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Art House Theaters in Washington DC Area

7 theaters

Washington DC's film culture is shaped by its transient, international population and concentration of embassies and think tanks. The result is an audience with sophisticated global tastes and a hunger for documentary and political cinema. The region's nonprofit and museum-affiliated theaters punch well above what the city's size might suggest.

Highlights

  • AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring is a restored 1938 art deco masterpiece run by the American Film Institute
  • Landmark's E Street Cinema downtown is a go-to for independent releases
  • The Avalon Theatre in Chevy Chase is a community-owned single-screen treasure
  • Smithsonian museums offer free film screenings tied to exhibitions
  • The Embassy Row screenings bring foreign films with cultural programming

Neighborhoods

Dupont Circle and downtown DC offer walkable options for city dwellers. Silver Spring's AFI complex is worth the Metro trip. The Virginia suburbs have fewer independent options but Angelika Film Center serves Northern Virginia.

Tip: DC's embassy cultural programs often sponsor free screenings of films from their home countries—check embassy websites for hidden gems not available elsewhere.
Exterior or interior view of AFI Silver Theatre, an art house theater in Silver Spring, Maryland

AFI Silver Theatre

Silver Spring, Maryland
Est. 20033 ScreensNonprofit
Exterior or interior view of AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, an art house theater in Silver Spring, Maryland

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Silver Spring, Maryland
Est. 19383 ScreensNonprofit
Exterior or interior view of Avalon Theatre, an art house theater in Washington, District of Columbia

Avalon Theatre

Washington, District of Columbia
Est. 19232 ScreensNonprofit
Exterior or interior view of Cinema Arts Theatres, an art house theater in Fairfax, Virginia

Cinema Arts Theatres

Fairfax, Virginia
Est. 20006 Screens
Exterior or interior view of Freer and Sackler Galleries, an art house theater in Washington, District of Columbia

Freer and Sackler Galleries

Washington, District of Columbia
Est. 19951 ScreenNonprofit
Exterior or interior view of Landmark E Street Cinema, an art house theater in Washington, District of Columbia

Landmark E Street Cinema

Washington, District of Columbia
Est. 20048 Screens
Exterior or interior view of West End Cinema, an art house theater in Washington, District of Columbia

West End Cinema

Washington, District of Columbia
Est. 20113 Screens

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