New York’s AMC Kips Bay Theater Closes on Jan. 3; CEO Says ‘AMC Wants to Stay’ but NYU Langone ‘Wants Us Gone’

After more than two decades as a cornerstone of Manhattan’s entertainment scene, the AMC Kips Bay 15 movie theater is scheduled to cease operations on January 3. This closure stems from real estate developments involving the nearby NYU Langone Health system, which is moving forward with plans to expand its medical facilities in the area.

The Kips Bay theater, located at 570 Second Avenue, has been a beloved destination for local moviegoers since its original opening in 1999. AMC took over the 15-screen multiplex in 2006, making it the chain’s second-largest venue in New York City behind the Empire 25 in Times Square. In recent years, the venue has experienced a resurgence in popularity, frequently ranking among the top 10 most attended AMC theaters nationwide during peak periods.

Despite the theater’s strong attendance and cultural significance, the property owner has terminated AMC’s lease in anticipation of the building’s acquisition by NYU Langone. The health system aims to enlarge its adjacent facilities to meet growing demands, which necessitates repurposing the building currently housing the theater, a bank, and a Fairway supermarket—all slated to close.

AMC’s leadership has expressed a clear desire to continue operating the Kips Bay location, emphasizing the theater’s vital role in the community and its promising operational outlook. However, according to statements reported by variety.com, the company’s attempts to negotiate alternative arrangements with NYU Langone have so far been unsuccessful. Proposals included reducing the theater’s footprint or modifying the existing structure to accommodate both the hospital’s expansion and the cinema’s presence. These options have reportedly been rejected without engagement.

The impending closure has ignited a notable response from local residents and elected officials, including Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal and New York State Assembly Member Keith Powers. Both have advocated publicly for preserving the theater, underscoring its value as a cultural and social hub in Kips Bay. Community members have organized protests to voice opposition to the shutdown, demonstrating the theater’s importance beyond mere entertainment.

While the summer box office has achieved record-breaking success with blockbusters such as “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “Toy Story 5” driving ticket sales, the Kips Bay audience will have limited time to experience upcoming major releases like “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Dune: Part III” at their neighborhood venue before the lights go dark.

The situation highlights the often-competing interests between urban development and cultural preservation, with AMC caught between honoring its lease commitments and the realities of a city’s evolving landscape. The theater’s closure is not due to financial underperformance but rather external factors tied to real estate ownership and institutional expansion.

AMC’s CEO has publicly appealed to NYU Langone to reconsider and collaborate on a solution that allows the hospital’s growth without displacing the theater entirely. He framed this as a possible win-win scenario for the community, balancing critical healthcare infrastructure needs with the preservation of a cherished entertainment venue.

As the January deadline approaches, the future of moviegoing in Kips Bay remains uncertain. The closure of AMC Kips Bay 15 marks the end of an era for a theater that has served thousands daily and stood as both a cultural landmark and a neighborhood gathering place since the late 1990s. Whether a last-minute agreement can be reached or the theater’s lights will permanently dim, the episode underscores ongoing tensions in urban centers between development priorities and community assets.