Classic Cinemas Carpentersville XQ

The Meadowdale Cinema I & II opened at the shopping center of the same name on March 25, 1970 with Hayley Mills in “In Search of the Castaways” & Charles Aznavour in “The Adventurers”. It was operated by the Besinger family, as a twin, with both auditoriums seating 1,300. It was leased to the General Cinemas Corp. chain. The theatre became a quad on December 20, 1974 when two more auditoriums were added, and four years later on October 28, 1977, one of the original 650 seat auditoriums was twinned.

On March 25, 1990, Classic Cinemas took over the Meadowdale and remodeled it, including new seats, carpeting, concession area and a large neon sculpture in the lobby area. On July 20 1994, two more screens were added, and a year later on April 27, 1995, four more screens were built, bringing the total to twelve. The theater is known as the Cinema 12 with 2,685-seats.

Auditorium 1 features a 50 feet screen with digital projection and 3D. Auditorium 10 also has digital projection and 3D. All auditoriums have HPS 8000 digital sound. By 2025 the seating capacity had been reduced to 989-seats.

Recent comments (view all 13 comments)

Paul Fortini on June 29, 2007 at 3:53 am

I saw the pictures of this place in the Classic Cinemas website. Was it ever a General Cinemas theatre? The lettering on the signs is similar to other GCs.

William on October 22, 2009 at 7:40 pm

At one time this former GCC theatre was equipped with Sensurround.

CSWalczak on April 13, 2010 at 3:42 am

An article about the Cinema 12 on the occasion of its fortieth anniversary: View link

ChasSmith on December 7, 2010 at 4:07 am

Does this theater still have its 1970s-era “GCC shadowbox”? I don’t know how old this web page is, but scroll down 9 pictures or so to see it:

http://tinyurl.com/2woo3mw

cvillemoviewatcher on January 16, 2012 at 4:14 pm

This is a great community theater for the price. Even though it is a little old, they have up to date movies, free refills on all popcorn and drinks and is very clean. This is the first choice for our family. Great movies, great prices and great service!

DavidZornig on March 19, 2014 at 12:19 am

Originally opened as the Meadowdale Cinema I & II. Just added a 1972 print ad to the photos section.

50sSNIPES on October 27, 2022 at 4:21 pm

The Meadowdale Cinema I & II opened on March 25, 1970 with Walt Disney’s “The Castaways” at Screen 1 and Charles Aznavour in “The Adventurers” at Screen 2.

50sSNIPES on March 22, 2024 at 8:48 pm

General Cinema operated the theater until Classic Cinemas took it over on March 25, 1990.

50sSNIPES on July 23, 2025 at 12:22 am

Now known as Classic Cinemas Carpentersville XQ.

ridethectrain on September 15, 2025 at 2:30 am

Please update, theatre became 4 screens on December 20, 1974, 5 screens on Ocotber 28, 1977 (Grand Opening ad posted in phtos section). 7 screens on July 8, 1994 and 12 on April 27, 1995.

General Cinemas ceased operation on March 25, 1990, Classic Cinemas took over renovated the complex and open May 12, 1990

Total Seats: 989

Theatre 1 210 XQ/DTS:X

Theatre 2 63

Theatre 3 72

Theatre 4 83

Theatre 5 82

Theatre 6 and 7 104

Theatre 8 45

Theatre 9 59

Theatre 10 58

Theatre 11 53

Theatre 12 56