You’re standing on 42nd Street. The lights are blinding, someone in a giant Elmo suit is trying to hug you for five bucks, and the humidity is basically a physical entity. In the middle of this beautiful, neon-soaked chaos sits Regal Times Square West 42nd Street New York NY. Most tourists walk right past it thinking it's just another generic multiplex. They are so wrong.
Honestly, this isn't just a place to hide from a sudden Manhattan downpour. It is a massive, multi-story tech marvel built on top of some pretty gritty history. If you've ever wondered why locals actually brave the "Crossroads of the World" just to see a movie, it’s because this specific theater does things other NYC cinemas simply can’t match.
The Weird History of 247 West 42nd Street
Before it was a shiny Regal, this spot had a much darker soul. Back in the day, 42nd Street was the "Deuce"—a stretch of grindhouses, burlesque shows, and sketchy 24-hour theaters. Specifically, the Regal E-Walk (as many long-time New Yorkers still call it) sits roughly where the old Harem Theatre used to be. That place was a legendary porn house.
When the city decided to "clean up" Times Square in the late 90s, they didn't just paint over the grit; they built an entertainment fortress. The Regal opened in 1999 as part of the E-Walk complex. It was a symbol of the "New Times Square," trading out triple-X features for $15 popcorn and Disney premieres.
The design inside is sort of a fever dream. You’ve got retro-Art Deco vibes mixed with more neon than fifty pizza parlors combined. It feels like 1920s glamour met 1990s futurism and they had a very loud baby.
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Why This Specific Theater is a Tech Giant
Most people don't realize that Regal Times Square West 42nd Street New York NY is actually a testing ground for cinema technology. It isn't just "screens in a room."
- The 4DX Powerhouse: This is the first complex in North America to house two separate 4DX theaters. One of them is the largest of its kind in the world. We’re talking 296 seats that move, vibrate, and blast you with water.
- The Rainstorm Effect: This specific theater has 30 rainstorm fans. Fourteen of them are positioned directly over your head. If you’re watching a storm on screen, you aren't just seeing it; you're getting actually wet.
- ScreenX Immersivity: They have the 270-degree panoramic screens that wrap around the side walls. It’s wild. Your peripheral vision is completely filled with the movie.
If you're going to pay Manhattan prices for a ticket, you might as well go for the formats that make your seat kick you in the back when a car crashes on screen.
The Reality of the "Times Square Crowd"
Let’s be real for a second. If you go to a 10:20 PM showing of a blockbuster here, you are going to see some things. Because it’s right in the tourist heart of the city, the audience etiquette can be... unpredictable.
I’ve seen people fast asleep and snoring through a midnight showing of a horror movie. I’ve heard about arguments nearly breaking out because someone was being too loud. If you want a "silent as a tomb" experience where people only whisper, you might prefer the AMC Lincoln Square uptown.
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But if you want energy? This is the place. There’s something about a packed house in Times Square reacting to a huge Marvel reveal or a jump scare. It’s communal. It’s loud. It’s New York.
Pro Tips for Your Visit
Navigating this place requires a bit of strategy. First, the entrance is at 247 West 42nd Street. Don't confuse it with the AMC Empire 25 across the street. They are rivals, and once you walk into one, you’ll realize they have very different vibes.
Public Transit is King. Don't even think about driving. Just don't. You have the A, C, and E trains at Port Authority right there. The 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, and W trains all stop at the main Times Square-42nd St station. You can literally walk from the subway platform to the theater in under five minutes.
The Seating Situation.
The recliner seats here are actually great. They have those little rotating tables for your snacks, which is lucky because you'll need a place to put your $10 soda. The theaters are generally clean, even with the constant construction that seems to plague midtown Manhattan.
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The Price Factor. Surprisingly, tickets here can sometimes be cheaper than at the AMC across the street. While a premium IMAX ticket is always going to hurt your wallet, standard screenings are often around $18, which—for 42nd Street—is basically a bargain.
Actionable Insights for Moviegoers
If you’re planning a trip to Regal Times Square West 42nd Street New York NY, keep these three things in mind to actually enjoy yourself:
- Book 4DX for Blockbusters Only: Don't waste the upcharge on a romantic comedy. Use the 4DX tech for movies with flying, racing, or explosions. It’s a physical workout for your body.
- Arrive Early for Security: Times Square is high-security. Sometimes there are bag checks or just massive crowds to navigate before you even hit the escalator. Give yourself 20 minutes of "buffer time."
- The Late Night Magic: If you want a surreal experience, catch a movie that ends after midnight. Walking out of the theater into an (occasionally) empty Times Square is one of the few ways to feel like you’ve stepped into a movie yourself.
Skip the midday tourist rush if you can. Aim for a weekday matinee or a late-night weekend show for the best balance of "cool tech" and "not being trampled by a tour group."