Hollywood in Panama City and around Panama

Who would think that we would enjoy going out to the movies in Panama? As a family living in a country in Latin America, we realize we do have the best of Hollywood at our hands.  Granted we miss the convenience of a variety of movie theater places, convenient times of showings, but who cares?  We went online to look up theaters when the movie The Avengers came out and voila! (If you clicked on "theater" I did the website link for you).

Movie theaters or Cines were easily available to look up times, places of the movie.  Movie theaters here in Panama are located in the big shopping malls: Albrook Mall, Multiplaza or VIP, Metro Mall, Multi Centro or VIP in the city, and other locations which I have not been in outside the city.  Its all under the list of theaters.  As I'm typing this today, I've read about the new opening of a theater at the new Westland Mall in Arraiján...which is 30-40 minutes away from us beach folks in Coronado. This includes a 3D section as well.  We are excited to explore that soon.

Our day in the city:
My friend Lee, her son Gavin, Kamila, Lincoln and I treated the kids to see "The Avengers". We end up choosing to go to the Multiplaza regular subtitled showing. I think this is the nicest mall here in Panama - not to mention I have the best time finding it easily, and parking is easier for me.
Movies here are either dubbed or subtitled.  I felt my kids with their super spanish ears can keep up with the dubbed, but we end up choosing the subtitled version for Gavin.

Long lines are pretty common here in Panama - banks, super markets, food, etc. I've also seen long lines at the movie theaters:  I've seen super long lines to buy tickets at the ticket booth (no kiosks here), super long lines to buy your drinks and popcorn and finally super long lines to go into the theater (people wait outside the theater until 5 minutes before the starting).  Yes, lines for everything!

Multiplaza seating General Admission - NICE!

Being Friday morning, no lines, no crowds. Yae! We bought our tickets: $15 total. Really!! Spent $2 on coffee and $2 on popcorn! The choices are: Regular, Light, Caramel, Buttered. I ended up getting 2 small buttered and a caramel. Yum Yum! Plus the slushies for the kids.
How could I resist?!?

I must say, movies are really affordable: tickets and treats.  SfxdZgdxggcxv o you can also buy your candy, drinks, and popcorn.  I bring my own stash of sweets anyway, so I saved even more!

Popcorn anyone? Caramel, Regular or with Butter?

After our concessions we were surprised about the seating.  And this was regular seating!
The kids and adults were happy.  The movie was awesome! The sound was great and we had a super fabulous experience in a Panamanian movie theater.

FYI: The Multiplaza Pacifica Mall theater Cineopolis prices are as follows:

REGULAR:
Adults: $5, Kids (12 and under): $3.50
M-Th:  matinee (before 3 PM) Adults $3.50, Kids 3.50
Wednesday SPECIAL: Adults & Kids: $2.75

3D:
Kids: $6.00
Adults: $7.75
Seniors (over 60 years old): $3.85

VIP:
3D: Kids & Adults: $15
2D: Kids & Adults: $13

For future reference, when we make it to Westland Mall:

REGULAR:
Adults: $4.25, Kids (12 and under) : $3.00
M-Th: Matinée Special: Adults $3.50, Kids $2.75
Wednesday SPECIAL: Adults & Kids $2.50

3D:
Adult: $7.25
Kids: $5.00
Seniors: $3.50
M-Th Adultos $6.00, Kids $4.50

Multiplaza VIP seating - Wine please!

Regular seating is just as good as the new theaters at home.  Not ghetto at all. But then again, I should see the other seats at the other theaters, ey? Here are some pictures of the VIP in multiplaza. They serve sushi in addition to the regular concessions AND besides soda....alcohol!

We are definitely going to VIP on the next movie we like.  I think it would be mostly just to experience those nice comfy chairs...and to pay the $15 for a 3D movie  or $13 for a regular movie.  I know Kami would love the sushi option.

Multiplaza VIP Seating - WOW! 

Well, its not much difference as in the US, right?
I think if we watched a 3 hour movie it would be worth it. LOL

Can't wait until the next Hollywood hit to come down.  We anxiously await. Well, maybe a girls trip into the city to watch Breaking Dawn Part 2. Hmmm....I should start planning on that.







In the meantime, we enjoy downloading on netflix to our TV or using the Appple TV and download from our iTunes.  Still good, but nothing compares to sitting in an actual movie theater. Hooray! A new "like" for Panama.