Enhanced Cinema Experience: AMC Theatres Complete Major Seating Upgrade Across Manhattan Flagship Locations

Two of AMC’s premier New York City venues have officially finished ambitious renovations aimed at revolutionizing guest comfort. Over a seven-month period, AMC Empire 25 and AMC Lincoln Square 13 have undergone substantial seating replacements, with more than 4,000 new seats installed throughout their traditional auditoriums.

The New Generation of Plush Rockers

The centerpiece of this renovation involves the latest generation of AMC Club Rockers – seating engineered for enhanced comfort and durability. These plush rockers deliver a 23% wider seat profile compared to previous models, moving away from conventional fabric materials in favor of premium leather-like upholstery. The shift represents a meaningful step forward in addressing what has long been a consideration for moviegoers: adequate personal space and quality materials during extended viewing sessions.

At AMC Lincoln Square 13, the improvements extend beyond seat width. Most reseated auditoriums now feature approximately 10 additional inches of legroom, complementing the wider seating arrangement. Fresh flooring and upgraded audio systems complete the comprehensive refresh, with new speakers delivering enhanced surround sound quality across non-premium large format venues.

Strategic Rollout and Market Response

This seating initiative builds on earlier implementations at premium AMC locations. AMC Club Rockers first debuted at AMC Burbank 16 in Los Angeles during summer 2024, establishing a proof-of-concept for the expanded rollout. The subsequent installations at the two Manhattan locations represent the second and third facilities nationwide to transition to this enhanced seating model.

The timing proves significant: AMC’s top-performing theaters by revenue include precisely these three locations – Burbank, Lincoln Square, and Empire. Leadership attributes improved guest satisfaction metrics directly to the plush rocker installations, noting dramatic upticks in visitor feedback across these venues.

Technical Enhancements and Premium Formats

Both Manhattan theaters maintain cutting-edge projection technology throughout their traditional auditoriums, featuring Laser at AMC systems that deliver superior brightness, contrast definition, and color accuracy. Premium auditoriums continue offering multiple high-end format options, including IMAX at AMC, Dolby Cinema at AMC, and PRIME at AMC, all equipped with laser projection technology.

Future Expansion Plans

AMC’s executive leadership has signaled momentum beyond these three installations. CEO Adam Aron confirmed that additional high-traffic AMC theaters across the U.S. circuit have been identified as candidates for plush rocker deployment. The project, initiated in early September 2024, concluded at AMC Lincoln Square 13 in November 2024, with final completion at AMC Empire 25 occurring in mid-April 2025.

The renovation strategy reflects a decade-long company commitment to prioritizing moviegoer comfort through venue improvements, proving feasible even at the chain’s highest-attendance locations without sacrificing significant seating capacity – a challenge that previous upgrade iterations couldn’t overcome.