The 11 best movie theaters in Chicago

For cinephiles who prefer the avant-garde over the mainstream, there is no sanctuary quite like the Music Box Theatre. This three-screen Chicago institution is an art-house landmark, specializing in the latest independent films, documentaries and director Q&As. Its main auditorium is a masterclass in atmospheric design, featuring a golden interior and projected clouds that drift across the ceiling like a daydream on a loop.

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 international film festivals, including the Chicago Palestine Film Festival and the Festival of Films from Iran.

A few years ago, the iconic Texas-born Alamo Drafthouse landed in Wrigleyville, marking its first Chicago expansion. It’s not just a theater; it’s a full-service cinematic experience where staff deliver meals and cocktails directly to your seat. With six auditoriums, the lineup strikes a perfect balance between massive blockbusters and gritty cult classics.

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. In addition to a robust lineup of late-night screenings, you'll find a diverse mix of second-run studio movies and indie flicks.

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

Despite its somewhat unsettling location in a sparsely occupied mall, the Landmark's lineup of studio-backed indie films and obscure midnight screenings is well worth the trip. The theater also hosts $5 secret movie screenings, showing new films ahead of their wider release dates. Previous secret movies have included Sense and Sensibility and The Sheep Detectives.

While Chicago boasts multiple arthouse 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 also the site of the annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival.

Streeterville's River East 21 has become a thriving downtown film destination that still feels like a quiet neighborhood haunt, even on its busiest days. With 21 screens (and a forthcoming IMAX screen), you'll usually have no issues securing tickets for your desired showtime. This location doesn't offer in-seat dining, but they do have heated reclining seats, an on-site bar and plenty of decent concessions.

Founded nearly a century ago, the University of Chicago's single-screen Doc Films theater is the longest continuously running student film society in the country. While it was founded with a sole focus on documentaries in mind—hence the name—Doc Films' current screening schedule showcases classic films from a variety of genres, appealing to film aficionados and casual moviegoers alike.

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 and Sciences was even established. Today, Harper Theater's delightfully retro interior carries the history of the building while providing a range of matinee and evening movie showings. Once the end credits roll, head out to try other nearby Hyde Park institutions like Virtue and Valois.

Opened in 2022, this theater in Lincoln Park's NEWCITY district features a modern interior, a bar, parking validation and 14 screens to catch the latest blockbusters. Come early and grab a bite at one of the neighboring restaurants before showtime.