Showplace Icon Theatre opens in the Boro development, bringing super-luxury moviegoing to Tysons Cor

July 2024 · 2 minute read

The Washington area’s ultra-high-end cinema offerings just got noticeably more ... stratospheric.

The 72,000-square-foot, 14-screen Showplace Icon Theatre opened in Tysons this month with all the amenities you might expect from a boutique cinema. These amenities include: reserved recliner seating; specialty cocktails (the Blueberry Manhattan features Bulleit Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, blueberry puree, pineapple and chocolate bitters); craft beer; and such chef-inspired fare as cauliflower “wings” and blackened salmon with ponzu glaze.

The popcorn doesn’t just come with a butter option, but for around $9, you can treat yourself to one of two varieties of the movie-house staple — on steroids: the first topped with bacon, and the second coated with caramel and tossed with roasted, glazed pecans.

Coming attractions: The rise of luxury movie theaters.

The seventh such venue from Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, a boutique chain with outlets in Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Mountain View, Calif., San Jose and Secaucus, N.J., the Tysons Showplace Icon is one of the anchors of the Boro, a mixed-use

development that also boasts the Mid-Atlantic’s flagship Whole Foods store: a brand new 70,000-square-foot temple to food that’s large enough to get lost in, with a massive, multi-cuisine food hall, bar and game room.

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In the area’s competitive high-end moviegoing game — a market that already features several swanky cinemas under the Alamo Drafthouse, Angelika, ArcLight, iPic and Landmark brands — the $20 million-plus Showplace Icon has moved the ball forward in a way that makes moviegoing feel, suddenly, not just self-indulgent, but sinfully decadent.

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With premium “IconX” theaters that come equipped with 4K laser projection, Dolby Atmos sound — delivered via as many as 60 speakers — and wall-to-wall screens featuring something called RealD Ultimate screen technology.

With bathroom sinks outfitted with Dyson hand dryers built into the faucets themselves (as if turning to grab a paper towel was simply too much to ask).

With a sit-down bistro for dining and cocktails.

And with super-plush recliners that come with built-in, swiveling tabletops, adjustable headrests and heated seats. I repeat, heated seats.

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Free screenings were offered earlier this month during the theater’s soft opening, but ticket prices have now settled back into the range that is to be expected for posh theaters like this: $15 for non-premium adult tickets, and $18 for IconX. Discounts will still be offered for seniors, children, military personnel, special date night twofers, all Tuesday screenings and through membership plans.

Icon Showplace Theatre at the Boro. 1667 Silver Hill Dr., McLean. showplaceicon.com.

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