AMC Evanston 7
1715 Maple Avenue,
Evanston,
IL
60201
1715 Maple Avenue,
Evanston,
IL
60201
9 people
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FILM FIASCO AMC movie theater shuts down all 12 screens for remainder of the year and shares plans for ‘smaller’ future Maya Lanzone , Consumer Reporter Published: 12:18, 24 Jul 2026 | Updated: 15:01, 24 Jul 2026
A POPULAR neighborhood AMC movie theater is temporarily closing all 12 of its screens for the rest of 2026, forcing moviegoers to watch this summer’s hottest films elsewhere.
The theater, however, will be back next year following a wave of exciting renovations.
AMC Evanston 12 in Illinois closed its doors at the end of business hours last Sunday in preparation for a “comprehensive, multimillion-dollar renovation,” the movie theater company announced last week.
Located on Maple Avenue inside Church Street Plaza in downtown Evanston, fans of the theater will see a handful of premium upgrades once it reopens in early 2027.
For example, it will have new luxury recliner seating, updated auditoriums and restrooms, new interior finishes, and common area enhancements.
“When this project is complete, moviegoers will enjoy a dramatically enhanced experience from the moment they walk through the front doors until the credits roll,” Dan Ellis, AMC’s chief operations and development officer, said in a statement.
“We are excited to bring luxury recliner seating and a completely refreshed theatre environment to our guests in Evanston.”
Beyond the upgrades, AMC Evanston 12 customers will also notice fewer movie screens following the closure.
The theater is expected to shrink from 12 screens to seven screens and reopen with a new name as a result: AMC Evanston 7.
There will be five fewer screens due to a high-rise apartment building proposed at 900 Clark Street.
Continuum Development, the owner of Church Street Plaza, is planning to construct a 27-story, 358-unit luxury apartment tower on the north end of the building.
The Chili’s restaurant on the ground floor has already shut down, while the Dogtopia dog daycare center is planning to relocate to make way for the residential complex.
Now that the AMC movie theater has closed its doors for renovations, the site is fully cleared for demolition and construction, as long as Continuum Development’s application for the apartment tower receives final approval.
“AMC is a vital anchor of downtown Evanston’s commercial district, and we’re thrilled to continue our relationship with them at Church Street Plaza following a substantial renovation that will ensure the theatre remains part of the local business community for years to come,” Continuum co-founder Evan Meador said in AMC’s announcement.
City officials had some advance notice of the theater’s temporary closure, with council member Jonathan Nieuwsma alerting Evanston residents to expect it in the near future at a meeting earlier this month.
“I look at this as a positive that AMC is willing to invest in our community and give us an entertainment amenity that’s nicer than it is now,” said Nieuwsma.
Plenty of other theaters are getting a makeover as the world of film makes a comeback following a post-pandemic slump.
Over in Los Angeles, California, the Cinerama Dome, a landmark Hollywood theater, is undergoing a huge multi-year restoration by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema after being shuttered since 2020.
The gigantic 86-foot-wide curved dome theater and its neighboring 14-theater complex are expected to reopen in 2028.
Meanwhile, in downtown San Antonio, Texas, the Alameda Theater is being brought back to life through a $52 million renovation, with the project expected to be complete by 2028.
Aside from structural upgrades, many theaters nationwide are getting a makeover at the concession stands to match changing consumer tastes.
As the movie theater industry sees a major resurgence, some chains are tapping into plant-based and allergy-friendly trends.
AMC, for example, rolled out new plant-based menu items at its dine-in theaters in 2023, and several theaters have begun offering vegan popcorn for guests.
An article can be found here.
AMC Evanston 12 closed on July 19, 2026 to reopen after a renovation as the AMC Evanston 7. The theatre began with 12 mainstream screens and a six-screen art house. with 18 screens in total in 2000 under Century Theatres. Cinemark absorbed Century and closed the theater on March 16, 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic. They decided to make the closure permanent.
AMC reopened the 12-screener in November 22, 2022 with the Cine-Arts converted to a bounce house. A high-rise apartment building proposed at 900 Clark Street bites into the floor plan so it will re-emerge with new recliners and a multi-million update in 2027.
Please update, total seats 2,293
Seating Capacity:
Theatre 1 334
Theatre 2 387
Theatre 3 105
Theatre 4 and 5 271
Theatre 6 145
Theatre 7 99
Theatre 8 143
Theatre 9 95
Theatre 10 105
Theatre 11 and 169
This location used to have XD in either screen 1 or 2, but AMC is not using Cinemark old PLF and AMC hasn’t installed one of their formats as of today.
2022 grand opening ad posted.
Now called AMC Evanston 12
https://evanstonroundtable.com/2022/11/07/is-amc-really-open/
Reopening as AMC Evanston 12 on Wednesday November 9, 2022. Official AMC website below.
https://www.amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/chicago/amc-evanston-12?fbclid=IwAR2hYEINqL1A_92ltGgaRMayRGGVzL3GLkfW3_P1-UOwUCYoRM9_KwjfoH4
This theatre will be reopened by AMC with 12 screens. https://evanstonroundtable.com/2022/02/11/evanston-movie-theater-century-trampoline-egaming/?fbclid=IwAR3gS14qYuauDVDTnj_19HQRi4wsNNHD6n7MFsVMezbCyomanvGscGnya2o
Today’s Evanston RoundTable article about a potential 2022 re-opening of the 12 screens, and redevelopment of the 6 screens for other entertainment purposes.
https://evanstonroundtable.com/2021/09/16/evanston-movie-theater-on-track-for-early-2022-reopening-says-developer/?fbclid=IwAR2FpU5v3ZF8OztpZK3UEFY1TJYLZo8RVD7fghfjdjLUNRNnN8xIeTnbojc
Closed as the Century 12 Evanston / CinéArts 6 and XD
Sadly it appears Cinemark used an option on thier lease to vacate. It will not be reopening under their management.
https://evanstonroundtable.com/2021/02/22/evanstons-downtown-movie-theater-will-not-reopen/?fbclid=IwAR0M3Dd7d6rqzWSH1oJPX4sWjshX82w2QUqlDqFNdiE8d8CHZgjCmVKrK6Q
November 16th, 2000 grand opening ad can be found in the photo section.
Was here for the 1st. time Saturday and love it!!!
The theatre opened on November 17, 2000
A recent article about some problems with the new digital projectors: View link
They had their last film presentation on Dec. 4, 2010. It was a midnight showing of Tim Burton’s “Batman.” The theatre is indeed all digital now. Not sure whether the xD screens are 4K, but the rest of the theatre is most likely 2K.
Judging by the website for this theatre, it looks like it is all digital projection. Can anybody confirm that?
I have been here several times and have never heard the train. It is across an alley and up a hill. So it isn’t quite the Blues Brothers effect.
Anway, whatever sound-proofing they did seems to get the job done.
ELS Architects in Berkeley, California designed the Century 12/Cinearts 6 Theater & Retail while working with DeStefano in Chicago. I’m hoping that the soundproofing details managed to silence the trains? How did that work out?
Pro’s: film title selection always includes a couple titles in very limited release (some other theatres should have this variety;
bargain matinee prices, best buy is 1st show of the day;
free parking in lot across Maple St (my girlfriend reminds me to validate my parking ticket in the little machine at theatre);
one Con; restrooms for the theatres one must walk a distance and through the dining area! What is this, didn’t they ever have to go real bad and not want to miss anything? Sheesh.
According to this link, this theater is opening a Cinemark “Extreme Digital” auditorium on November 6th. I’ve seen photos of their new creation, and it looks pretty good. It’s no IMAX or 70mm, but it appears to be better than the LIEMAX screens that AMC is opening up. I know I will most certainly be making the trek to Evanston when it opens.
The seating capacity for the Century 12 auditoriums : #1 has 417 seats, #2-397, #3-120, #4-283, #5-283, #6-152, #7-103, #8-not posted, #9-103, #10-110, #11-not posted, and #12 has 178 seats. 2146+ seats. Add the 877 seats in the CineArts section,3,023+ seats.
The seating capacity for the CineArts 6 is 877. Auditorium 13 has 194 seats, #14 -144, #15 -91, #16 -102, #17-155, and #18-191.
Whups, not “cricket” but “grasshopper”. :)