A new movie theatre joins the array in Bloomington-Normal

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – A new movie theater in Bloomington-Normal offers premium experiences at affordable prices.

Golden Ticket Cinemas took over the old ‘New Vision Theatre’ on the east side of Bloomington. The theatre opened on Friday, and Director of Media Relations Joe Horton said that this is the first location in Illinois, and this brings the chain to a total of 22 theatres across the country. 

“We try to make it a premium experience, we have our recliners that are all heated, we also have self-serve popcorn where you can get your own bucket,” Horton said. “You have your own drinks that you could fill up and then the on-tap beer wall that we’ll be opening at the Hollywood Ale House, where you can tap the card and pour whatever beer you want.” 

Golden Ticket Cinemas often caters to its local community in several ways. For example, Horton said the on-tap beer will offer national brands, but also beer from local breweries. 

“A few Ale House brewing companies here locally have even offered to make ales based on the movies that are coming out. We’re working closely with one to create a golden ticket beer for us specifically,” Horton said. “I would say more than 75% of the 32 taps we have will be local breweries.” 

Golden Ticket Cinemas also wants to cater to Illinois State University. Horton said one of his favorite parts of opening a new theatre is getting to communicate with the local community and schools. 

“We are very open to play special films, the theatre is a great place to have meetings, a great place for the arts to have seminars,” Horton said. “We will be open to and very accepting of any ideas that the campus might have, as well as we look to work very closely with them and try our best to get what they want.” 

The chain aims to be an “experience” and not just a theatre, which Horton said he believes Bloomington-Normal has been missing out on. As this is the community’s fourth theatre, there is plenty of competition, but Horton does not see it this way. 

“Competing is not necessarily our thought process here for us, we know there is a group of people in this town that wants a little more than just seeing a movie,” Horton said. “I think we’re just going to be a little different, I don’t see us exactly like them, I think we are going to be the experience theater, not just the movie theater.” 

Golden Ticket Cinemas is open every day of the week, and tickets range from $5.75 to $12.