I attended a movie premiere here at the Pickwick Theater located at in Park Ridge. You can tell from the outside of the theater that it has been around for some years. The building is a guaranteed landmark with great history. Once inside it looked more ancient, very old and dull looking. The theater is spacious and have lots of seating space. Seats were comfortable and movie screen clear to watch. Street parking is limited but there is free parking behind the theater and across the street from the theater. read more

See all

Love supporting this historic theatre. Featured in Blues Brothers and Shake It Up. A chicago area staple. They do lots of things the old fashioned way. Popcorn is overpriced and so is candy but the historic vibes in the main theatre are awesome. read more

Pickwick Theater - Cinema Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

See all

Comfy, beautiful, great staff, loved the more intimate setting, even for a Marvel movie. I'll be back.

There was a time of elegance and beauty. A golden era when our kind wished to be surrounded in beauty and art. An age of movie palaces. Yes, can you imagine it? A time before the pushing of a nothing aesthetic - like that of the communist mentality. Look at our cars in the 40's and 50's vs. today. Same w/ movie theatres. This ain't no Chinese controlled AMC megaplex w/ 73 soda options. There IS instead nice local girl behind the counter that will get you a pop and some popcorn. The local real estate company has a hokey welcoming trailer that is hokum but homey. The bathrooms could be a lot cleaner. I saw John Boorman's Wagnerian "Excalibur" and it was just wonderful. The website needs to list WHEN these classics are shown in a special section (in an easier to find fashion) on the website. read more

07/18/23 - I born & have lived in the Chicagoland area almost my entire life. I have driven by the Pickwick hundreds if not thousands of times & believe it or not this is the first time I've been to the Pickwick Theater. The Pickwick has been open since 1928. My wife has been wanting to see The "Sound of Freedom". This movie is based on actual events that deal with an international problem of child abductions. I was hoping this movie would be shown in the main theater but it wasn't to be. read more

See all

I'll admit, I'm not the biggest fan of change. I realized that when revisiting the infamous PickWick. Everything is exactly as it was when I last visited and the time before that, etc. It was like a time capsule. Super nostalgic. Everyone is always really friendly in this area. Everyone just seems very happy! We visited the last weekend of their Spider (whatever verse) movie viewing. So we were placed in a very tiny theatre room and it was awesome. Probably less than 30 seats. I'll knock off a star for the fact it wasn't cleaned in the back row but give them the benefit of the doubt being understaffed and focusing on the popcorn making. Great experience and they have advanced in ordering tickets online and receiving paperless tickets via email with a barcode (but they just use your name to check you in). read more

Pickwick Theater - Intimate viewing room 5 - Cinema Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

The main theatre is gorgeous. Seats move, and they are quite comfortable. They may be a little tight if you and the person next to you have broad shoulders. Luckily, you can move the armrest up or keep it down. A new release in the main theatre for only $12? Yes, please. read more

Pickwick Theater - Cinema Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

We came here to watch a show that was playing in theater 5. When we came in, there was popcorn all over the place, cups still in the cup holders, etc.. They did not clean the theater in between showings. read more

Clean, comfy, roomy and reasonable price. Parking was ok too. Plenty of restaurants within walking distance.

Been coming here since I was a kid always been a good place to watch movies & concerts back in the days wish they still did that. I was at one of the last shows for the night & they turned off the soda machine during the middle of the show. Popcorn still sucks tho read more

Just heard that Moses the Black is playing here!!!!!! OMG so excited for this movie at the greatest theater I've ever been to. Truly could not be showing a better movie in such a beautiful historic theater with amazing service and views!!! read more

I give this place 4 stars for its historic integrity. Beautiful theater with newer seating and somewhat updated bathrooms. The downside was the young adults working there. They pushed merchandise geared toward the Godzilla-Fest patrons and were overall snarky and appeared to want to be anywhere but working that night. read more

Update: 23 Oct 2023 I had the pleasure of seeing my first film here in several years, "Killers of the Flower Moon", in the main front theatre. I was pleasantly surprised at how clean the theater was, especially the restrooms. The seats were very comfortable and watching this beautifully photographed Scorsese film on the big screen was really nice. read more

See all

I hadn't visited the Pickwick in nearly 4 years. Since that time it seems they've accomplished many renovations. The new seats in the mega theater were quite nice. Big, comfy seats, and wide aisles so you aren't tripping over anyone should you need to step over other guests to get to your seat(s). Movie tickets were $8 each I believe; I think this is an increase from when we last visited 4 years ago. Great location, free parking when you can find it. Uptown Park Ridge was really bustling 2 days after Christmas. read more

Theater is gross. Ripped greasy seats and a drink still in the cup holder from the last movie.

This review concerns the back theaters, not the big main one with the marquee. It's kind of a joke that they have these back theaters. They're so gross and run-down in comparison to the large theater. You essentially walk through an alley to get to these other theaters which are small and have a tiny screen--much smaller than a standard screen size. It's pretty dirty and people straight up talk and snore throughout the films. I hope this dumpy section is closed down and replaced with something better because it's a total waste of money to see a movie here. read more

This place is a local gem. The people are nice and the theaters are clean. I thoroughly enjoy taking my young daughter here to see a movie, You will to. Go check out the Pickwick. read more

My girlfriend and I wanted to see Jojo Rabbit but it was gone from nearly every theater in Chicagoland. Pickwick Theater was the exception! We went on a Saturday night and were excited to see this cool, old theater but when we entered we found out we were not in the main building but a smaller theater house in the back. We were a little sad we couldn't see the historic part of Pickwick but it gives us a reason to return! The theater was very clean and at great prices. Most theaters that have cheap movies are usually a little run down or dirty but not true at all when it comes to Pickwick. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. Pickwick is a great movie theater! read more

If you have a theater to be pickin', check out Pickwick in the heart of downtown Park Ridge! A few notes: - only 4 movies at a time play here. Check the website for what's currently showing. - Tickets are $8 for most and $6 for senior citizens. I believe the rate is lower for matinees. - You can buy tickets online (+$1 per ticket processing fee)! - 2 check ins on Yelp get you a free popcorn! - I would hold out or plan a visit to watch a movie in the main theater, which is like twice as big as theaters 2, 3, and 4. We enjoyed movies like Superman and the Martian here. - Fun fact: it's on the national register of historic places! Who knew? - Parking lot available behind the theater. read more

Slight price increase, but BIGGER SCREEN BETTER SOUND new PROJECTOR and the food is still waaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper. read more

I barely ever come here because I have my own norms, but I came here the past two years with the school I work at and they have always been extremely accommodating for us. The Pickwick is also in the heart of downtown Park Ridge, so the location is perfect if you want to go to dinner before or after the movie or if you want to shop at cute boutiques. Starbucks is also right near this location. This location was remodeled a few years back, and it shows because it is a modern version of such a historic building. The seats are very comfortable and the ticket prices are cheaper here than most nearby AMC theaters. The sound quality is also great. Nothing echoes or sounds muffled unlike some other theaters. The main theater is very big, but as of right now, it is under construction. However, there are 3 other theaters here, and although they are smaller than the main theater, they are clean and accommodating. I had to sit in the front row of theater 3 when watching "The Greatest Showman," and unlike other theaters, I was actually able to see the screen being first row.... so that automatically is a positive because it didn't strain my eyes. read more

Hands down, one of my favorite theaters. Why? Three reasons: art deco architecture, historic charm, and low ticket prices. The first time I visited the Pickwick was on an elementary school field trip to see a live performance of "A Christmas Carol." I don't remember much about the trip aside from the cute boy I sat next to on the bus and tickled under our coats (which were draped over our heads). We were in third grade, what do you expect? The next time I visited was a few years ago to see a private screening. I had forgotten how awesome the inside of the theater is. It has character and class, unlike the mucky, sticky, overpriced modern theaters. Now that I live in the area, I pass it often and had not been inside... until a couple weeks ago to see a film. The tickets were surprisingly cheap compared to other theaters, the staff was extremely nice, the place was clean, and overall, I had a great experience. I'm so glad to live nearby. If you're heading here, try to catch a show in the large theater to really enjoy the historic beauty. I have no complaints about the smaller theaters, but they're not what this place is known for. (The trek over there can be a bit annoying -- you need to walk a half block down the street and around the corner into a [beautiful] alley.) Now if only I could work on getting the theater to show captioned movies.... read more

Amazing. The architecture is crazy amazing! They play a lot of different types of movies including classics around the holidays. Great place for kids to hang out, very close to starbucks. read more

The Pickwick is a gem of a theatre. This iconic building is a landmark and local treasure. The owners put a ton of money into it a few years back and it shows! The original ornate art work is all in place, yet they upgraded some of the amenities. It costs $8 for a ticket here which is considerably less than the other chains (AMC, Muvico). Concessions were much cheaper here too. The main theatre is gigantic. I would guess there are 300 seats in the place. The seats are all generously sized and have moveable arm rests. You can adjust the comfortable seats to get just the right spot to sit. The screen is big and clear - looked like any other major theatre chain to me. The sound is great too - wonderful acoustics in the theatre. They also have 3 little theatres that also have the nice seats. The Pickwick is a wonderful place to see a hot new release or relax with an afternoon matinee! read more

See all

They don't offer any reduced prices for senior citizens. They don't offer any early show price breaks.

Did you know Harrison Ford and Hillary Clinton lived just blocks away from The Pickwick? I love supporting restored historic theaters, and Pickwick is worth your visit. The theater has been around since 1928, and they used to host vaudeville shows and silent films there. Apparently there are 3-4 theaters, and I recently saw Spiderman in the main theater. As far as the restoration, it's nicely restored with comfy (really bouncy) seats. The interior is art deco and majestic with high ceilings and lots of seating. It was super clean. The sound quality was great, but I know my hubby would have wanted it louder ;-) Nice vintage cleaned up lobby with a basic concession stand with your candy and popcorn needs. The restrooms are downstairs, and you get there by way of a fancy stairwell. Showings prior to 5pm are $6 and $8 after that. Walking distance from the train and in the heart of the downtown. *Historical information provided by my research on this site: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/302 read more

Pickwick Theater - Outside ticket booth. Note the sign in the background showcasing shows at their back theaters. - Cinema Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

Visiting from TX and stopped by to see Frozen II over the Thanksgiving week. My wife is from Park Ridge and grew up watching movies here...but it was the first time for me and the kids. I loved the architecture and ambiance. We watched the movie on the main screen. The seats were comfortable and the sound was great. Next time, I'll inquire about ADA bathrooms. The only 2 bathrooms I saw were at the bottom of stairs. I have a daughter in a wheelchair, and it would be helpful if the ADA locations were clearly visible/marked. read more

I went to the Pickwick theater as a last resort to watch Wonder Woman. The tickets here are around $8 here while other places were charges a minimum of $15 for standard showing. BLASPHEMY. I couldnt believe my eyes so I decided to come to Pickwick instead. Plus, it is right by my work so I know the area much better than before. Tickets are mini raffle tickets in a way. Nothing fancy. Also, I couldn't find what theater showed what. We were just following the crowd that also bought tickets to see Wonder Woman. Theatre itself is very spacious. I really enjoyed the old school decor but modern twist to the seatings. Chairs are comfortable! Seating is spacious! There was so much leg room too. I really enjoyed going here. Parking is a bit of a mess especially if its in the evening time. Other than that, if it wasn't so far west from me I would go here more often. read more

Pickwick Theater - Cinema Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

We visited the Pickwick for the first time in many years (well predating the pandemic). This review pertains only to theater 3. First the pros: Very good prices both for admission and for concessions. Love that they seem to use real butter on the popcorn. Very few theaters do and for me, it's a huge selling point. The cons: Theater 3 was relatively uncomfortable. The chairs aren't very comfortable, the theater was fairly hot, and I didn't think the sound system was that great either. My hearing is admittedly not 100% but I rarely have trouble understanding the dialogue but I did in several places during this movie. Could have been the movie audio but I don't think so. I do understand this is not the main theater and we will come back but might avoid theater 3 in the future. read more

No refills on popcorn due to Covid .....okay........we knew that already....so we purchase 3 large popcorns....$21......it tasted old & stale.....saving old popcorn is not good business practice in the movie theatre business!!! All three of our bags were lousy!!! Pickwick has always had fantastic popcorn.....but the owners must be telling the staff to save yesterday's popcorn for today.....YUCK!!!! Fairly newer seats have taken a beating and already need to be replaced. Poor fabric selection. They don't make those old seats like they used to!!! read more

Out with the old, in with the...old?! Well, the seats are new! The main auditorium is the main event...housed in the 1928 art-deco building that is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built to resemble an Aztec or Mayan temple. The "Pickwick" marquee and the building are a landmark of Park Ridge, IL. The whole downtown - the library, the shops, the train tracks running through - give you a feel of a little "Main Street" town although the town of PR is home to some 39000 residents and a quick drive to downtown Chicago. (Well, "quick is relative" so ride the Metra!) PS - some of the long-lived shops like "Pine's" (recently shuttered - had been there since 1952), "Pickwick restaurant" (likewise) have or are going by the wayside, so get on over that way if you have any inclination to catch them in what could be their final years. The first PG-rated movie I'd ever seen was "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and I'm a Donald Sutherland fan to this day. Was it in the main theatre? Ha-HA! (The other three weren't added until 1990.) Was I cool!? I was not cool though - very freaked out by that movie. For some reason, my friend's mom's brown t-top camaro and the Pickwick marquee are lodged together in my memory. If the marquee seems familiar, but you've never been here...maybe it's from having watched "Siskel and Ebert" - it's featured quickly and side-view in the opening credits. The three other theaters behind through the alley and out by the parking lot and aren't quite as exciting! If you can catch your favorite flick playing in the main theatre...highly recommend. It's worth the drive/travel time if you enjoy architecture, history and can take in a favorite flick. Prices have been kept in line too which makes it very nice. They also do some "movie classics" like "Gone With the Wind" so even more charming to catch a "frankly my dear" moment at the era-related Pickwick! (GWTW was filmed in 1939; same year as Wizard of Oz.) PS - sign up for their newsletter to receive a free drink with the purchase of a large popcorn (and other promos). read more

See all

Wow, look at that gorgeous, old, lovingly restored theater. No, seriously--take a good look at the exterior, because there is only a 25% chance that you will get to see the inside. I jumped at the chance to incorporate a Pickwick matinee into a recent suburban weekend adventure. Sadly, it was the legion of rugrats queued up for The Lego Movie who got to enjoy the splendid architecture and rich history of the old Pickwick. We old farts were relegated to the strip-mall theaters in back. For only five bucks, I suppose that a person can't ask for much, but a minimum requirement of attending a movie is being able to SEE the movie. I don't mind the small scale at all, but there is almost no slope to the room, so unless your front neighbors are little persons (of course they couldn't be children because the lucrative kids' flicks play in the main theater), their heads are guaranteed to block your view. This kind of egregious design flaw really chaps my hide. It is absolutely criminal that they charge the same ticket price for the back theaters as they do for the main theater. They should raise the latter or lower the former. Also, there was vicious competition in both adjacent parking lots. I ended up taking a street spot a block away where there were no signs. So much for the myth of bounteous suburban parking. On the up side, the chairs are new and comfortable, and the sound impeccable. That last point is important when 87% of your fellow patrons are heedless blue hairs and oblivious codgers who puncture the screening with over-loud grunts and groans and guffaws, and a chorus of "What did he say?"s and "Huh?"s and "Oh no!"s and "Watch out!"s. Thankfully I was able to hear MOST of the dialogue even over their outbursts. At regular ticket prices, this place would merit two stars; at five bucks per matinee and seven per evening show, I can grudge it an "A-OK." read more

We didn't realize there was a back theatre. It was a little confusing. The chairs were very comfortable. Small cozy venue! I'll be back - for sure. read more

Pickwick Theater is the BEST! We choose to always see movies at the Pickwick because the popcorn is out of this world, the staff is friendly, and the theaters are clean and in great shape. You can tell they have recently spent a ton of money updating to be a state of the art theater. read more

I've been near this theater may times in my seven years living in Illinois. I'd never been in it before yesterday, when I went to the Silent Film Society's screening of The Whispering Chorus. The theater is just beautiful. Art deco style and incredibly well preserved. There is only one theatre, so it's not like a megaplex with 17 screens. The seats were some of the most comfortable movie theater seats I've been in, and they looked almost brand new. I'm so glad that the SFSC moved here for the summer; I would be ecstatic if they stayed her in the future, too, simply because transportation is fantastic and easy (a block from the UPNW line, Metra) and parking is available around the theatre. And there is air conditioning! Looking forward to my next visit to Pickwick, and I hope to get here more often for everyday movies, too. read more

Great theatre to have in my new home town. It's housed in a historic building on the National Registrar of Historic Places. The historic building houses the huge main theatre (No. 1) with comfortable new seats, and first run movies for $7. Other Pickwick smaller showrooms are apparently housed a short walk away and which we did not bother to see as of yet. They use Movietheatres.com for online bookings. read more

Pickwick Theater - Cinema Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

I met the most delightful young man In the theatre he made me feel right at home his name was Ian read more

Pickwick Theater - Cinema Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

Opening in 1928, the Pickwick is the landmark movie house in Park Ridge. Its distinctive art deco design, by the architecture firm Zook & McCaughey, and glistening marquee makes this the architectural pride of this suburb. It is still a popular place to go for grateful moviegoers, and the low ticket prices help too. read more

Pickwick Theater - Pickwick Theatre - Cinema Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

See all

Huge screen. Mystical experience and I absolutely love this place. I would go here every day when I was sad and feeling down.

The absolute best young workers here!! They are so kind and responsible! My boys love to ride their bikes there then leave it outside while watching a movie. I usually walk over and grab their bikes. The young workers always check with me to be sure I'm "the twins mom"!! They go above and beyond to make sure it's a good safe environment for all. Love this theater!! read more