Kid Flicks: 5 Family-Friendly Movie Theaters

The start of the year marks the beginning of award-winning movie debuts and stellar performances, as voting season for the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards is on the horizon. If you think your film-going days are a thing of the past now that you have kids, think again. There are plenty of theaters in L.A. where babies and kiddos are welcome at special show times arranged just for moms and dads. And if you have older children who you’d like to venture out with to catch a flick, here we suggest some of the most iconic big-screen locales in Tinseltown and vicinity to visit for a historical and charming experience. Whether you want to see a current film, a beloved animated film from your childhood, or a larger than life IMAX film, we’ve got the big picture for you right here. Just add popcorn!

Monday Morning Mommy Movies at Pacific Theater Locations
Pacific Theaters offers Monday Morning Mommy Movies at several of their locations. Parents can catch a current film at 11:00 am on Monday mornings with their infants in tow. Perfect, especially if it’s your wee one’s nap time, and she isn’t a light sleeper! But even if your babe stirs and cries, it’s to be expected and accepted at these showings. The following Pacific Theaters in the LA area offer Monday Morning Mommy Movies:

Culver Stadium 12
9500 Culver Boulevard
Culver City, Ca
310-360-9565

Pacific Theatres at the Grove
189 The Grove Drive
Los Angeles, Ca
323-692-0829

Glendale 18
322 Americana Way
Glendale, Ca
866-722-9790

Northridge Fashion Center 10
9400 Shirley Way
Northridge, Ca
818-501-5121

Online: pacifictheatres.com

El Capitan Theater
Ready to introduce your tot to the magic of movies in a kid-friendly setting? El Capitan Theater is just the ticket. Dubbed “Hollywood’s First Home of Spoken Drama,” this theater opened in 1926. The elegant movie house, which features a Spanish Colonial exterior and a vibrant East Indian interior, has received a museum grade renovation since its early days, including restoring the stage to its original 1926 legitimate theater dimensions. It now boasts state of the art special effects, 1,000 seats, and a Dolby SR-D audio system. The best part of all however, is that the movies that grace the screen at El Capitan will be adored by kids and parents alike. January 11- February 7, Peter Pan is playing. Then Mulan will steal the show from February 8- March 6.

6838 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, Ca
818-845-3110
Online: elcapitan.go.com

Grauman’s Chinese Theater
Quite possibly the most famous movie theater in the world, Grauman’s Chinese Theater is a magical place to take older tykes to see a movie and to expose them to a slice of Hollywood history. Sit in seats that have been graced by the greatest movies stars of all time, from yesteryear and today. This locale has been celebrity laden since 1927, featuring the immortalized in cement handprints and footprints of Hollywood’s elite — and where stars are granted their space on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Seeing a movie at the Chinese Theater would be unlike any other movie-going experience, and kids will always remember it.

6801 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, Ca
323-461-3331
Online: chinesetheatres.com

California Science Center
Boasting the largest IMAX screen in Los Angeles: seven stories high, take the kiddos to see an IMAX film at the California Science Center for a mind-blowing cinematic experience. Current features kids will enjoy include To the Arctic 3D and Blue Planet. Prices for non-members of the museum: Adults: $8.25, Children 4-12: $5, Seniors over 60: $6.

700 Exposition Park Drive
Los Angeles, Ca
323-724-3623
Online: californiasciencecenter.org

Los Feliz 3 Cinema
Parents with children under age 4 may take advantage of Wednesday morning Mommy and Me matinees. Current movies being shown at Los Feliz Cinema 3 are screened at 10:30 am on Wednesday mornings. Visit their website for film schedule.

1822 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, Ca
323-664-2169
Online: vintagecinemas.com

Where is your kiddo’s favorite spot to catch a flick?

— Beth Shea

photo credit: Kendo U. via yelp, Tiffany O. via yelp, James K. via yelp, & Ahm M. via yelp