• Reel Moms at AMC Loews 34th Street

  312 W. 34th St., 212-244-8846

  Parenthood changes a lot of things—but movies on Saturday morning? It sounds strange until you consider the alternative: No movies, ever. Reel Moms has gotten its share of good publicity, and deserves it. The service lets parents of pre-crawlers check out current, grown-up, even R-rated titles at special showings with lowered decibels (so as not to spook the kid) and the house lights up (makes feeding easier). The screenings have evolved into a kind of early-morning cocktail-party scene, with popcorn and Diet Coke replacing wine and cheese, and the Saturday slot means working moms and stay-at-homes alike can join in. Regulars arrive early to chat by the stroller-parking area in the lobby. There’s no charge beyond the usual adult-price tickets, which go on sale the morning of the show.

From the 2006 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine