It was demolished in August 2023. I drove past there on the Parkway the other day (December 2023) and the building was gone. I wouldn’t be surprised, like most of Middlesex County, if apartments or condos are planned for the site.
I saw many, many movies there in the ‘80s and early '90s, until the Loews opened on Rt. 1 in New Brunswick in 1996.
The theater and physical location had a complicated history, but it now belongs to the ages.
I had live for six years in Hunterdon County before this closed in 2011, but sadly, never went to see a movie here. I remember driving by at the end when their sign read: “That’s All Folks”. Although I hadn’t grown up in the area or ever saw a movie there, it saddened me.
Hard to believe there’s no movie theater in Hunterdon anymore. I guess folks are driving up Rt. 202 to Bridgewater for the newer, update theater?
I grew up in nearby Iselin and was so excited when this opened as it was going to be the biggest movie theater closest to my house. I ended up seeing many, many movies here.
I remember going to see “Jurassic Park” here in 1993 and, for some reason or another, the movie wouldn’t play. They sent out this poor, young employee to tell a PACKED crowd that they could get their money pack or get credit or whatever. I felt SO bad for him.
I remember the cute receptionist at my job at the time talked me and my friend into going to see “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” here in 1995. We didn’t appreciate it so much at the time, but what an experience and memory it was.
So happy to see this theater, not only still remain, but prosper and flourish over the last 20 years. The cynic in me always thought it might die out. I don’t go out to the movies as much, so I haven’t gotten a chance to go here very often, but good to see people enjoying it.
I grew up in Woodbridge Twp. and, to me at least, this was the first multiplex I remember in the area. No disrespect to Sayreville, South Amboy, etc., but this seemed to be the only time we went south of the Raritan River.
I saw many movies here; the experience that comes to mind is when me and my friends saw one of the Nightmare on Elm Street sequels and, out of nowhere, theater staff came in during the movie, removed us from our seats, and asked for our tickets stubs in the lobby. We actually hadn’t snuck in so we were able to show them. Someone must’ve complained about us.
I haven’t had a chance to read all the comments yet, but I’m sure someone mentioned Razz-ma-tazz, the always packed arcade next door.
When Loews in New Brunswick opened in 1996 (on the site of the late, great U.S. 1 Flea Market), I thought this place was gonna suffer a quick death, but admittedly, I was wrong and this held on way longer than I expected.
Now the derelict building remains, but I’m sure it’ll be razed in time. R.I.P., Amboy Cinemas. Thanks for the memories.
I grew up in Iselin and saw many movies here. For some reason, I distinctly remember watching “Back to the Future Part III” here in 1990. I was familiar with its history, first becoming a second-run theater, then exclusively showing Bollywood or other South Asian films, but I didn’t know it had closed.
I also always found it odd that the entrance was in the back of the building and virtually unseen from Route 1. I remember there always being a crowd, so I guess it didn’t hurt business too much throughout the years.
Anyway, thanks for posting this, and for the memories.
I grew up in the area and went to the newer movie theater many times throughout the years, but sadly, have no recollection of this older theater. Too bad, but thanks for the photo and for posting this.
I grew up in Woodbridge Twp. and spent countless hours in the Woodbridge Center Mall, but for the life of me, I can’t remember a movie theater or seeing a movie there.
I grew up in Iselin, but sadly, was too young to see a movie here before it closed. I keep an old black-and-white photo of it, though, in my office, sort of as a relic of what the old Iselin was like.
I grew up in Woodbridge Twp. and remember this movie theater very well. Me and a buddy went to see “Predator” here in 1987; this was also where I realized that popcorn, soda, candy, etc., at movie theaters are outrageously expensive, something that still applies to this day. Anyway, thanks for this, and for the memories.
I grew up in the area, but never went to this drive-in; I was too young when it closed, but I remember driving down Oak Tree Road with my parents from Edison into Iselin and checking out the movie that was visible on the big screen as you came down the hill. I thought that was so cool. Thanks for posting this and to all the other commenters; it brought back great memories.
It was demolished in August 2023. I drove past there on the Parkway the other day (December 2023) and the building was gone. I wouldn’t be surprised, like most of Middlesex County, if apartments or condos are planned for the site.
I saw many, many movies there in the ‘80s and early '90s, until the Loews opened on Rt. 1 in New Brunswick in 1996.
The theater and physical location had a complicated history, but it now belongs to the ages.
I had live for six years in Hunterdon County before this closed in 2011, but sadly, never went to see a movie here. I remember driving by at the end when their sign read: “That’s All Folks”. Although I hadn’t grown up in the area or ever saw a movie there, it saddened me.
Hard to believe there’s no movie theater in Hunterdon anymore. I guess folks are driving up Rt. 202 to Bridgewater for the newer, update theater?
Anyway, Rest in Peace, Cinema Plaza.
I grew up in nearby Iselin and was so excited when this opened as it was going to be the biggest movie theater closest to my house. I ended up seeing many, many movies here.
I remember going to see “Jurassic Park” here in 1993 and, for some reason or another, the movie wouldn’t play. They sent out this poor, young employee to tell a PACKED crowd that they could get their money pack or get credit or whatever. I felt SO bad for him.
I remember the cute receptionist at my job at the time talked me and my friend into going to see “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” here in 1995. We didn’t appreciate it so much at the time, but what an experience and memory it was.
Glad to see it still up and running.
So happy to see this theater, not only still remain, but prosper and flourish over the last 20 years. The cynic in me always thought it might die out. I don’t go out to the movies as much, so I haven’t gotten a chance to go here very often, but good to see people enjoying it.
I grew up in Woodbridge Twp. and, to me at least, this was the first multiplex I remember in the area. No disrespect to Sayreville, South Amboy, etc., but this seemed to be the only time we went south of the Raritan River.
I saw many movies here; the experience that comes to mind is when me and my friends saw one of the Nightmare on Elm Street sequels and, out of nowhere, theater staff came in during the movie, removed us from our seats, and asked for our tickets stubs in the lobby. We actually hadn’t snuck in so we were able to show them. Someone must’ve complained about us.
I haven’t had a chance to read all the comments yet, but I’m sure someone mentioned Razz-ma-tazz, the always packed arcade next door.
When Loews in New Brunswick opened in 1996 (on the site of the late, great U.S. 1 Flea Market), I thought this place was gonna suffer a quick death, but admittedly, I was wrong and this held on way longer than I expected.
Now the derelict building remains, but I’m sure it’ll be razed in time. R.I.P., Amboy Cinemas. Thanks for the memories.
I grew up in Iselin and saw many movies here. For some reason, I distinctly remember watching “Back to the Future Part III” here in 1990. I was familiar with its history, first becoming a second-run theater, then exclusively showing Bollywood or other South Asian films, but I didn’t know it had closed.
I also always found it odd that the entrance was in the back of the building and virtually unseen from Route 1. I remember there always being a crowd, so I guess it didn’t hurt business too much throughout the years.
Anyway, thanks for posting this, and for the memories.
I grew up in the area and went to the newer movie theater many times throughout the years, but sadly, have no recollection of this older theater. Too bad, but thanks for the photo and for posting this.
I grew up in Woodbridge Twp. and spent countless hours in the Woodbridge Center Mall, but for the life of me, I can’t remember a movie theater or seeing a movie there.
I grew up in Iselin, but sadly, was too young to see a movie here before it closed. I keep an old black-and-white photo of it, though, in my office, sort of as a relic of what the old Iselin was like.
I grew up in Woodbridge Twp. and remember this movie theater very well. Me and a buddy went to see “Predator” here in 1987; this was also where I realized that popcorn, soda, candy, etc., at movie theaters are outrageously expensive, something that still applies to this day. Anyway, thanks for this, and for the memories.
I grew up in the area, but never went to this drive-in; I was too young when it closed, but I remember driving down Oak Tree Road with my parents from Edison into Iselin and checking out the movie that was visible on the big screen as you came down the hill. I thought that was so cool. Thanks for posting this and to all the other commenters; it brought back great memories.