Best Arthouse Cinemas In Seattle

Arthouse cinemas may have creaky chairs, smaller screens, and the occasional funky smell thanks to the old buildings they occupy, but for film enthusiasts they’re a cinematic haven. Their calendars are often a curated mix of old and new films, and their food and beverage options are usually locally sourced.

Like so many other city specific offerings, the exclusivity of independent movie theaters adds to a city’s uniqueness. In Seattle, these are the eight arthouse cinemas that bring character to its culture.

1. SIFF Cinema Uptown

Cinema, Movie Theater

The SIFF Cinema Uptown theater—the original of three of SIFF Cinema venues—is a film enthusiast’s hub. From its Cinema Dissection to Screenplay Competition, the Queen Anne institution works to bring filmmakers of all ages together not only to watch film, but explore it. SIFF Cinema is also home to the Seattle International Film Festival, the biggest international film festival in the nation. It’s no wonder locals praise the independent theater for its exciting and fresh movie circulation.

2. Grand Illusion Cinema

Cinema, Movie Theater

Named one of the best movie houses by Paste Magazine in 2009, the Grand Illusion Cinema is the longest running independent theater in the city of Seattle. The 70-seat theater draped in red velvet sits in the University District. The one of a kind theater offers a mix of Hollywood classics, cult favorites, documentaries, and foreign language films.

4. The Majestic Bay

Movie Theater

The Majestic Bay theatre, located in the Ballard neighborhood, is an intimate triplex movie theater featuring Dolby Digital sound and wall-to-wall screens. Built in 1914, the theatre offers the most recent movies like Marvel blockbusters and Disney motion pictures. The Majestic Bay melds classic nautical-themed architecture with modern electronics to create a unique and worthwhile moviegoing experience.

5. Northwest Film Forum

Cinema, Movie Theater

The Northwest Film Forum, located in the center of the Capitol Hill neighborhood, is more than just a theater, it’s a community of movie lovers and filmmakers. The intimate theater hosts a number of film festivals like the Local Sighting Film Festival, events with Seattle directors like Megan Griffiths, and filmmaking workshops. The Northwest Film Forum curates both indie and classic films.

6. Central Cinema

Movie Theater

Central Cinema is a dine-in movie theater that offers everything from beer and wine to popcorn and candy to pizza and burgers. The movie theater’s program is a carefully curated mix of adored classics like The Philadelphia Story and Some Like it Hot, to more recent comedies like Step Brothers and Bring it On. It’s situated on the Eastern edge of the Capitol Hill neighborhood, tucked behind a small row of shops. It’s intimate location is perfect for any retro date night.

7. SIFF Cinema Egyptian

Cinema, Movie Theater

The SIFF Cinema Egyptian, formerly known as the Egyptian Theatre, is a Capitol Hill neighborhood hotspot. Its one-screen theatre offers everything from restored classics to recent releases, to midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Built in 1915, the Seattle institution started out as a Masonic temple that hosted wrestling matches to raise money. That is, until the the 1980s when the space, after some redecoration, became the movie theater Seattleites know it as today.

8. Varsity Theater

Cinema, Movie Theater

In the University District, the Varsity Theater sits directly on the University District Avenue, or as University of Washington students like to call it, “The Ave.” In 2015, the theater underwent a series of renovations and is now able to screen 35mm and 3-D films, which they don’t charge an additional fee per ticket to enjoy. From independent movies to cult classics and recent blockbuster releases, the three-screen Varsity Theater cycles through an array of films sure to please any moviegoer.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.