Walk down 58th Street in Manhattan and you'll see it. The marquee. It doesn't look like the megaplexes in Times Square. It shouldn't. The Paris Theater is a relic, but honestly, it’s a survivor. For years, people associated this spot with City Cinemas, the brand that kept the lights on when indie film felt like it was dying. Then things changed. Netflix stepped in. Now, it’s this weird, beautiful hybrid of old-school glamour and tech-giant backing.
Most people think movie theaters are finished. They aren't. Not if they have a soul. The City Cinemas Paris Theater New York story is basically a masterclass in how to stay relevant when the world moves to streaming.
The Weird History of a Manhattan Icon
The Paris Theater opened in 1948. Marlene Dietrich cut the ribbon. Can you imagine that? It was a high-society event. For decades, it was the place to see French films and high-brow international cinema. It only has one screen. Just one. In a world of 20-screen multiplexes with sticky floors and lukewarm popcorn, the Paris felt like a living room for the elite.
City Cinemas operated it for a long time. They were the gatekeepers of art-house cool in New York. If a movie was subtitled and meaningful, it played there. But the economics of single-screen theaters in New York City are brutal. Rent is high. Maintenance on a historic building is a nightmare. By 2019, the doors almost closed for good. People were devastated. It felt like the end of an era for New York film culture.
Then Netflix did something nobody expected. They signed a lease.
Wait, why would a streaming company want a physical theater? Because they needed a home. They needed a place to screen their prestige films like The Irishman or Marriage Story to qualify for Oscars. But more than that, they wanted the prestige. They wanted the history. They kept the name. They kept the vibe. They just gave it a massive facelift and a better sound system.
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What Actually Happened to City Cinemas?
City Cinemas was part of Reading International. They had a bunch of spots—the Angelika, the East 86th Street Cinema, the Beekman. They were the backbone of the "neighborhood theater" vibe. But the industry shifted.
Small theaters started getting squeezed. You've probably noticed it in your own city. Big chains like AMC and Regal took over the blockbusters, and the indies struggled to pay the bills. When the Paris lease ended in 2019, City Cinemas stepped away. It wasn't a failure of vision; it was just the reality of the New York real estate market.
Honestly, the transition was lucky. Usually, when a theater closes in Manhattan, it becomes a luxury condo or a drug store. The Paris survived because it was too iconic to fail. It’s now the longest-running premiere movie house in the United States. That's a huge deal.
The Netflix Era and 70mm Film
If you go there now, it’s different but familiar. Netflix invested heavily in the tech. They installed a 70mm projector. That's a big deal for cinephiles. Most theaters are digital now. Digital is fine, but 70mm has a texture and a depth that you just can't replicate on a TV.
They do these "Deep Focus" series now. They bring in directors like Guillermo del Toro or Greta Gerwig to talk about films. It’s not just about watching a movie; it’s about the culture. They’ve turned a single-screen theater into a destination.
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Why You Should Care About Single-Screen Theaters
Efficiency is boring. Seeing a movie in a room with 500 people who all gasp at the same time? That’s why the City Cinemas Paris Theater New York legacy lives on. It proves that there is a market for the "event" of cinema.
- The Sound: They upgraded to Dolby Atmos. It’s immersive.
- The Seating: It’s still blue velvet. It still feels fancy.
- The Programming: They play things you won't see anywhere else, including rare 35mm prints.
The Paris isn't just a building. It's a statement. It says that movies deserve a temple. Even if that temple is owned by a company that wants you to watch movies on your phone, they clearly recognize that the big screen is the gold standard.
The Reality of Seeing a Movie in Midtown
Let’s talk about the practical stuff. Is it expensive? Yeah, it’s New York. But it’s not much more than a ticket at a generic AMC. And you're right across from the Plaza Hotel. You're near Central Park. It’s a whole vibe.
One thing people get wrong is thinking it’s only for "snobs." It’s not. They show everything from weird documentaries to the latest big-budget Netflix original. They even have a concession stand that's surprisingly decent. No, they don't have those giant nacho cheese dispensers, but the popcorn is actually good.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit
If you’re planning to go, don't just show up and hope for the best.
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- Check the format. See if they are running a 70mm print. It’s worth the extra effort.
- Arrive early. The lobby is small. It gets crowded. But the architecture is worth looking at.
- Look at the schedule. They do limited runs. Sometimes a movie is only there for a week before it disappears into the streaming void.
The Paris Theater survived the pandemic. It survived the rise of streaming. It survived the departure of City Cinemas. It's still here because New Yorkers—and film lovers in general—refuse to let it die.
Practical Next Steps for Film Enthusiasts
If you want to support this kind of cinema, stop waiting for things to hit your "Watch List."
Go to the Paris Theater website and sign up for their newsletter. They announce their repertory screenings there first. These often sell out because the theater only has about 500 seats.
Follow the Paris Theater on social media for "secret" screenings or Q&A sessions. Often, directors will show up unannounced if they are in town.
Support other remaining indie houses. If you like the vibe of what City Cinemas tried to do, check out the Angelika Film Center or Film Forum. Each has a different flavor, but they all share that same DNA of loving film for the sake of film.
Book a "double feature" day. Spend the morning at MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art) looking at their film collection, then walk over to the Paris for an evening screening. It’s the best way to experience the cinematic history of New York in a single afternoon.
Check the 70mm schedule specifically. Watching a classic like 2001: A Space Odyssey or a modern masterpiece like Oppenheimer on film at the Paris is a transformative experience that no home theater system, no matter how expensive, can actually replicate.