FOXBORO – The closure of Showcase Cinema at Patriot place left an entertainment void in the area. Luckily, Phoenix Theatres has filled that hole with an updated, restored movie going experience. Opening their doors July 1st, Phoenix Theater at Patriot Place promises a multi-million-dollar, top-tier cinematic experience right in our backyard. Eager to see if the reality lived up to the hype, Inside Norwood caught a morning screening during the theater’s second day of operation.
The verdict? The physical upgrades and family-friendly pricing are a massive win for local moviegoers, even if the new staff is still ironing out a few “Day 2” operational wrinkles.
Walking into the lobby, the multi-million-dollar refurbishment is immediately apparent. The space has been beautifully restored, offering a warm, genuinely welcoming atmosphere that honors classic cinema.
A pleasant greeter immediately directed us toward the concessions to finalize ticketing. One important logistical note for future guests: even if you purchase your tickets online ahead of time, you still need to stop by the counter. An employee must scan your digital QR code to generate a physical, printed ticket before you head to the auditoriums.
The concession area was immaculate, and the staff was incredibly helpful. There was a noticeable, reassuring presence of supervisors sporting sharp red shirts who were actively floating around the lobby to assist guests and keep the lines moving smoothly.
Perhaps the biggest draw for local families will be the pricing structure. In an era where a family trip to the movies can easily eclipse a hundred dollars, the Phoenix is a breath of fresh air. Matinees are a mere $8 for general admission and children (11 and under) are $7 all day.
While the lobby experience was seamless, the transition to the auditorium is where those classic opening-week hiccups began to show.
Upon entering the theater corridor, we were met with absolute, pitch-black darkness. There were no running aisle lights illuminated on the floor and the only semblance of light was the soft, distant glow of the emergency exit signs. Multiple patrons were forced to pull out their cell phone flashlights just to safely navigate the steps and find their assigned rows.
Just minutes before the trailers began, however, the overhead house lights suddenly flickered on, prompting a literal round of applause from the relieved crowd who had successfully navigated the darkness.
The Phoenix advertises a “no commercial ads” policy and while you won’t see local car dealership commercials, the show does start with an entertaining 5-minute slideshow highlighting the theater’s refurbishment, followed by standard upcoming Hollywood trailers (including previews for Moana, Paw Patrol, and Shrek 5).
A quick trip back out to the lobby revealed another minor opening-week casualty: two out of the three bathroom stalls in the main men’s room were already marked “out of order.”
Once settled, the actual viewing experience proved that the Phoenix means business. The theater’s signature amenities are nothing short of spectacular, including fully reclining seats that are incredibly plush, built-in heaters, and actually vibrate dynamically with the film’s lower audio frequencies.
The Phoenix boasts New England’s first all-Atmos layout, but I must warn you, it is loud. The sound design is completely immersive, though if you or your children are sensitive to intense audio, you may want to opt for a traditional screening or bring hearing protection.
The morning did experience a minor scheduling delay, as our 10:30 AM scheduled movie didn’t actually roll until 10:45 AM. Furthermore, when the credits finally rolled, the house lights failed to turn back up, meaning audiences had to exit under the same dim conditions they arrived in.
Every major theater opening undergoes a trial by fire. Minor scheduling delays, uncooperative bathroom plumbing, and lighting cues that are a few minutes off are par for the course on Day 2.
What matters most is that the staff is plentiful and eager to help, the environment is exceptionally clean, the ticket prices respect the consumer’s wallet, and the actual screen-and-seat technology is top-of-the-line. Once the technical kinks are ironed out, the Phoenix is poised to be the premier spot for film lovers in the region. -RD
The volume was often a problem for me at Showcase as well. Once when I took my kids i asked the theater employees the volume was hurting everyone’s ears and they adjusted it.
How is new accessible seating? That was one positive at Showcase.