Hopkins Mann Theatre

Pros:

– Super cheap tickets ($3 for general admission, $2.50 before 6 pm)

– You don’t need to sell your car to buy a bag of popcorn ($5.75 for a small)

– Big screens

– Walking distance to good food places such as Chipotle and Cold Stone

– Comfy seats

Cons:

– Outdated

– Super crowded on Friday

and Saturday nights

– Slow service

– Old movies

(four out of five stars)

Chanhassen

Cinema

The Chanhassen Cinema is a small theater on the corner of Highway 101 and Highway 5. This location is better for just seeing a movie, versus making a night out of it. This theater is a little less expensive than the AMC in Eden Prairie ($8.75 plus tax for one adult ticket). According to an employee, a large popcorn and pop cost about $12, and there are eight screens. With a great assortment of concessions, friendly service, and clean theaters, the Chanhassen Cinema is a great place to go if you just want to see a particular movie, or if you decided to see a movie last minute with some friends. (Four out of five stars)

Excelsior Dock Cinema

Pros:

– Only 3 theaters (easy the choose which movie to see)

– Self serve pop station

– Nice, helpful employes

– Reasonable ticket prices ($8.50 general admission, $7 before 5:30 pm)

– Limited commercials before the movie

– The scent of popcorn can be smelled driving by

Cons:

– Only 3 theaters (Not enough choices)

– Has a musty smell

– Outdated

– Big cup holders on the back of the seats

– Expensive concessions

(four and a half out of five stars)

Eden Prairie AMC

The AMC movie theater in the Eden Prairie Mall is one of my personal favorites. Not only are there eighteen screens that are clean and comfortable, but the surrounding mall is great for shopping and eating. The food court has tons of cheap food of all kinds: Asian, Mexican, Italian, and more. In addition to this, all AMC Theaters have a program called the “Stubs”. If you become a member of the Stubs program, you receive free size upgrades on pop and popcorn, $10 off every $100 you spend, and more great benefits. Even though it can be a bit expensive ($13.28 plus tax for a large popcorn and pop with free refills and $10.72 plus tax for one adult ticket), this theater is great for an evening out. (Four and a half out of five stars)

Chanhassen Dinner

Theatre

Chanhassen Dinner Theatre is an outing fit for all ages. Going to a live dinner theater is more of a formal event than going to a movie; you buy the tickets ahead of time and you dress up nicely. You watch an always fantastic production of the musical playing on the main stage (currently Hello, Dolly!).  After, you are served a dinner before the show and dessert during intermission. If you do not care for musicals, the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre also offers Stevie Ray’s Comedy Cabaret every Friday and Saturday night. The Comedy Cabaret is an improvisational comedy act that never fails to leave the crowd laughing. Although the food leaves something to be desired, the quality of either show makes up for it. I recommend going to the New Year’s Eve celebration, during which you watch the musical and eat a meal, see the Comedy Cabaret, dance, and have a fun countdown to New Years with your friends and family. They offer a musical camp for children during the summer as well. If you attended the fun camp in the past, like I did, maybe it’s time to visit again. (Four and a half out of five stars)