THEATRES & VENUES
Here you will find a collection of what I see as some of the most useful screening venues within the Chicago. Not only is this a list for cinephiles alone, but many of these theaters provide opportunities for filmmakers seeking the opportunity to showcase their work through rentals or film festivals.
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The Music Box TheatreWhen people ask me what the film community in Chicago is, I tell them it's people standing outside the Music Box at 11 PM after seeing a movie together. When you talk about seeing a movie as "magical" they're talking about going to the Music Box, which turns 90 years old in 2019, and features some amazing programming of art house cinema, festivals, 35MM screenings, 70MM screenings, a live organist and more. For $50, it's worth becoming a member.
3733 N SOUTHPORT AVE
CHICAGO, IL 60613 |
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The Gene Siskel CenterThe Gene Siskel Film Center has some excellent programming and great year-round programming of art house films and classics, such as their recent Ingmar Bergman retrospective. In a somewhat odd location downtown, the academic feel of the Siskel Center doesn't give you that old school movie feel but the projection is still stellar. Siskel often gets rented out by local filmmakers wishing to showcase their work and self-distribute (four-walling) but the programmers also showcase local work and generously split the profits with the filmmaker.
164 NORTH STATE ST
CHICAGO, IL 60601 |
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The Logan TheatreThe Logan Theatre is a fun venue with a nice bar and occasional events, such as trivia and beer releases. Go here to hang out in a cool neighborhood and see a mainstream movie (or popular classic) over your lesser-known art house film. This older theatre still has quite a bit of charm to it.
2646 NORTH MILWAUKEE AVE
CHICAGO, IL 60647 |
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The Davis TheaterSimilar to Logan, Davis features more mainstream films on a limited number of screens, but hosts special events such as the Sci-Fi Spectacular or the Sound of Silence Film Festival throughout the year. The Carbon Arc bar attached to the theatre supports different film events, such as movie trivia every Tuesday.
4614 NORTH LINCOLN AVE
CHICAGO, IL 60625 |
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Landmark Century CinemaThe Landmark Century Centre is in a fun part of town but a weird location on the fourth floor of a shopping center that always seems to be renovating. But the films that come here often don't get a wide release or make it to more of the art house theaters like The Music Box. I associate most of these films as award-seeking films and documentaries. Landmark also plays host to the Midwest Independent Film Festival every month.
2828 NORTH CLARK ST
CHICAGO, IL 60657 |