Regal Northstar — Local services in Joplin

This theater was something to behold when it first opened years ago. Unfortunately, it has fallen a long way since then. They used to have multiple concession stands so you had easier access to refreshments, but now there's only the main lobby concession stand, which is always understaffed and it literally takes 10 minutes to get a drink and popcorn every time you go, so be prepared to stand in line and wait. As for the seats, they are usually OK, though I have had a few broken ones over the years. Had some bad experiences though and the price...it's outrageous. If you go anywhere to a larger city with multiple theaters who compete against each other for prices, tickets are less than $10 for an adult to see a movie at peak time during the evening, and the seats recline and don't hurt your back and butt. You can't even see a matinee for under $10 at the theater in Joplin, and if you want to get a large popcorn and a drink, expect to pay about $15 on top of your ticket price. Joplin is in SERIOUS need of a new theater that will finally put this one out of its price gouging business, one that is willing and ready to provide a clean and accommodating atmosphere at a reasonable price.

*Update 2 - Saw Black Panther - Movie was so dark you could barely see the darker parts of the film and even the audio was hard to hear some of the dialogues. On top of that, there was also a hole or a giant smudge near the middle of the screen. Smells musty in there too. They need to close half of the theater down and start renovations on the other seven theaters, then vice versa after they've completed the first seven.

*Update 3 - Saw Greatest Showman - Per the norm, only one or two workers present at the concession stand and long lines, I took a picture this time. Also the same when I went to get a refill on my drink before they closed the concession stand. I missed over 5 mins of the movie. If a customer is standing there for a refill, that means they're missing the movie, so maybe they should take precedence. The management at this establishment is horrible if they don't teach their employees to handle customers needs first above all others. On top of all of that we were in a theater that was next to one of the stock rooms apparently, and the door where the trash is taken out. Not only could I hear the sound coming from the theater next to us, I could also hear the employees banging around in the stock room, and then about 3/4 of the way through the movie, there was a bunch of really loud banging going on right outside the doors to the theater we were in, and it sounded like they were changing out the trash bins and taking the trash out to the dumpster. This theater is in DIRE need of soundproofing. I missed part of the movie waiting on a refill, then I missed some of the lines in the movie because it was a quiet scene and there was so much external noise coming from outside our theater I missed what was said. It would appear that the only thing that will actually get any results and bring back competitive prices and up to date establishments is to just stop giving them our business altogether, forcing them to close their doors and sell to an investor who actually cares about their customers. Welcome AMC!

Update 11/18/2023- I haven't been to this theater ONCE in 5 years basically. They are a STAIN and a burden on the Joplin economy. They should close their doors and stop stealing from people who pay for overpriced tickets & concessions. Read the reviews people. Stop giving this place your money. That's the ONLY way they will close their doors for good. It's coming as soon as the new theater is built in 2024 near Sam's club, but it can't come soon enough. I really miss being able to go to the movies...

Update 3: When am I going to learn? Went to see movie here again and was late to the movie itself, because I had to wait 20 minutes in line for people to order and receive their concessions. Yes. They have somehow cut back to the point that they don’t even have people taking tickets at the ticket booth anymore. All ticket sales are done by the understaffed employee or two, who are also trying to juggle the (hilariously overpriced) concessions. There were yellow stains on the screen as usual and my seat was busted. The movie started with no sound (a Northstar classic) and I had to run back to the concessions to tell someone myself. Theater was freezing cold. Plastic bags over the many broken toilets in the bathrooms as expected. It would be sad if it wasn’t so infuriating.

Update 2: We have recently begun frequenting this theater again since subscribing to Moviepass and I kid you not, every single visit has had something wrong with our experience. Maybe the lights are left on. Maybe the sound is off. Maybe someone forgets to roll the previews. It's kind of a fun game to see just what will go wrong in your showing. How this is still happening after all these years is kind of incredible at this point.

Update 1: Today I once again made the mistake of choosing North Star. Our projector in theater 4 was out of focus the entire movie and even though multiple people repeatedly reported it, the theater staff did nothing to fix it. Theater was freezing cold too. I had a sweater and and a jacket on, with another jacket over my legs and I was still shivering. My review stands.

I have been to many theaters throughout the country and the area, but this is the worst one by far. Dirty, smelly, low quality sound, poor service, frequent technical problems, decayed screens, uncomfortable and broken seating, terrible film selection, essentially no special events or showings (this has admittedly improved over the years), and very high prices. My wife and I drive 40 minutes out of Joplin just to see movies at a different theater.

I am not exaggerating. Theaters wonder why they're having trouble getting people into seats and places like this one are the answer. This theater is run down and poorly cared for. You would be hard pressed to find a worse movie going experience.

Avoid...

The last2 times we’ve been here it’s been absolutely horrible. Unfortunately this is the ONLY movie theater in town so no other choice but we watched Aladdin, toy story 4. The AC has been out in the theaters and toy story was absolutely miserable. Extremely hot. I had my toddler with me and I went to the concession stand to ask for a large cup of water so we wouldn’t have to keep coming out and refilling those tiny complementary cups every two minutes. I didn’t want a fountain drink or anything of the sort just WATER to make sure my daughter and I stayed cooled in the theater for the next almost 2 hours. There is a manager named Devin or Devon or something like that and also another boy who cleans the theaters who were extremely rude. When the person at the concession informed me that I couldn’t get a large cup I asked for a manager so that I could see if he had the authority and Devin said nope sorry you can buy the cup for 8 dollars. SO after spending almost 30 on tickets and having no choice but to watch movies in hot theaters it was too hard to give a large cup to a paying customer for water to make up for the uncomfortable movie watching experience. You would think with That they would finally get the AC FIXED after all this time. And they STILL haven’t gotten the AC FIXED. POOR POOR service and that manager needs to be fired. Bunch of young kids running the place like their own playground.

IN RESPONSE TO “OWNER”....... Sorrys don’t make up for the poor customer service and also the terrible experience unfortunately TWICE in a row!!!!! And also you are apparently not hearing what my full complaint was. Your staff there needs attitude checks 💯 AND the AC needs to get fixed for your business’s sake. We won’t be going back and we look forward to the NEW IMAX opening. to anyone reading this....WEBB CITY has a small family owned theater which is FANTASTIC!! The 66 drive in is another choice! I appreciate your time the OWNER of regal BUT I tried talking to corporate and...