From Arlington, Massachusetts, to Spencer, Indiana, the United States boasts dozens of historic movie theaters still in operation today. Let’s take a look at several must-see locations.
Whether you’re into historic buildings, classic films, or modern movies, you’ll find something to love about each of these five historic movie houses.
1. Columbia Art House – Paducah, Kentucky
The Columbia Art House is one of the nation’s oldest movie theaters and is still in operation. It was built in 1927 and hosted a vaudeville theater troupe before becoming a movie house. However, the Columbia Art House doesn’t look exactly the same as in 1927.
The building saw its first renovation in the 1950s, which added an Art Deco flair. In 1965, the owners added a stained-glass ceiling. Now, the movie theater is undergoing a full restoration with plans to make it a cultural center for the community.
2. The Tivoli – Spencer, Indiana
Since 1928, the Tivoli Theatre in Spencer, Indiana, has hosted movies and live performances. Today, the theater provides affordable entertainment for locals who love modern movies and classic films.
The Historic Tivoli Theatre underwent a full restoration in 2013 and is currently owned by Owen County Preservation, a non-profit organization that partly relies on donations. Movie buffs and historic building enthusiasts can support the theater by purchasing tickets or donating.
3. Capitol Theatre – Arlington, Massachusetts
The Capitol Theatre in Arlington, Massachusetts, first opened its doors a full century ago in 1925. It features six auditoriums, all equipped with Dolby Digital sound and closed captioning devices for new-release movies.
The Capitol Theatre focuses on providing entertainment for all. Four of the six auditoriums are wheelchair-accessible, and the theater has sensory movie nights, baby-friendly matinees for caregivers, and special events.
4. Lyric Theatre – Oxford, Mississippi
The Lyric Theatre is housed in a building originally constructed in the late 19th century that served as William Faulkner’s stable. It was repurposed in the 1920s to host live performances and went on to become the town’s first movie theater.
In 1929, William Faulkner went to the theater housed by his former childhood stable to watch the world premiere of Intruder in the Dust, which was adapted from one of his novels. The theater stood abandoned for many years, from the early 1980s through 2007, when it underwent extensive restoration.
The Swanee Theatre – Kannapolis, North Carolina
The Swanee Theatre may not be the most famous on this list, but it deserves a mention. The theater was originally built in 1940 when it was one of four single-screen movie houses in Kannapolis’ downtown. It remained open until 1971.
The Swanee Theatre became vacant in the early 1970s and remained that way until 2021. It’s only recently that the doors have reopened to patrons. The theater has been remodeled to reflect its original state, with the marquee on the front the same one it had in 1940.
Enjoy a Piece of History
The five historic movie houses on this list are only a few of the many operational theaters that can be found in the United States. Check the League of American Historic Theatres for additional locations.
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