Classic Cinemas Beloit XQ — Local services in Beloit

(originally posted late 2021, edited May 31st, 2024)

I love movies. I have since I was young. The experience, the feeling after, all of it. So as a grew up, I relied on seeing movies with high quality and comfort. I was excited to learn that our little Schubert Theater was growing up into an AMC competitor. I should’ve held my breath. Classic Cinemas Beloit is a poorly run cash grab that has no care for the theater experience provided to customers.

Some things happen in every theater. There has been one thing wrong, major or minor, with all of my visits. The side lights often stay on during the movie, they rarely remember to turn them off. The projectors are also often blurry. The zoom-induced aspect ratio is also very often wrong, often to a degree that shouldn’t even be possible. The projector are also dependably blurry, something that should be the bare minimum when I decide to go out and see a movie, as opposed to finding it on some streaming service. The floors stay very dirty. The chairs squeal when they recline because of the popcorn-grease buildup.

The first movie I saw post-pandemic. My one year virgin eyes were excited to take advantage of the big screen after so long. Godzilla vs Kong. Unfortunately, the subwoofer in theater 4 has been seriously broken. It crackles whenever it is supposed to make a very loud noise. Godzilla vs Kong was in March. It is currently November. This is still an issue.

Quality and maintenance was good until Free Guy. The zoom was wrong by about 30% smaller than it should be, when I got someone to fix it, the lights stayed on after it zoomed, even after telling someone.

It wasn’t long until Marvel made it back to the theater with Shang Chi: Legend of the Ten Rings. It was immersive, aside from the side lights staying on throughout the duration of the film.

When going to the theater started to feel normal again, Venom: Let there be Carnage was there. It was a fun plot to follow. Albeit missing the top and bottom 15% of it. The zoom was wrong. It was a 16:9 movie horrendously bloated to fill the widescreen.

I don’t feel like introducing this one nicely. Eternals was the most this theater ever messed up. The projector was three feet to the left. I told someone about it. They walked me back to the theater and did nothing about it.

When I went with my family to see Ghostbusters Afterlife, the projector was blurry, and the movie was 20% smaller on the screen than it should have been.

I just wish this theater cared more about my experience when I’m watching these movies. The big company drove away what made this theater great. A staff that cares about the customer’s experience. A staff that will stop selling five dollar small drinks to zoom in the projector for you, if they didn’t already check the aspect ratio before putting the movie on all day long. A staff that was proud to work at the run down old Schubert Theaters. A staff that cares about the theater experience provided to customers.

edit: It really doesn’t even get better. I mainly go to AMC in Rockford or Machesney now, but sometimes you just have to catch one at Classic. I saw Barbie in February and the theater reeked. It just smelled like sweat and popcorn.

And today I went to see IF, but the left and right front speakers were muted which made for some really awkward scenes. Intended music and sound effects just weren’t there. The very worst part? This glitch has been around since before December 2022, when I went to see Spirited and the center speaker seemed awfully loud. Turns out it’s just the front left and right. Again, an issue that occurred as early as December 2022 is still present in May 2024.

This theater looks great, don’t get me wrong. They have a very clean aesthetic, the tickets are damn cheap by comparison elsewhere, and these are most comfortable movie seats for over 40 miles out. But the way it’s run has been a joke for as long as it’s been a “Classic Cinemas”. Management, lock in and focus on providing a great experience. Go to a local AMC and feel it out, because you’re...

My wife and I just went to see James Bond at this theatre, for our anniversary. The lobby and the auditorium were immaculate. The young lady at the counter was friendly and professional.

When we took our seats we found them to be luxurious! We loved the features of the recliners and we were prepared to have a thoroughly enjoyable evening at a movie we've been waiting for, for over a year.

However, once the trailers began we became concerned because the sound seemed to be improperly adjusted. During the trailers the sound effects and soundtrack music were very loud, but the dialog was inaudible. We feared the movie would be the same. Another gentlemen got up and said he would ask someone to adjust it.

Once the movie began, it seemed that the sound balance between channels had been corrected, but the volume was so high that people were covering their ears. About 15 minutes into the movie, my wife and I couldn't take it any more and left.

The theatre, aside from this experience is actually awesome, and we will return! (With ear plugs)

EDIT:

Ok we went back this weekend, and the team at Classic Cinema Beloit has addressed our concern from last weekend, and we had a very enjoyable experience! Everything was clean, and everyone was friendly and professional. Loved the Bond movie as well.

We will return next weekend to see...

We just went to Classic Cinemas for the first time tonight and I wish we would have found this place sooner. This was easily the most enjoyable experience I’ve EVER had at a movie theater. I can honestly say that I will NEVER go back to another AMC theater if I don’t have to, and I’ve been an AMC Stubs member for over 5 years. Here’s what sets Classic Cinemas apart from AMC. The ticket prices were more than reasonable. $8 for adults and $6 for kids. AMC is easily double that! We got a large popcorn and a large Icee for $13, and no matter what size you order, you get free refills!! Every staff member we encountered was welcoming, friendly, and attentive. I noticed more than 1 employee cleaning the counters and soda/icee station. You don’t get that kind of attention to detail at AMC. The overall cleanliness of the theater was hands down the cleanest theater I’ve been in. The theater, lobby, and restrooms were exceptionally clean. Lastly, the recliners in the theater are amazing. Not only do they recline, but they are heated as well. And unlike AMC, the cup holders aren’t disgusting and covered in sticky, leftover soda. Overall, this was an amazing experience at the movies, and one I will be sharing with as many people as possible. This place is a hidden gem! I will most definitely be coming back to...