I recently went to see "Wind River" there. I could hardly understand Jeremy Renner. My friend said the same thing. When I looked at the bulletin board where people rate the movies I saw some people said the same thing. I missed a lot of the movie. A week later I went to see it at another theater (because my husband wanted to see it) and I understood everything. As clear as can be. Management has to do something for better acoustics. I love this theater b/c of the independent and foreign films but this has to be addressed. What good is a movie if it's hard to understand??? read more

I grew up in Montclair, and being a cinephile, an after-high-school show was the first thing I'd do on a Friday afternoon. This is a theater that has six screens, none of which are too big. If I recall correctly, 2 is the biggest and I think the maximum occupancy was 150. 6 is the smallest and has about 50, so that's the range you're dealing with. As the other reviews state, this isn't for the IMAX crowd. They show art films about a week or two after they originally open in limited release in NY/LA--you can't beat that. Some of these movies don't make it to all 50 states, so if you're in the area consider yourself fortunate that you get to see these on the big screen at all. This is a perfect theater for dinner and a movie. There's a bareburger, a diner, an italian place, and plenty others within walking distance. It hasn't changed since I was in high school, in that regard. And that's the way it should be; it never needed changing in the first place. read more

Certainly appreciate the quality of movies shown and wish there were more theaters with options like this, something should be done. The odd angles of the screens, the cramped seating, the slow staff are all reasons to make the trek elsewhere to see great independent films. read more

The Claridge theater is a great and unique theater. Without this theater in Montclair, there would be no way to see any of the phenomenal indie films that are shown here. I've seen many of my favorite movies here, and hope that this place never closes as it would be very sorely missed. Coming here is so much easier than having to go into the city to see the types of films that are shown here. Although the seats are old I find the design of the seats makes it an enjoyable viewing from any seat. Did I mention they use REAL BUTTER not that nasty oil you find at most theaters! Hopefully myself and the other patrons will be enjoying the claridge for many years to come! read more

I can't express enough how much I love this place. It's the movie theater for people who want to/love to watch movies. It certainly doesn't attract the annoying teenagers you get in every other theater on a weekend night. They play independent films, including popular ones. All while giving you the atmosphere of a small, old fashioned movie watching experience. No massive screens. No stadium seating. Seats are super comfortable! This place makes me feel relaxed and able to enjoy the film. read more

The movies are great, but I'm disappointed with the staff/policies here. On a rare occasion, I left work early tonight and got to the theatre just past 8, hoping to catch the middle of some lovely movie. They wouldn't let me buy a ticket :( even though people were still inside working, and some movies had just started less than a half hour ago. It seems nearly impossible for a working professional to catch a show here on a weeknight :/ read more

It pains me to write this review. But it just must be said. I have lived in this town almost 20 years and have patronized movie theater various times over the past two decades. At one point my daughter even worked here as a teenager. I have to say it seems as if the quality of the theater has gone down. Hopefully today was just an off day. Let me explain to you what I mean. I came up to the window and the young man was professional enough. No real big smile or anything but professional and to the point. But when I pass through the doors on my way down the hallway to the movie theater it smelled as if there was mold, mildew, rain asbestos, damp carpet you name it the smell was there. It was musty, stuffy and just suffocating. As I approached my movie theater I noticed that there was an industrial-sized fan sitting on the floor. I guess the purpose was to blow the smell out but unfortunately all it did was blow the smell in customers face. Maybe they should have faced it in the other direction. It was horrible. I didn't go to the bathroom, I didn't buy anything from the concession stand so no comments there. But the smell was awful. You could even smell it slightly in the actual theater. Thank goodness the movie was so good it was a distraction. read more

I have gone to this theatre, and many others in the area, for decades. Tonight was the proverbial Final Straw that sent me to write a yelp review. We arrived and were informed at the ticket window that "there was no heat" in that theatre. This is the third time in 2 fall/winter seasons that this has happened. We checked the viewing room which didn't feel too cold (it's still mid October!). We asked about a discount for the ticket price and were told that wasn't possible. the "manager" was nowhere to be found. Here's the real problem: MANY of the seats are old, broken down, sunken in.If you have a neck or back problem, don't go. The movie viewing "rooms" (6) are TINY and if you don't get there early, your seat selection is VERY limited. Next: Women's bathroom: CHANGE THE HINGES!!!! The door opens OUT into the entryway and food counter so everyone is staring into the women's bathroom. It's ridiculous. Bottom Line: THE ONLY "ART HOUSE" CINEMA IN MONTCLAIR, NJ, IS OLD AND FALLING APART AND NEEDS TO BE RENOVATED! Remember, this is the home of the Montclair Film Festival. I try to avoid this cinema however it is the ONLY choice for art-house movies in or near Montclair. Shame on the owners/managers of the Bowtie Claridge Cinema on Bloomfield Ave, Montclair. read more

This is a nice little theatre which specializes in artsy type films. Relatively clean, with convenient parking nearby at The Crescent, and within easy walking distance of a good half-dozen restaurants. A great theatre for Date Night with your spouse. read more

This movie theater is great for indie movies without a doubt. It is clean and comfortable. Plus, the service is good and to watch a movie is enjoyable in this perfect setting. read more

Best movie theater by far in Nj, especially since it has the widest variety of independent, foreign, and documentary films on a consistent basis. The only theater which is a comparable theater in the NY metropolitan area is the Anglica film center. Note that Tuesday nights are real bargains and classic films are shown every weekend at 11 am. read more

Looking for a night out to watch some great underrated movies, this is the place to go. Awesome little movie theatre! Clean establishment with friendly service. read more

A great movie brought me here for the first time in years. $12 is a lot to pay for poor a/c and an ok theatre. It is is clean and comfortable enough but nothing special. The popcorn is mediocre, at best. If the butter is real, they need to invest in a higher quality brand. There was an ad on the film screen touting the fabulous popcorn. Meh. read more

The place for indie film in North Jersey - clean, comfortable with a friendly staff. Presentation has improved since Bow Tie took over and converted the theater to digital projection - they also have a "You Be the Critic" board which is always fun to look at after the show (especially if you see one of those kinds of movies where the audience is collectively scratching their heads saying WTF?). Good experience - the only stress factor is parking these days in Montclair center - the neighborhood is fantastic, full of great places to dine and shop and it seems more popular than ever (even on weekday nights!). The garage behind the theater can fill up (on a Tuesday we once had to park on the 4th floor) but if you plan accordingly you'll have a nice time. read more

Pluses: Good selection of independent films, friendly and helpful staff. Minuses: Parking is hard to find and the theaters are small, if you want to get a decent seat then plan on getting to the theater at least 45 minutes before your film begins. The theater is logistically disorganized, there are no set lines at the box office and picking up or buying tickets can become aggravating. It would be best to buy your tickets in advance on Fandango, or just look in advance on Fandango, to make sure that your movie isn't sold out. And one more thing, if you do buy your tickets in advance there is no ticket machine so you will have to go to the box office to pick up your tickets. Because they do not have enough staff to check tickets inside the theater you cannot print out your ticket at home and they do not have the ability to scan a QR code. read more

When anything other than blockbuster is released I go straight to the movie times at this theater. There is always something interesting to see and, as others have pointed out, they play movies that are only playing at NYC boutique cinemas. And there's a bunch of shopping and food right there. Love this place. read more

Sound system way too loud. If they keep the sound level that high it will accelerate deafness. It may already be too late, people's hearing is already degraded, maybe the reason for the sound level. Will never go there again. read more

This theatre does not have online ticket sales. I drove 30 minutes just to find a well printed sign that said the showing was Sold Out. Very disappointing. read more

Love this charming movie theatre in the heart of Montclair! It's reasonably priced, not over-crowded or obnoxiously loud, and they show great independent and foreign films. There's lots of delicious local restaurants and cafes that are walking distance from the theatre to check out before or after catching a movie here. Parking is the only downside, as it's almost impossible to find a parking spot without having to pay or walk several blocks. read more

This is not about the quality of the movies, nor the place itself; I have been going to this theater for more than 10 years; yesterday, the ticket lady was on the phone when I arrived; and I was totally ignored by the 2 gentlemen at the concession counter; I left them to their register and did not buy popcorn; Not a single one of them asked me how they could assist me while I stood there, obviously waiting; Customer service is important ; not just showing great movies read more

Such a cute theatre! Last night I went there for the first time, and I really enjoyed myself. Clean, and the employees were nice. The movie was good, too! read more