Movie Theater Complaint

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You can make a complaint about a movie theater for not using open captions or for other violations.

What Happens Next

To receive follow up on your request, you must provide your address. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will mail you a complaint form, which you must complete and return. If you also provide an email address with your Service Request, you will receive the form by email instead. Be sure to check your spam folder in addition to your inbox.

DCWP will consider your complaint a tip if you do not provide your address.

Open captions are the written, on-screen display of what is happening in the motion picture. This helps moviegoers who are deaf and hard of hearing. 

Movie theaters in New York City that offer more than 10 movie showings in a week must use open captions in some of their showings.

Movie theaters also must advertise the date and time of open-captioned showings the same way they advertise all other showings. Ads must state which showings include open captions.

These rules do not apply to private screening facilities that don’t show movies to a general audience.

Learn more about open caption rules in movie theaters.

You can make a complaint about a movie theater for:

  • False or misleading advertising
  • Minors present during school hours
  • Overcharge

The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection does not accept reports of rude employee behavior. You should report this type of complaint to the business.

For reports of discrimination, go to the Discrimination page.

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection can help you with complaints about businesses in New York City. For complaints about businesses elsewhere, contact the local Consumer Affairs office or the State Attorney General's office.

Online

Learn how to file a complaint for a business outside of NYC.

By Phone

  • Agency: Nassau County Consumer Affairs
  • Phone Number: (516) 571-2600
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Agency: Suffolk County Consumer Affairs
  • Phone Number: (631) 853-4600
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Agency: Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection
  • Phone Number: (914) 995-2155
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Agency: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
  • Phone Number: (973) 504-6200
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

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