Where to see The Hobbit in 48fps in Chicago (subject to change)

Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen in The Hobbit

For some of us, the chief attraction of The Hobbit has less to do with returning to Middle-earth than seeing how Peter Jackson's universe looks from a new vantage point. Jackson has shot the movie to be screened at 48 frames per second—twice the speed of 35mm sound prints and current digital cinema packages, though there is a noteworthy history of 48fps being used with celluloid. The early buzz/conjecture has been decidedly mixed; the apparent speed ("apparent" because the movie will be projected digitally—strictly speaking, there are no frames) is said to give the proceedings a hyperreal quality, which may or may not be ideal for a film set in a world of elves, goblins and orcs.

Only some theaters will have The Hobbit in 48fps. Chains have been parceling out that info piecemeal, but I asked our Warner rep if he had a complete list for the Chicago area. He provided it—with the caveat that at this early date (the movie doesn't open until December 14), it's all subject to change. Other sites are also trying to monitor the situation (hat tip to Cinema Blend for the link). Make sure to double-check when buying your tickets; presumably many (all?) of these theaters will be showing The Hobbit on multiple screens, and it's possible some of those will be at standard 24fps. The 48fps screenings will reportedly also be in 3-D, because what isn't these days?

AMC
River East
South Barrington
Village Crossing [Skokie]
Crestwood
Yorktown
Naperville
 
Kerasotes
Showplace ICON
 
Regal
City North
Cantera
 
Cinemark
Evanston
 
Marcus
Orland Park
Majestic
North Shore
Sturtevant
Point Madison
 
Classic Cinemas
Charlestowne