Are These The Best Movie Houses in America?

I love the Alamo Drafthouse so much that I'm there every weekend. The South Lamar location is my fave though....

Reply

The State Theater in Traverse City, MI, which is owned and operated by the non-profit Traverse City Film Festival is certainly one of the finest movie houses in America. Michael Moore, who lives nearby, led the drive to renovate the State, which is the center of the Traverse City Film Fest. The projection system is the same one used at the American Film Institute and Skywalker Ranch. The theater is staffed by community volunteers, and has been the number one theater in box office of the houses showing the same film 13 times in the last year. The theater recently celebrated it's 250,000th ticket sold in just over 16 months of operation in a town whose population is just over 14,000. Tickets cost $8 and a large popcorn is 3 bucks, and we get to see films which NEVER come to the cineplex.

Reply

The Alamo is my favorite too, but like you she's two hundred miles away; so I'm gonna have to cheat on her. Coraline for a buck fifty five miles down the highway is kinda nice. The ambiance is the pits tho. It's got to have a good clean screen, clean comfortable seats, stadium seating, good sound (like Goldilocks: not too loud not loud enough but just right) and the uncontrollable ephemera of the movie going audience tilted in my favour. But still, I'd still like to go see a reissue of The Wrath of Khan and see Nimoy walk out. Nothing will top that...nothing.

Reply

The Alameda Theater, in Alameda, CA, has recently undergone a major renovation. It has been restored to it deco glory. They show classic films during the week, except during summer blockbuster season.

Reply

Coolidge Corner Theater is a beautiful theater that does wonders for the community

Reply

I like the Sunshine in NYC, it's a great theater, never have had a bad experience myself, don't know about others.

I also like the Atrium in Staten Island, NY

Reply

I have to go with the IFC Center, perfect seating, not too big and just divine. The Sunshine isn't too bad, though it's not close to any specific train, so I have to walk (woe is me.) But definately, the IFC Center gets the top slot.

Reply

The AFI Silver in Silver Springs, MD is a great house. Their main hall is fantastic. They're not much about theatrics and gala events, but they're programming department is rock solid.

Reply

The Bear Tooth in Anchorage is the best place to see a flick when I town and great food and drinks to!

Reply

America is great but look outside too. The Cineopolis VIP theaters in Mexico City are shockingly good. For 10 bucks you're sitting in a brand new leather recliner and waiters come around before the show starts to bring you sushi, sandwiches and cocktails.

Reply

While I love The Riverview, it isn't the best theater in the Twin Cities, that is easily The Heights. It is a renovated art deco theater, complete with a working organ and 70mm projection.

Though The Parkway is an up and comer as well. Art deco theater that is currently undergoing renovations after decades of being a porn theater, it is owned by the resteraunt Pepitos who knocked down the wall dividing them and now serve food and alcohol from the venue at the theater. It is still a work in progress, but it has the potential to be every bit as good of a theater as The Heights.

Reply

I am so glad to see a Minneapolis Theater on the list. I think Minneapolis has three other great theaters to offer as well, the Lagoon and the Landmark in Uptown (they are right across the street from each other) are just absolutely my favorite places to see great indie films that don't get released anywhere else. The Landmark in Edina is really cool too, the Coen Brothers asked if they could preview one of their most recent films for themselves on that screen. These places are just great little city gems that I love to go to on a day off.

Reply

Naro Cinema in Norfolk, VA. Old building, red curtains, old movie posters, and a SILENT AUDIENCE...what more can you want? They have these movie series from time to time, with experts and movie critics and discussions...You have to get in line about 2 hours in advance (if you're obsessed like me and have to sit in the middle towards the front) for these series. Nothing beats discussing Hitchcock on a Monday evening...

Reply

A fantastic topic that needs to be discussed more often. I’ve been distributing indie films to arthouse theaters across the US over the last six years and from a programming perspective and unique movie going experience these are the best venues in the country… to name just a few.

Arclight - Hollywood CA
Vista Theater - Los Feliz CA
Nuart Theatre - Santa Monica CA
Detroit Institute of Art Film Theater – Detroit MI
Music Box – Chicago IL
Alamo Draft House – Austin TX
The Castro Theater – San Francisco CA
The Michigan Theater – Ann Arbor MI
IFC Center – New York NY
George Eastman House – Rochester NY
Starz Film Center – Denver CO
The Crest Theater – Sacramento CA
Cleveland Cinematheque – Cleveland OH
Enzian Theater – Maitland FL
Cornell Cinema – Ithaca NY
Century 5 Cinearts – Pleasant Hill CA
The Lagoon Cinema – Minneapolis MN
The Magnolia Theater – Dallas TX

Reply

The Warren Theaters in Kansas are astounding, a tribute to the grand movie cathedrals of the 30's with deco decor, white-gloved ushers, heated, comfy Tempurpedic seats, full (and unobtrusive, really!) table service, gorgeous THX sound and sublime sight lines.

And I second the comment on the AFI Theatre in Silver Spring MD. The programming is sensational.

Reply

The Ziegfield theater in NYC can be an amazing experience. I have had many great times there.
I have written about that theater in the past-link below
Seeing Jurassic Park there was my all-time favorite moviegoing experience.Just incredible.

http://blog.entertainmenttodayandbeyond.com/memorable-movie-moments/


chuck

Reply