Icon Cinema opens in Kickingbird Plaza

After a wait of many months, the new Icon Cinema opened its doors earlier this year, replacing Kickingbird Cinemas near the corner of Danforth and Bryant. This family-owned theater has captured the attention of locals, providing a unique and welcoming movie-watching experience.

Icon Cinema’s origins

The first Icon Cinema opened in Roswell, New Mexico, 11 years ago. Since then, Edwin Snell has been running the theaters with his family.

“My family owned the original three that they started,” Snell said, “and my brothers and I oversee those operations.”

Different family members run other locations. Snell explained, “My two older brothers opened their own personal theaters while I own the one in Edmond.”

In addition to the Edmond location, Icon Cinema has locations in Oklahoma City, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque, and San Angelo. They plan on opening additional locations as well.

The Edmond location

In March 2020, Kickingbird Cinemas closed down for the pandemic. Although Edmondites didn’t realize it at the time, they were never to open under the old ownership again.

By mid-2021, posters outside the theater let the public know about the new owner. The Icon Cinema poster hung next to pre-COVID movie posters, symbolically representing the location’s past and future. 

Snell intended to purchase just the seating from the previous owners but ended up buying the whole building to start his own operation. Then in May of 2022, Icon Cinema opened in Edmond. Many residents were happy to see the location remain an independent and family-owned operation.

What sets the theater apart is its commitment to creating a friendly and enjoyable environment for moviegoers. “We’re a night out at the movies,” Snell said.” You should be greeted at the door, welcomed in. Everything should be extremely clean.”

Additionally, Icon Cinema offers a unique self-serve concession system, providing unlimited refills for popcorn, drinks, and ice in the lobby, enhancing the movie-watching experience.

Community involvement

Notably, Edwin Snell himself has embraced the Edmond community. He has relocated to the area and is actively involved in the theater’s day-to-day operations. “I even moved here myself and absolutely love the area. So it’s been a really nice reception from the community so far,” shared Snell.

The Snell family’s dedication to providing an exceptional cinema experience has not gone unnoticed. As Snell’s middle brother works on opening a new theater in Enid, Oklahoma, the family envisions expanding their brand one location at a time.