The 14 best movie theaters in Chicago

For movie lovers who aren’t out to see the latest Hollywood blockbusters, there's no better theater than the Music Box, a two-screen cinema that shows the latest art-house films and documentaries. The theater itself is gorgeous, and regularly hosts director Q&As as well as weekly midnight screenings of cult classics. Another plus? The concession stand here tops its popcorn with real butter.

Named in honor of the late Chicago film critic, this theater is operated by the School of the Art Institute and showcases a wide range of movies, including indies, foreign films and celebrated classics. The theater is also the home of several different international film festivals, including the Chicago Palestine Film Festival and the Festival of Films from Iran.

Popular Texas theater chain Alamo Drafthouse's first Chicago location arrived in Wrigleyville in 2023. In addition to showing the newest films, the venue offers full-service meals with staff bringing food to customers' seats during screenings. There are also movie parties—immersive and interactive viewing experiences featuring fun props, themed drinks and more.

This renovated theater in the heart of Logan Square features an upgraded sound system, new screens and projectors, and perhaps best of all, a lobby bar and lounge that hosts events like live comedy and movie trivia. You'll find a diverse mix of second run studio movies and indie flicks in addition to a robust lineup of midnight screenings each weekend.

This Lincoln Square neighborhood favorite reopened in December 2016 after extensive renovations and features first-run films on three screens. The revamped theater includes an attached restaurant and bar, Soujourn, with an impressive cocktail menu—but if you’re more of a traditionalist, the theater sells its own gourmet popcorn tins.

Though it's located on top of what appears to be an abandoned mall, the Landmark's lineup of studio-backed indie films and obscure midnight screenings is worth the trip. The theater's bar and snack options can be just as quirky as the movie you're seeing, making it the perfect destination for the cinephile in training.

While Chicago has multiple art-house theaters, Facets is the place to go to find obscure indies that you won’t find anywhere else in the city. The Lincoln Park theater is the site of the annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival and also hosts Facets Multimedia, where movie buffs can rent obscure DVDs from around the world.

This Loop location of the AMC multiplex chain, located on the fourth floor of the Block 37 shopping center, offers 11 screens and AMC's full dine-in menu, featuring everything from chicken tenders to gochujang pizza. Five variations on milkshakes are balanced out by healthier options like grilled chicken sandwiches. You order from a console at your seat, and your freshly prepared food is delivered right to your plush leather recliner.

Founded more than 80 years ago, the University of Chicago's single-screen Doc Films theater is on record as the longest continuously running student film society in the country. While it began featuring documentaries, hence the name, the modern screening schedule showcases classic films from a variety of genres, appealing to film aficionados as well as casual moviegoers.

River East 21 has become a thriving downtown film destination, playing host to the Chicago International Film Festival and a regular slate of advance screenings. With 21 screens available, many different titles can be shown at once, which gives moviegoers a good balance of huge blockbusters and art house fare.

Regal Webster Place 11 offers a much-appreciated movie viewing amenity: king-sized reclining seats. It's especially useful considering Pequod's is just across the street—you'll probably need to lay down for a while after a few slices of deep dish.

In the middle of Hyde Park's bustling 53rd Street corridor is this community cinema staple. The historic movie theater first opened in 1915, more than a decade before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts was even established. Today, Harper Theater's modern interior carries the history of the building while providing a range of matinee and evening movie showings. Once the credits roll, be sure to try other nearby Hyde Park institutions like Virtue, Valois and Bob's Pizza.

The AMC in Evanston may look like your average multiplex, but due to its proximity to Northwestern University, it attracts an impressive lineup of art films and limited releases. Whether you want to see the latest blockbuster or see something a bit more highbrow, AMC Evanston 12 is your gateway to the world of cinema in the north suburbs.

You won’t find any reclining seats, or waiters serving you full meals, at the Pickwick Theatre in Park Ridge. What you will find is an art deco-themed movie palace that dates back nearly a century at the suburban theater that’s easily accessible through the CTA. In between catching the latest blockbusters and Hollywood hits the theater goes back to its historic roots and shows screenings of silent films like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.