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Here’s a Bunch of Massachusetts Independent Movie Theaters

By adam12
(Photo by Paul Marotta/Getty Images for the Coolidge Corner Theater Coolidge Award)

Massachusetts Independent Movie Theaters: for when you’re ready to ditch the chains. Hey, they should hire me for marketing!

 

Sorry, but I’m a little sour on the movie-going experience as of late. Recently, I wrote about my first trip to a chain movie theater in over a year. The movie I saw is irrelevant. The fact that I paid $35 for one movie ticket, one large popcorn, and one ICEE is relevant. For that amount of money, I could subscribe to two streaming services for a month and see unlimited movies. You see the irony here.

 

So, for the most part, I’m out on the whole going-to-the-movies experience. Which is a shame, because I have so many fond movie theater memories from when I was a kid. In fact, I just talked about a whole bunch of those in a recent 12-Inch Poll. It’s all about ’80s summer blockbusters and how going to the movies was fun and more affordable back in the day. Check that out here.

 

Here’s a Bunch of Massachusetts Independent Movie Theaters

The more I think about the whole thing, though, the more I realize that the answer to my grousing isn’t in some time machine (Back to the Future reference, baby!) It’s in Salem, MA. And in a few other areas around the city. Independent movie theaters are still alive and kicking in the Commonwealth, and they offer affordable tickets and a mix of old and new fare.

 

To help myself out–and to help you, too–I’ve gathered a handful of indie movie theaters that are in and around Boston. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, so please cut me some slack if I miss your favorite. Just drop me a line on the ROCK 92.9 Facebook or Twitter and I’ll add it in next time around. And now, to quote Gregg Turkington: “It’s movie time!”

  • Coolidge Corner Theatre

    The legend, since 1933. Coolidge Corner, Brookline. I remember going on a date here in the late ’90s and watching David Lynch’s Eraserhead. Changed my life.

  • Brattle Theatre

    Located just outside of Harvard Square in Cambridge, The Brattle has been showing movies since 1953. Pretty sure I saw my first Wes Anderson film here: 1998’s Rushmore.

  • Somerville Theatre

    Locally-owned and independent, the Somerville Theatre is a double-threat: live music and movies. And the movies are a double-threat, too: classic and newer fare.

  • Capitol Theatre

    On Mass. Ave. in Arlington. Opened in 1925, the Capitol is closing in on the century mark. It’s a great place to see a movie, and they’ll even let you rent one of their auditoriums!

  • Dedham Community Theatre

    Another old-school theatre that’s still alive and well. This one opened in 1927 in downtown Dedham. $12 matinees before 1 p.m. I like the sound of that.

  • Maynard Fine Arts Theatre

    Revamped and reopened in 2022, you can find them on Summer St. in Maynard. “Our retro themed theatre has modern amenities and reasonable prices.”

  • Cinema Salem

    This one’s on the back end of the Witch City Mall in Salem. $11 tickets for adults, $9 for seniors and kids. Affordable. A great space with a great vibe.

  • Little Art Cinema

    An arthouse cinema on Cape Ann, this one’s been going strong in Rockport for years. I wonder if they’ll let me come down and warm up the crowd?

  • Lexington Venue

    Smack-dab on Mass. Ave. in Lexington. I saw the Mr. Rogers documentary on a date there a few years back. Lovely theatre, lovely time.

    Not only does Oppenheimer star some big names but it's also the big screen debut of former Lexington resident Steve Saltman playing "guy at thing".

    Posted by Lexington Venue on Thursday, July 27, 2023
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