Art House Theaters in Boston Area
12 theaters
Boston's academic culture fuels one of the country's most discerning art house audiences. The concentration of universities means sold-out screenings for obscure retrospectives and robust Q&A turnout. Despite (or because of) New England's Puritan heritage, the region has long championed provocative and international cinema.
Highlights
- The Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square has championed film noir and revivals since 1953
- Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline is a beloved nonprofit with midnight movies and marathons
- The Somerville Theatre combines first-run films with a 35mm-equipped Museum of Bad Art annex
- The Harvard Film Archive programs academic retrospectives and rare prints
- ArtsEmerson screens international and documentary films in downtown Boston
Neighborhoods
Harvard Square's Brattle Theatre and the surrounding Cambridge scene dominate the city's cinephile consciousness. Brookline's Coolidge Corner is equally essential. Somerville's Davis Square offers a grittier alternative with its own loyal following.
Tip: Boston's T makes getting to theaters easy, but parking near Harvard Square is notoriously difficult. Plan accordingly, especially for weekend evening screenings.
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