sometimes they have different indie releases that don’t make it to our Cinemark.
Real Talk on the Current Slate
Let’s be honest about some of the other movies playing in Zanesville right now. Greenland 2: Migration is fine if you like Gerard Butler screaming at meteors. It’s a standard "end of the world" sequel. The Housemaid with Sydney Sweeney is a much better pick if you want a thriller that actually makes you think. It’s based on a book, and Paul Feig directed it, which gives it a bit more polish than your average January dump-month movie.
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And for the true-crime junkies, Dead Man’s Wire is getting some traction. It’s about a kidnapping in the 70s, starring Bill Skarsgård. It’s dark, moody, and a nice break from the CGI explosions happening in the next theater over.
How to Get the Best Seat
In Zanesville, everybody wants the middle-back. Those seats sell out first. If you’re seeing something in XD (their big-screen format), the sound is so loud it doesn’t really matter where you sit, but for the standard screens, try to aim for row F or G.
The theater is located at 3575 Maple Avenue. It’s easy to find. Just look for the mall. If you’re coming from south of town, give yourself an extra ten minutes for the traffic on Maple—it’s always a mess around 6:00 PM.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Movie Night
Instead of just showing up and hoping for the best, do this:
- Check the "Coming Soon" list: Films like Mercy with Chris Pratt and Send Help (the new Sam Raimi flick) are dropping in the next two weeks.
- Join the Rewards Program: If you go more than once a month, Cinemark Movie Rewards actually saves you money. You get one free ticket a month and a discount on the snacks.
- Time it right: If you want a quiet experience, the Sunday night 7:00 PM showings are usually dead. It’s the best time for a date night where you actually want to hear the dialogue.
- Eat before you go: Maple Avenue is lined with food. Hit up Roosters or Tumbleweed before the show so you aren't trying to make a meal out of a $12 hot dog.
The movie scene in Zanesville is surprisingly robust for a city this size. Whether you're there for the 3D spectacle of Pandora or a 25-year-old journey through Middle-earth, there's plenty to keep you off the couch.