UPDATED: April 25, 2016 at 7:18 p.m.

All year long, I have written about various topics in the film industry, including what movies are in theaters now to what the hot new trend of the future will be. One thing I don’t often write about, however, is the literal experience of going to a movie.

Part of the reason I love film is the magical experience of actually going to see one. Nothing beats being in that dark theater with a friend or loved one, experiencing a story together. Plus, the smell of popcorn is an added bonus. If you want to catch a movie in Syracuse, you actually have more options than you think.

Naturally, the first movie theater people will think of is the Regal Cinemas at Destiny USA. It’s a huge theater, but that’s not always a bad thing. Regal Cinemas is very clean and has auditoriums, both big and small.

One of the things I love about the theater in Destiny is that because there are so many screens, you can catch both the biggest blockbuster and a new indie film. Regal actually makes a pretty valiant effort to bring smaller-platform films to Syracuse. Though it feels ironic to view them in a corporate setting such as the mall, this does not take away from the fact that the films are available.

Though one is quick to think of Regal as the go-to movie theater, it is not the only option in the area, or even at a mall. ShoppingTown Mall is not as busy, but the movie theater inside is surprisingly nice. Like Destiny, it is also a Regal movie theater. This means you have the amenities that come with a professional movie theater chain, though it is a bit smaller than Destiny’s.

While Destiny is great for an entire night of entertainment with the various restaurants and shops, the Regal at ShoppingTown is a great option if you just want to see a movie without any of the hassle. The theaters are extremely nice and renovated, and you will be able to relax more than you would at Destiny.

While Destiny and ShoppingTown are megaplexes, there are also nice options in Syracuse for a smaller, local feel. Regal does a great job bringing indie films to its theaters, but sometimes nothing can beat a small, family run theater showing the latest platform film.

You can find such a small theater at the Manlius Art Cinema. Here there is only one screen, and generally only one show time per day. The theater is extremely long but not huge, and the concession stand is limited. With that said, tickets and concessions are significantly cheaper than they are at the big chains, and I can say from personal experience that the popcorn is delicious. They only take cash, but there are ATM’s conveniently located in the area. Outside the theater, there are great areas to walk around and get food as well. If you’re looking to see a smaller film and you want to escape the hustle and bustle of malls, this local spot is a great option.

Finally, while we already have these great options, a new theater called Movie Tavern will be opening in Syracuse this summer. I anticipate Movie Tavern becoming a great success, as they will tout reclining seats and food that extends beyond the traditional concession fare.

While you might need a car to get to Manlius Art Cinema, there is always a bus to Destiny or ShoppingTown on the weekends. Movies are meant to be seen on the big screen, and though sometimes you may feel landlocked on campus, there are plenty of options if you want to see a new film you’re excited about.

Erik Benjamin is a sophomore television, radio and film major. His column appears weekly in Pulp. You can email him at ebenjami@syr.edu or follow him @embenjamin14 on Twitter.

CORRECTION: In a previous version of this article, the transportation available to ShoppingTown was misstated. There is a bus that goes to ShoppingTown. The Daily Orange regrets this error.

Published on April 24, 2016 at 9:17 pm