East Providence Cinemas

60 Newport Avenue,
East Providence, RI 02916

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Cinema Holdings, Empire Cineplex Cinemas, Entertainment Cinemas, Patriot Cinemas

Previous Names: Four Seasons Cinemas, Entertainment Cinemas East Providence 1-10, Patriot Cinemas 10, East Providence 10

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News About This Theater

East Providence Cinema front entrance

Opened on January 12, 1966 as the Four Seasons Cinemas with just two screens, showing first run attractions either exclusively in the greater Providence area or else day/dating with other area theatres. They had 70mm projection capability. From time to time they played first run art house fare. Additional screening rooms were added over the years until a major overhaul a few years ago made it into a 10-screen multiplex opened by Entertainment Cinemas on July 23, 1993 as the East Providence 1-10.

A great place to see recent films at low prices in a fairly luxurious ambience after their first run engagements. This East Providence (Rumford) theatre is near the Pawtucket city line and was the city’s only active movie theatre. Operated by Patriot Cinemas as a discount second run multiplex, it was next operated by the Cinema Holdings Group. In 2013 it was operated by Empire Cineplex Cinemas and closed on January 18, 2020. It was demolished in December 2020.

Contributed by Gerald A. DeLuca

Recent comments (view all 39 comments)

DocWatson
DocWatson on June 13, 2019 at 7:50 am

I just saw Shazam! and Long Shot there tonight (Wednesday); tickets were $3.00, plus a small popcorn was free with each one (a special; weekly I believe). While it’s obviously seen better days, it’s clean and in decent shape (barring a bloc of about four seats missing from one of the theaters). Posters for movies from the past few years are still up, plus a more-than-life-sized cardboard cutout for 2016’s The Huntsman: Winter’s War by the entrance. Note that it’s set back from the main road, Newport Avenue, behind other buildings and off a side street (Narragansett Park Drive), though the marquee is on Newport.

mp775
mp775 on January 21, 2020 at 8:35 pm

The theater was shut down Saturday by the City when the $9,250 check to renew their licenses bounced. They reopened today after paying with a cashier’s check.

https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20200121/east-providence-cinema-shut-down-due-to-bad-check-allowed-to-reopen

mp775
mp775 on February 23, 2020 at 12:50 am

Apparently they haven’t reopened, and the theater is now boarded up and padlocked. https://www.golocalprov.com/news/east-providence-cinemas-boarded-up-and-padlocked?fbclid=IwAR1EmST3XSHfrHk0-XNMdQy5n0Yj3fLCTKUfmuXo3qRRfR-oo8X7scYA1EQ

mp775
mp775 on August 27, 2020 at 1:10 am

The building is fenced off with DEMO spray painted on the front.

mp775
mp775 on December 3, 2020 at 1:49 pm

Demolished this week - https://www.golocalprov.com/news/photo-end-of-an-era-east-providence-cinemas-demolished?fbclid=IwAR1ujtlT2FPg4H1CTYMlo6iLx_IYNPMHOHYpGph3E9OrboRQ4lTIM2-2RYs

MSC77
MSC77 on January 19, 2022 at 8:54 pm

Does anyone have a more precise ownership timeline than what is given in the overview (and elsewhere online)? In particular, when did Esquire last own it, and in what year did it get renovated into its 10-screen configuration?

TCooper
TCooper on March 14, 2022 at 4:31 pm

Worked there in the mid 80’s when it was The Four Seasons Cinemas. They had an arcade to the left that was always busy.

rivest266
rivest266 on June 7, 2024 at 11:59 pm

The first two screens opened on January 12th, 1966. Grand opening ad posted.

rivest266
rivest266 on June 8, 2024 at 12:16 am

the third screen opened on June 28th, 1967. Another ad posted.

rivest266
rivest266 on June 9, 2024 at 8:42 pm

reopened on July 23rd, 1993 by Entertainment Cinemas as the East Providence 1-10. Ad posted.

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