AMC Gateway 8
2501 S. Gateway Center,
Federal Way,
WA
98003
2501 S. Gateway Center,
Federal Way,
WA
98003
3 people
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closed September 29th, 2000, by General Cinema and reopened by Galaxy on December 15th, 2000. article posted
Grand opening ad posted.
Above link shortened. Gateway
September 2020 article with demo photos.
https://www.kentreporter.com/business/show-is-over-for-federal-ways-gateway-movies-8-theater/?fbclid=IwAR0nD9Tamrf9AApBxGda-6pgtMCbE9wrLuh28tfVVCHBn_k1-EWFFkux8e4
Architectural sketches were by The Architectural Group in Mobile, Alabama or TAG
As for the first run/subrun discussion from 2007. When Starplex took over in 2005, they were fully aware there would be a need to convert to subrun down the line and the theatre continued to make good money after the switch. Also, after Cinemark purchased Century in 2006, there was somewhat of a link involved. Cinemark founder/chairman Lee Roy Mitchell was financially involved in Starplex at the time. So, it was a win/win scenario behind the scenes.
Demolished September of 2020 with “Cinema” signage from its “General Cinema” roots still on the backside of the building at its razing
Closed. Last show was 12/05/2019
A picture of the theater can be seen here.
Here is the thing, i work at Starplex, i have been for about 4 months now, and i love it. Everyone that works there is so friendly. We just got over watched by a higher power and she came in cleaned the place up, got rid of the people who were not needed, and tought us alot of things to make us a better company. But here is my view about my theater. We sell our tickets for 2 dollars, and if you think about it right now with this economy where would you rather see movies? Were sub run yeah so we get the movies later. But imagine this, a family of 6 or more at 2 dollar tickets. We have the upper hand. And lately we have been getting great movies, we have been selling out of yes man, day the earth stood still, TWILIGHT, marley and me and the list goes on. We keep getting great movies. Yeah the place is old but we still do a great job running it. I love the people who work there they are like my second family. It just bugs me seeing people talk bad about the theater. OR sneaking in. I mean seriously. its a two dollar theater.
Now advertised as Gateway Movies 8. Function should be second run movies.
It is great in these tough economic a place like this is still around. The staff is very friendly and the place is not bad at all. When considering $2 compared to $9 or whatever it is now you cannot go wrong. I see matinees here at least two times a month and I love it and thank whoever runs the place. We greatly appreciate your business as there is no other place to have entertainment for so cheap. For those who like to complain it is probably best you do not go back as negative attitudes are not welcome around me. Be happy and enjoy life and go to this cinema on the cheap…
Katie I think I know which auditorium you were in. (The one on the far left as you walk in). I saw Chronricles of Narninia there on a fluke a few years back. Looked like water damage (there had been storms) and they had to remove the wall panelling and curtains.
I do have to say though I was impressed by the presentation and the friendliness of the staff. I would definitely pay $2 (even 3 or 4) to see a movie there.
I see Mark Campbell’s comments above, and I am assuming the old theater cannot compete with the sparkling new 16-screen, stadium seating one across the way. Thus, they decided to go discount — something we’re seriously lacking in the Tacoma/Federal Way area. All shows are $2, except on Tuesdays when all shows are $1. My husband and I went to a movie there right after the changeover. It is a very bare bones experience — just one line into the theater to buy tickets, one line to buy concessions. I think there were three or four people total working in the lobby. (The ticket booth is not being used.) The theater we were in was kind of in disrepair. The coverings had been taken off one wall, and it looked like seats or a curtain were piled up in front of the screen. That was a little creepy for some reason. But I would go back. $2 is nothing to see a movie, especially when it’s something I want to see and didn’t make it in the film’s first-run days. I was surprised to see that the indie-hit “Waitress” is playing there right now.
STAY AWAY!
My brothers and I don’t go often to the threaters due to busy shedules, etc., one night I decided to take them to see ‘Night At The Museum’ at the Federal Way Galaxy “8” and since then have never gone back and wont! They let in some dirtbag parents who brought their under 1 year old child who never shut up, even after repeated comments from myself and other viewers. This ruined the experience of the movie and left a sour taste for the rest of the night. The staff afterwards didn’t seem the least concerned. Plus the place is old and small. Go somewhere else like Auburn Stadium 17.
I’m up in Seattle for the 4th of July holiday and the Century Federal Way opened today (saw ads in the paper). What is very interesting is that the Starplex Gateway 8 a few blocks away (ex-GCC) has gone discount overnight and has literally “given” all their first run films to the Century Federal Way and has a new slate of 2nd run films. There must have been some sort of agreement in place. I have never seen a competing theatre from a different chain just bow down and give way to the new theatre with out a fight or letting all their first run films peter out. Starplex was the only theatre in the area and had all the latest first run films. They ran Ratatoullie and Die Hard for less than a week before giving them to Century.
Gateway will need to change its business model once the Century (finally, someday) opens. Either become second-run (more likely) or indie (not likely in this town).
Either that, or it could just stay derelict and vacant for 5 years, like the AMC 2 blocks away has done.
First-run, family movies and an arcade are at every Starplex Theater.
I’m not so sure why Starplex took over the Gateway. When Century opens their new 16 plex down the street soon, the Gateway is sure to be history. I suspect that’s why Galaxy got out.