Stratford Cinemas — Attraction in Stratford

Growing up in Stratford, Stratford Cinemas is a very memorable place for me. I watched all three Lord of the Rings Movies and all the new generation of Star Wars movies here, just to give a picture of the range of years I have returned to the establishment. The price point and quality of the theatre have always been good for a small town, and prices have not raised with inflation in my lifetime. Unfortunately, as much as I would love to have only positive opinions about this place, I have had many negative experiences here due to the ownership and have heard many other worse stories from friends and former employees. My last visit here was to see Star Wars the Force Awakened. We braved the long line in the cold and a friend went to get McDonalds while we waited and we ate it outside before the doors opened. As there were no garbage bins located outside or in the area at all we took our garbage in and I respectfully asked the owner if it was okay if we threw our garbage out there (note this was a packed house for a big movie premier). Rather than acknowledge the extenuating circumstances and say "sorry we have a rule that no outside garbage is allowed" he instead pointed to a sign to the side that stated the policy and said "can't you read the sign?!" I was shocked and we ended up having to stow the garbage in a friends trunk in order to not litter. Needless to say I have not been back since. Have a heart and give the kind of service and friendly environment we in a small community expect, otherwise don't complain when we flock to a big box theatre chain. Hopefully a bigger theatre offering a broader range of pictures...

It is great to have a local cinema, but they just can't compete with the BIG screens and BIG sounds at the major Landmarks, Cineplex, etc. (And they don't have the VIP screens either).

I appreciate they occasionally show special films (local connection, etc.) like a rep cinema. That is great.

I have seen movies in the Stratford Cinemas and all went well, but I've also seen films where they turned on the house lights and started cleaning as soon as the credits started. I like to read the credits, so this was not good. Also, one film had a bonus scene at the end of the credits, but they again had the house lights on full and the cleaning staff were at work making the scene almost impossible to see and hard to hear.

I once phoned to find out which screen a specific movie was playing at. I was only wanting to see that particular film on a big screen, and two of Stratford Cinemas screens are quite small. The person who answered the phone refused to tell me which screen it was showing on. Not very professional. Needless to say, I saw the film elsewhere.

If I have the time and resources to drive to K/W or London to see something in its full length (including credits and extra scenes - and preferably in a VIP theatre) I would prefer to go out of town.

But, if you just want to stay local, it is an ok place...

Terrible Terrible Terrible. I am disgusted by the owners behaviour and lack of accountability for himself. Rainy weather had caused some people to track dirt in with their shoes and as I go in the owner stops me and the end result was me sweeping up the dirt left from myself and some others, in the entrance. Soooo embarrassed I stayed respectful and kindly did what I was asked but I did not feel welcome in this facility. I later returned to see the movie and was asked to leave my bag at the entrance although many others were allowed to have purses in, including my friend, I feel as though this was a racial issue. This owner was extremely rude and I do not suggest going to this theatre anytime soon, I assure you I will not. Can't wait for Cinaplex to...