It used to be a movie-going rite of passage to sit down at the movie theater find one's feet planted in an adherent of perplexing origin. The Kent Theater in Brooklyn is far from the exception: it may very well be the nexus of movie theater gunk. The La Brea Tar Pits of Kings County movie-going. If you think you can't connect with the history in this place, it's probably stuck to your sneakers. Located on a wildly diverse stretch of land in Midwood called Coney Island Avenue, The Kent splits turf with, among other businesses, a kosher gym, roughly 5,000 hookah merchants and countless Judaica specialty shops. Try as they may, none of those other businesses possess the nostalgia invoking power of The Kent. The Kent harkens back to an earlier time in pre-Giuliani New York when ramshackle movie houses thrived under the lax quality of life stewardship of Mayors Lindsay, Koch and Dinkins. In 1994, hellbent on diluting the character of New York, which was intrinsically tied to filthy movie theaters patronized by unshaven perverts in ratty trench coats (RIP Grandpa), newly elected Mayor Giuliani embarked on a crusade to rid New York of so-called "smut." Clusters of New York's seedy celluloid castles were shuttered by way of city ordinance, leaving their dark princes dethroned and without a kingdom in which they could wave their mighty staffs beneath soiled London Fog robes. In place of the theaters, businesses of the kid-friendly variety were erected in homage to the new prince of 42nd Street: Mickey Mouse. "Disneyfication" became a zeitgeist term to describe the cleansing of Manhattan's red light district by way of Buena Vista. A beaming Mayor Giuliani touted the arrival of the city's renaissance when in reality, he did little more than replace homegrown porn palaces with Mickey's mouse droppings. And that was it. In one fell swoop, a piece of the Manhattan I knew was gone forever, doomed into extinction by an imp with a bully pulpit. Dirty theaters vanished from the New York landscape because the city's democratically elected custodian felt morally compelled absolve our sins and rescue us from vice. And who better to cleanse our tarnished souls than Giuliani, a man who: 1) Was married to his second cousin for 14 years. 2) Gave a key to the city to a young Yankees fan who interfered in a playoff game, costing the Baltimore Orioles their only legitimate shot at not sucking in a very long time. 3) Ignored a law barring public officials from receiving gifts in excess of $50 when he accepted 4 world series rings, collectively valued at $200,000, from the Yankees organization. But what does any of this have to do with the Kent? While the Kent is certainly not a "dirty theater" it's a dirty theater. It's a "dirty theater's" more well-behaved cousin but with a comparably alarming level of structural disrepair. It maintains no vestige of its former greatness; I'm pretty sure it always looked like a dingy flophouse. What does The Kent have to offer? It gives people an affordable option in the face of skyrocketing inflation, growing unemployment and a misconception that the movie-going public needs to shell out 15 bucks a head to enjoy superfluous technological amenities like surround sound, 3D and IMAX. Have I mentioned the popcorn? It's cheap, too. And it will kill you no faster than the same popcorn at the IMAX that's burning a hole in your stomach AND your pocket. My only requirement to enjoy a movie is that it be screened in a dark room, surrounded by strangers--and by strangers, I do not mean bedbugs, a species that seems to fancy the bluer blooded clientele at more expensive theaters. I'm perfectly content with The Kent. Unfortunately, it's a dying breed. See it while you can still see it. read more

Avoid at all costs! My bf found a livingsocial deal advertising 2 for $10 tickets and since I wanted to go see Neighbors (don't judge), we bit the bullet and bought them. Cary C. warned us that Kent Theatre is the place where movies go to die and he was right. We get there at around 5pm, there was no one in line- the guy at the ticket booth was on his phone and took his sweet time with the transaction. It took him about 12 minutes to get his shi*t together and by that time, a long line has formed behind us. We get to the lobby and past the stand where the ticket taker is supposed to be but no one is there except for the concessions people (who were flirting with some weird kid at the counter). One of the girls at the popcorn area told us to stay in the lobby without telling us why so I asked her and she said that the theatre was still being cleaned. Fine, whatevs, we wait in the lobby. At five minutes til showtime, we get ushered into the theatre and this place is so dank and depressing. I noticed that it hasn't been cleaned at all as evidenced by the cups and garbage on the floor. They have level seating like the Angelika but without the cool history. Finally the trailers/ads start and the coup de grace- THE EFFIN TINY SCREEN. For real, my tv at home was bigger than this joke. You get what you pay for. You have been warned. P.S. When you check-in thru yelp they're supposed to give you free popcorn. The people at the concession stand told us they've never heard of yelp. Hahahha, this place is so backwards. read more

Movie theaters in Brooklyn have become a rarity. A good majority of them closed their doors back in the late 90s. For the most part to see a lot of the big budget films today you'd have to hop a train to one of the AMCs in Manhattan or one of those mall sized multiplexes off the Belt Parkway. The Kent is really one of the few survivors of nostalgia. Having only 3 screens they do play current releases. I was here with my mom just the other week to catch The Hobbit. First do know that this place is CASH ONLY but the girl at the ticket counter will direct you to an ATM down the street if you forget to carry some. After you buy your ticket you have to wait inside before another person takes your ticket and lets you in. Those who are expecting to get there half an hour early and watch those movie previews that the fancy AMC theaters have will be a bit disappointed. The theaters themselves are pretty crappy. Floors are always a little sticky and the screen isn't big but you don't come here expecting IMAX. You're here because tickets are $7 and that's the price you're willing to pay to see a movie. The theater shows it's age but it's nice to see a film in a local place that's still community friendly. read more

Wow. People seemed nice. Staff were friendly. Ok. That's it for the good part of the review. The place is really pretty filthy. I would hate to see it with the lights on. Floor super sticky. Like a roach motel. The single grossest thing I saw were the booster seats against the wall that I guess your meant to put your children in. They were filthy. I would sooner offer my children up for clinical trials or medical experimentation. Did I mention that the staff were friendly. They were. Seemed like nice people. Last movie I saw there before today was Platoon. Nothing wrong with this place that a little napalm could not cure. read more

Before anything else, this place is cool! It is located on Coney Island ave (do not expect to find parking during the day), and run by teenagers. I went there last week for the first time. And even that I didn't have the best experience, I will go there again. We went to the 9:15 show, and we had only 3 more people with us during the movie. Good popcorn and quick in and out. You don't need more to go not a movie. read more

It's good little community theater been there for ages enjoyed few movies there while growing up in the neighborhood $5 bucks on wednesdays not bad read more

Save your money! This theater is horrible. My bf and I went to see Avengers that was supposed to start at 12pm, however we weren't let inside until after 12:15 because there was a party going on. Instead of the so-called manager making an announcement he just had people standing around wondering what was going on. After being let in there was no apology, he was rude and not respectful of our time nor money. Then he decides to skip playing the previews and jumped right into the opening scene. The theater was horribly dirty, the floors sticky and the lighting something out of the 1900's. I will never return here! I rather pay $15 a ticket or wait for it to come out on firestick! read more

Wow three stars. Holy fucking shit! This place has turned into what used to be the Canarsie Movie Theater and The Kings Highway Movie Theater. If you know what happened to those, I don't imagine this place's fate is far behind. Sticky floors. Small and uncomfortable theaters. I get it, it's cheap and that is what you are paying for. I know places that are well priced and and 500% better. It's honestly a dump. You can do the Pavilion... and the Pavilion is in pretty bad shape these days. read more

This place is 4 blocks from where i live, so i decided to go and watch a movie last weekend. The good: no line, you basically have the whole theater for yourself. And the prices ;) The bad: The people who work there are kids, that just prefer to use their phone instead of doing their job. Try it if you live near by, nothing more... read more

Kent Theater is run down, run through... but you get what you pay for. I always get Kent Theater deals on Groupon.com and save it till something comes out that I want to see. I buy the $8.50 movie package which includes my movie ticket, a medium popcorn and a medium soda. If you want to pay extra for fancy fluff then you can always go to a movie theater in midtown that will charge you $15 per ticket. The seats are a little small but I'll squeeze my ass in them for the price. read more

I'm not sure what the hell these people are talking about in the bad reviews. I didn't experience any of that. The floors or carpet were not sticky in the least bit. The seats were just fine. None were broken or hard. Nothing smelled. The theater was actually quite clean as well as the other things I saw. They had some cool arcade games in the lobby as well. I liked the fact that they had local teens working there. Concession stand look neat and clean. The actual theater was small, but intimate. The screen was the perfect size for the room. There were only 12 people total in there for the whole movie, so it was intimate and less people to irritate you. My one and only gripe was that I felt the sound could be just a tad bit louder. It was not a problem hearing the movie at all, just needed to be louder to drown out people taking or crunching on popcorn. I felt like I heard every single movement or conversation outside the film. Maybe people are just snobs, but this place is just fine. I liked it. I'd much rather come here and pay a reasonable price for a movie rather than pay $30 for 2 people at a fancy theater. I was expecting so much worse based on what I read here. read more

I am in conflict due to me being able to redeem a free all popcorn. I hate to sound like I can easily be brought especially for something like a small popcorn. On the other hand for what they charge for a small popcorn Sally Struthers could feed a village of Darfur child solders for a year. Anyhow not to excited about this theater. Pay half price on Sat. mornings and Wednesday. No pets allowed as the theater has it's own. read more

The guy in front of me got the online ticket or groupon thing. It took the cashier forever to check on his ticket. (｀´) It was dark. My hand touched the seat handle to make sure I sit comfortably. Then I touched something sticky..probably gum （ﾟﾟlll） Then the smell. The smell is a mixture of popcorn and public restroom. （；￣ェ￣） The kid behind me kept shanking my seat. Their parents talked and commented during the movie. (¬_¬) That's it. read more

If you'r a BIG & TALL guy like me please don't do it to yourself. The seat and leg room was the smallest think i sit in in years.. NEVER AGAIN read more

Let's be frank, the Kent Theater probably has more health inspection violations than every other movie house in NYC combined, and will probably disintegrate into dust if a small child sneezes nearby. But like many things in life, nothing is totally black or white. The first time I went to the Kent Theater was to see Stallone's latest Rambo flick, a throwback to the '80s action schlock he helped define. It was low end. It was awfully bad, yet somehow intriguing. It was comedic in a totally non-intentional way. Kent Theater can also be described as such. Bad x Bad= Rollicking good time. Oh yes, every Wed is $5 movie night. FIVE BUCKS! Surely stick floors and asbestos poisoning is worth half-price entry. read more

I went here last week. It honestly wasn't as bad as I was expecting. The screen was bigger than the smaller screens in the Pavillion and the bathroom was clean. Not to mention the prices are amazing. There was a bit of an issue at the box office. I handed the groupon I was using to the employee and he told me to stand to the side while he helped the next person in line (after taking my groupon but not giving me my ticket). Apparently there was an issue as he was helping the next person so he went to get another employee who proceeded to help her. After a few minutes I realized they had forgotten about me and were not going to get back to me after asking me to wait to the side. Meanwhile, a new line was forming. It was a pretty awkward situation because I didn't want to seem like I was cutting the line (even though I had already given them my groupon and was told they would help me in a moment) so I ended up waiting in the back of the line again. The new ticket employee was very nice though. Overall, I would return but they need to be more organized at the box office. I was also a bit annoyed that they let two kids under six (a three year old and a five year old--those were their exact ages as their mother told the box office) into an R-rated film at 7:30pm. read more

This was the first movie theater I went to, ah yes back in '97 I saw Fools Rush In with Salma Hayek and MAtthew Perry and then later that year I saw Titanic The theater had $5 wednesdays even way back then, the floor was just as sticky. It was the movie theater you could go to without being carded for a Rated R movie. I heard they used to play indian movies back in the day but im not sure The screens are small because they took a screening room and cut it into two. If it is impressing someone you dont take them here. If its watching the latest movie because you have to see it, then be my guest this is the place for you. Personally I havent been here since 2002- What Women Want and not much has changed I doubt anything since then has read more

Not bad, not bad. We could hear the other movie playing from the theater next door. The food is really good!! $5 Wednesdays, can't complain. My date didn't like the seats, because some were dingy, but I would go back again. We found two special leather seats (hopefully faux leather) See you again, Kent! read more

I have been going to the Kent for the past 10 years, and YES it does have sticky floors and the seats are not the most modern/cushioned, but it does have its own charm, I have held many a kids birthday party here. The prices are cheap, when I go to other theaters I always "bring in" my own treats but when I come here I always buy from their concession to make sure that the theater gets my money and not the local deli. When you are going with your kids and their friends, it starts to mount up in price. We walk here so saves on bus/subway and the staff are so friendly. Big theater chains are a dime a dozen -- its got Brooklyn charm! Staff know me and my kids and always look out for us. As a matter of fact I am going tonight to $5 Wednesday! BEST BARGAIN IN TOWN!! read more

The Kent is an old time neighborhood theater that gives you everything you need to see a movie without nickel and diming you like the major chains (like AMC and Regal/UA) While the chains up charge you for everything and anything (stadium seats, etc) the Kent gives you an honest value. Of the three small cinemas at the Kent (once a rather small single theater) the smallest (#3) has like 70 seats, yet the experience was no less satisfying than one of the small cinemas at the more pricey UA. The staff was friendlier at the Kent that at those big multiplexes and the concession stand, while small had enough munchies for the average theater goer who doesn't need a full meal while watching the movie. The Kent certainly is a cinema treasure. With it's rather antique art deco interior, it is indeed a survivor as one of the few neighborhood theaters left. I like these old school theaters. Reasonable prices without annoying up charges. (3D does cost more as it does everywhere...but it's still a bargain at $11 daily / $7.50 Wed) The Kent is my go to place for movies. read more

I was expecting to read less average reviews about Kent Theater. It is a hit or a miss, And I am not sure if for me it was a hit or a miss, so I will stay with 3 stars (Which should be 2.5). Prices: $11 for the premier of Captain America. Large popcorn+large coke+Twizzlers and candies, $17! It is Pepsi and cot coke. The movie was on room #1, which I think is the biggest one. 3D in great quality, could do better with the sound system. The movie supposed to start at 10, it started at 10:30. What a time wast. People started to get uncomfortable and started screaming. It was bizarre lol read more

Very little movies playing, sticky floors, run down. I have been here twice and it was no different than the first time. Also, the room I was in the seating was at a very low slope. I think it is time for them to renovate. read more

Went last night to see Avengers Endgame. Pissed I had 5 kids with me so the cashier talked me into a $16 refillable popcorn. The movie was 3 hrs long. It was supposed to start at 9:30pm it didnt start till 10:50. Then you could tell they tried to cut into the 20 mins and fucked up the beginning of the movie. Half way through the movie I go to get th refill I paid for that the cashier talked me into and the concession stand was closed so we had to go and hr and a half dry mouthed and parched. The theater was falling apart I was afraid to sit by the wall for fear something might crawl on me. The floor was sticky. The bathroom was filthy. One worker apologized for the inconvenience but that dont stop 5 kids from complaining about being thirsty for 90 minutes read more

For the price I have no problem. Not as nice a thatre/small screen as other places, but then again, I am not paying over $50 to see a movie with my kids. That's a big bonus! read more

This place is creepy. I have been dying to come here, but I hate movie theaters. Pretty skeevy, bathrooms are worst than gas stations....yet super cheap and fun. #gofigure #tryitbutuhavebeenwarned read more

I choose the Kent theater when I don't want to pay full price for a movie that I'm on the fence about and when I don't care about atmosphere. If you're picky, or looking for a mind blowing movie experience, don't bother. They usually have an acceptable selection of current mainstream films. You will generally have your choice of seats even for the most popular films. But BEWARE, this place is totally filthy. Don't come here on a date, don't bring anyone that you want to impress. No big screens or fancy stadium seating. read more

I can truly say this with all my heart.... this place is terrible. This theater is the reason I go to either the Pavilion or Sheepshead Bay. It's horrid, over-priced and the movies are limited. I've been there several times and the only thing that I can say that is positive is that the movie is OK. If you go there in the morning, you have to wait 2 hours for the movie to start. That's not a good sign. They give you these very small bags of popcorn and Pepsi. Then 45 minutes into your wait, you go up to the counter and you order. The food is the only other good thing about the Kent. And even that is somewhat flawed. There are mice and rats in there and I even saw a bedbug nest on the ceiling. I heard confirmation almost every time I went that it is true. Of course, not from the managers. Speaking of the managers, has anyone even met them? I've been there at least 30 times over 2 years. Not once have I seen even a glimpse of any of the owners and/or managers. I come in with lower exceptions and I leave wanting both my time and money back. A word of advice to anyone who comes across the Kent: unless you're looking for overpriced food, unsanitary theaters and long waiting time for movies that have poor quality, I would advise anyone to stay far away from this theater. read more

The prices are cheap. I love the $4.50 Matinee, But ,you get what you pay for. The place smells of mold, I tell fortunes by staring at all the gum marks on the floor and having visions. I wouldn't order a consession there if you paid me. read more

I now get why the reviews are so all over the place. They get 5 stars for the fact that it's an old school theatre that's in the neighborhood and provides access to the movies at a price that can not be beat (great for families and the budget conscious). Everyone is really nice. It is also true that it is super old and dirty and moldy and smelly. And the screens are tiny. So 1 star on that... put the two extremes together...3 stars. They had seats for Black Panther and despite the environment, we enjoyed ourselves and had a nice time. read more

I used to go to those big movies theaters and spent a LOT of money on tickets plus food. Once you have kids and YOU are responsible to pay for food, rent, medical, pets, utilities and don't live at mommys home etc You start to look around for savings. Well, Kent theatre is a gem. Reasonably priced tickets and food. Old fashioned clean movie. Believe me, if you are a family of 5, 6 YOU WILL BE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY IN ANOTHER PLACE. If you are on a date to impress, then that's another story read more

We had to wait ten minutes for someone to sell us tickets and the girl behind the counter is just staring instead of saying someone will be with you in a minute. After we get our tickets we wait to be let pass the ropes and the same no class girl says have a seat y'all movie don't start till 2:30 mind you its 2:00. So what if the kids wanted to play games or we wanted popcorn. I will never ever recommend that place to anyone. And if the tickets weren't free through groupon I wouldn't have went anyway. read more

Kent Theatre - Empty but still can't be let pass the ropes. - Cinema Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Pros: If you live in the neighborhood and the convenience of walking to a theater is the most important thing to you then go to the Kent. Cons: Depressing atmosphere. The marquis out front has no sign. It always looks closed even when open. The theaters are very narrow and long with small screens. It feels like you are entering a black hallway and the end of it is a small screen. Depressing bright white fluorescent lights (think gas station) in the theaters and common areas. The biggest disappointment was the technical quality of the film we just saw, Mary Poppins Returns on Christmas Day. What would have been an otherwise really great movie, instead there was an entire soundtrack missing. We heard the beautiful voices of the actors, but it was as though they were singing without the accompaniment of the musical track. There were faint sounds of orchestra music very low but clearly something was wrong. Either the theater had a damaged digital copy, or it was a poorly forged copy, or their sound equipment was damaged and it did not pick up all the tracks. We would only return to this theater under rare circumstances. read more

Terrible experience all around. Bought a groupon and went with my sister and 6 year old niece just yesterday... and let me say this: NEVER AGAIN. Piss off # 1: Movie was set to begin at 3:15 pm. We get there with plenty of time so we can look for parking, since parking is a serious bitch on Coney Island Avenue. No one at the ticket booth. We wait in the cold for someone to show up. We wait some more. Eventually, I go in and leave my sister on line to check inside. Maybe we missed something? Nope. But the lady at the concession stand was nice enough to tell me that no one was there yet (No shit) and to wait. I told her it wasn't cool to leave people waiting out in the cold. She says we can come inside... Uh, no bitch. I come inside, then I won't be the first in line when somebody decides to show up and I'll end up waiting even longer in the back. Piss off # 2: Remember when I mentioned the movie starts are 3:15? Well it's 3:14, and no one is there to sell us our tickets yet. Piss off # 3: When someone finally gets up off their ass to sell tickets, it's at least 3:20pm. And then he's slow as all hell. Piss off # 4: Think I witnessed the second coming of Jesus Christ while I waited for idiots to give some service at the concession stand. Piss off # 5: Waited about 15 minutes for the pretzel bites to be ready. And when they were, there was only enough for 1. My sister couldn't get any. All that waiting, and you only made enough for one person? Seriously? Piss off # 6: The popcorn was atrocious. Didn't know it was possible for theater popcorn to be so nasty. Piss off # 7: The bathroom was absolutely repulsive. My feet were sticking to the floor. To be quite honest, I'd rather pay $13-$15 elsewhere to get proper service and cleaner facilities. At least I won't have to worry about something crawling up my butt. Kent couldn't pay me to ever go back. read more

They've made some upgrades to the theater. Haven't been there in a while but going back was a pleasant experience. Cheap theater so you get what you pay for. Sound and picture not the greatest and theater not the cleanest but for the price on $5 Wednesday's and the convenience if you're in Brooklyn, it's well worth it. They don't care much if you bring food and drinks in which is a plus. read more

I can't believe this theater is still open. The only thing that keeps this keeps this place going is that one day during the week they offer discount tickets and big groups come here. Ariela is right this is only theater worse than the movie theater at Kings Plaza. This place hasn't be remodeled in decades. The chairs are down the last spring and the floors are sticky it's like someone threw crazy glue all over them. Totally disgusting. It's theaters like this they I usually go in the city to see a movie nowadays. read more

OMG run for your life!!!!! If you want to share your popcorn with mice(and lot of them) DO NOT GOT TO THIS THEATER!!!!!! The food sucked too everything was stale!!! Got this on a Groupon so you get what u pay for!!!!!! read more

This is the worst experience I've ever had watching a movie. We bought the coupon on Living Social and went, hoping for the best. The place is a literal dump and smelled like someone had taken one. No joke. We held our noses through X-Men and ran out at the end; never to return! read more

BED BUG ALERT... Every one should know that I went to the movies on Sunday only to leave with my arm bitten up and swollen and itchy. Only to find out that kent triplex on coney island has a bed bug infestation. Management was not very professional and acted as if I was telling a lie. Even with the swollen hand and itchy red blotches on my skin. My advice to all.STAY AWAY FROM THAT KENT TRIPLEX ON CONEY ISLAND. BED BUG ALERT!!!!!!!#! STAY AWAY FROM THAT DUMP!!!!!!! read more

I was here, and the tickets werent highly priced....when you go to see a movie with family of four,, it adds up....food was decently priced.. Yeah the place isnt the best, but i would rather have Kent the way it is, than some super fixed up place with $12 tickets+, and overpriced food....excellent place to go for a budget minded person... Ok so you wanna bang a chick and impress her...this isnt the place.. read more

great neighborhood location! watched a movie the other day and it was nice and cozy! its a small place whith only 3 theaters! had a good time watching the movie revenant! prices were great too!!! read more

Kent Theatre - Cinema Near Me - Brooklyn, New York