A Guide to the U.S.’s Most Unique Independent Movie Theatres!

In Sean Baker’s acceptance speech for winning the Academy Award for Best Director in 2024, he gave his "battle cry" for people to return to "movie theaters, especially independently-owned theaters," to "keep the great tradition of the moviegoing experience alive and well," particularly after their struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, let’s heed his call. Here you will find 9 of the most unique and historical independently-owned theaters in the United States, from San Francisco’s Roxie to The Brattle Theatre. With each providing a distinctive atmosphere, let yourself travel, whether near or far, to a venue that supports a good cause and truly brings movies to life, unlike any at-home experience. 

1. The Roxie Theater, San Francisco, CA

Located in the Mission District of San Francisco, The Roxie Theater is a premiere independent and nonprofit theater. Functioning as a community-driven arthouse cinema, its curated programming cannot be beat, ranging from foreign films to documentaries to other indie films that otherwise miss the mainstream multiplexes. As one of the oldest continuously operated theaters in the United States, founded in the early-1900s, The Roxie has proven its continued loyalty to moviegoers and its passion for delivering movie experiences even outside of the screen, bringing filmmakers, entertainers, and educators of all kinds to engage with audiences and further enrich what in-person viewing has to offer.

2. New Beverly Cinema, Los Angeles, CA

This landmark movie theater operates out of a Beverly Hills building constructed in the 1920s, making it one of the region’s oldest revival houses. You may know it, though, because of its famous owner, award-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, who purchased the cinema in 2007. Its particular dedication to celluloid features makes it a unique place to see films, pulling us back to the material craft of the 35mm film. With Tarantino deciding a large part of the monthly programming, you're sure to see a movie well worth your dollar.

3. Austin Film Society Cinema, Austin, TX

Originating in 1985, AFS centers both filmmakers and viewers in their watching experience. Spurred by the creative vision of their founder, filmmaker Richard Linklater, the Austin Film Society uplifts Texas as a creative hub and aspiring mediamakers through dedication to public programming. With only two screens, the AFS Cinema provides an intimate movie-watching atmosphere with specially selected indie and foreign films that are sure to give you something to think and talk about.

4. State Theatre, Washington, IA

If the Guinness World Records recognizes it as the oldest continually operating movie theater in the world, then surely the historic experience is worth the trip in and of itself. Opening initially as an Opera House in 1893, it screened its first film only four years later on May 14, 1897, using one of the first-ever film cameras, the cinematograph. Fridley Theatres, a family-owned, regionally based company, maintains the State Theatre’s longstanding legacy and is dedicated to bringing viewers some of the hottest, newest feature films.

5. Rivoli Theatre, Cedarburg, WI

Although the Rivoli Theatre may be small and located in a quaint Wisconsin town, do not let its single screen fool you, because this theater is steadfast in its mission to bring you pictures that will make you happy. Formerly the Boerner Brothers Dry Goods Store, constructed in the late-1800s, it has since been transformed into a lively theater as of January 1936. Devoted to fostering connections that make Cedarburg’s uniquely friendly culture, it prides itself on continuing to sell cash-only tickets at an affordable price, highlighting the importance of movie-going as a universally accessible experience.

6. Music Box Theatre, Chicago, IL

Only a few blocks from Wrigley Field, the Music Box Theatre is a well-loved Chicago gem dating back to 1929 and converted to an arthouse and repertory theater in the early-1980s. With a wide array of films, from classics to indie, this is the perfect place for cinephiles and casual moviegoers alike to watch a good flick. With interior upgrades over the summer of 2024, the Music Box grants a comfortable and extravagant movie-going experience, akin to a Broadway theater.

7. The Princeton Garden Theatre, Princeton, NJ

Owned by Princeton University after they saved it from being demolished in 1993, the Princeton Garden Theatre stands strong as a Golden Age cinema, operating since September 1920. It provides a classic movie-watching experience, retrofitted with new, high-quality projectors and comfy seating, of course. It's a community staple dedicated to offering a diverse selection of features, with an emphasis on education and outreach initiatives, despite its small size. Nestled in the walkable, flourishing town of Princeton, the theater is a great spot to bring a loved one to get lost in the big screen.

8. Film Forum, New York City, NY

Standing proud as New York City’s lead non-profit movie theater, you must add Film Forum to your must-visit list. Focused on showing the best independent art films from the U.S. and abroad, the Film Forum is a perfect Greenwich Village getaway to take you out of the bustling city life and into a thought-provoking narrative feature or documentary. With 4 screens and 365-day programming, the Film Forum does not play when it comes to giving voices to those often overlooked indie films, uplifting filmmaker and audience voices alike and bringing you movies you may never have otherwise seen.

9. The Brattle Theatre, Cambridge, MA

Only housing one screen, this repertory movie theater opened in 1953 and sits just outside of Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. From cult classics to foreign films to arthouse, The Brattle screens select repertory choices and featured premieres, in addition to an amuse-bouche of author readings and educational programming. On May 6, they hosted Parts 1 and 2 of "GRRL HAUS CINEMA", a collection of the best of shorts in collaboration with the film series in Berlin, Germany, that highlights women, trans, and non-binary filmmakers through a wide variety of mediums.

So what are you waiting for? Make your community and your day brighter by keeping these theaters and any other independent theaters near you open. Their doors are wide open, waiting to welcome you in and transport you to another reality. Who knows, you might even find your next all-time favorite. And, if not, you’ll definitely have a great time watching.