Movie Memories in Seekonk

It’s time to say goodbye to another Route 6 establishment.

Movie memories are all we’re left with as Showcase Cinemas Seekonk Route 6 posted on its website over the weekend that it was shutting down.

"We are sad to let you know that Showcase Cinemas Seekonk Route 6 is closing," the cinema posted. "It has been our pleasure to serve the southern Massachusetts community with great movie-going for many years. Due to a business decision January 5, 2025 will be our last day of cinema operations.”

I, like many, remember when it was built. It was the late 1990s and Seekonk was the place to go for movies.

Not too far down the road, you had the 1-10 and even the 11-12 across the street. Remember that? Shortly after the Route 6 location opened its doors the 11-12 closed, but Seekonk held on to two huge theaters for some time. The 1-10 theater closed its doors in 2010.

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Allow me to set the scene: the weekend was approaching and new movies were coming out. You’d open the paper (yes, an actual newspaper) and flip to the local showtimes. I grew up in Riverside, Rhode Island, just minutes away from Seekonk.

The best part about living nearby? Just about everything was playing between the 1-10 and Rt. 6 theaters. Once you made your selection, chances are you double-checked which theater you were driving to before hitting the road. 

In December of 1997, Showcase Cinemas Route 6 had a spark unlike any other as thousands of moviegoers filled the seats to see Jack and Rose fall in love on their fateful journey aboard the Titanic. My mom went to the theater to purchase physical tickets. In fact, she still has the ticket stub.

Our family arrived early to save enough seats because that’s what you did when going to the movies in the 90s. The cinema was alive, and all concession stands were open; I think that was the one and only time I’ve ever seen them used. 

It was my first time seeing a three-plus-hours movie, so naturally a bathroom break was needed. Mine was ill-timed because I returned during the scene when the boat was taking on water and losing power. You try finding your family in a dark theater while the screen flickers. It’s difficult!

Nearly 30 years have gone by since we saw Titanic and it’s still the first thing I think of when I drive by. Gone are the days of finding showtimes in the newspaper. Technology has changed the way we select our seats – and now, we bid adieu to watching movies at Showcase Cinemas Route 6. 

Wondering what will happen to the space? The area will be the home of a new Market Basket location.