Honestly, trying to catch a flick in Sioux City lately feels like a bit of a moving target. You’ve probably noticed that the landscape has shifted quite a bit, and if you’re looking for Sioux City movie theater showtimes, the options aren't quite what they used to be a couple of years ago.
It's kinda frustrating. One minute you're planning a date night at the Promenade, and the next, the doors are locked due to a messy legal battle between the landlord and the operators. As of January 2026, if you want the big-screen experience without driving out to Sioux Falls or Omaha, you're basically looking at one primary heavy hitter in town and a few interesting alternatives just across the border.
The Big Player: AMC Southern Hills 12
If you want the standard blockbuster experience—think Avatar: Fire and Ash or the latest Marvel sequel—AMC Southern Hills 12 is pretty much the go-to. It’s located right on Sergeant Road, and they’ve definitely leaned into the "luxury" pivot to keep people coming back.
The showtimes here are consistent, but they fill up fast for the "Event" screenings. Right now, there’s a massive resurgence of interest in classics; for example, they’ve been running the Lord of the Rings trilogy as a "2026 Event." Watching Return of the King on a screen that large is still better than any home setup.
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The amenities are what you'd expect from a modern AMC:
- Heated Signature Recliners: These are a game-changer in a South Dakota/Iowa winter.
- MacGuffins Bar: You can actually grab a cocktail or a beer to take into the theater.
- Discount Tuesdays: This is still a thing. If you’re a Stubs member, tickets are usually 50% off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The matinee pricing is another solid hack. If you can make it to a show before 4:00 PM, tickets are typically 20% off. It makes a huge difference if you’re taking a whole family to see Zootopia 2 or The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants.
What’s Playing Right Now?
The lineup is a mix of the massive hits and some surprisingly gritty horror. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has been drawing big crowds, and the showtimes usually run late into the night—often with the last screening starting around 10:15 PM. For the family crowd, Madagascar: 20th Anniversary screenings have been popping up in the mid-day slots.
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The Drama at the Promenade
We have to talk about the elephant in the room: the ACX Promenade Cinema 14. It’s sitting there in downtown Sioux City on 4th Street, but as of early 2026, the lights are mostly off.
It’s a bummer because that theater was a huge part of the downtown vibe. The situation is basically a standoff. The landlord took possession of the building back in late 2025 over unpaid rent, and now there are lawsuits flying back and forth. You might still see the website up, but if you go to check the Sioux City movie theater showtimes for the Promenade, the page is just blank.
Don't be fooled by third-party ticket sites that might still list it; always check if they actually have times listed for the current day before you drive down there.
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Worth the Short Drive? The "Hidden" Gems
Since Sioux City's options are a bit thin, a lot of locals have started heading just outside city limits.
If you're willing to drive about 40 minutes, the Coyote Twin Theater in Vermillion, SD is actually a really cool alternative. It's a non-profit theater, which sounds like it might be "budget," but they actually have great laser projectors now. They do $7 tickets on Thursday nights, which includes popcorn. You can't even get a soda for $7 at most big-chain theaters these days.
Then there's the Riviera Theatre in Emmetsburg. It’s a bit further, but they do these awesome "'80s Movie Nights" on the second Thursday of every month. It’s sponsored by the local credit union and has a much more community, "old-school" feel than the corporate vibes at the mall.
Expert Tip for Finding Times
Most people just Google the movie name, but that often gives you outdated data or theaters that are 50 miles away. Honestly, the most reliable way to get Sioux City movie theater showtimes right now is to use the AMC app directly for Southern Hills, or check the individual Facebook pages for the smaller theaters like Coyote Twin. Those small-town spots update their social media way faster than their websites.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Movie Night
- Join the AMC Stubs program (the free version): It's worth it just for the Discount Tuesday/Wednesday pricing.
- Book the "Event" screenings early: Stuff like the Lord of the Rings re-releases or the Madagascar anniversary shows sell out the recliner seats days in advance.
- Check the "Thrills & Chills" schedule: AMC does these specific horror blocks (like for Primate or 28 Years Later) that often have unique showtimes not advertised on the main marquee.
- Avoid the Promenade for now: Until the legal dust settles, don't rely on any "scheduled" times you see for the downtown location.
If you’re heading to the mall, remember that the trailers usually run for about 20 to 25 minutes. If your showtime says 7:00 PM, the actual movie isn't starting until 7:25 PM. Use that time to hit the MacGuffins bar or navigate the Coca-Cola Freestyle machine.