Here are three theaters that will give you a unique, local experience.
By Izzy Caswell
Independent movie theaters are valuable characteristics of our society. If you’re ever looking for a fun night out, the Twin Cities has many.
In a study on the importance of independent movie theaters on cultural infrastructure from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, many of the theater staff members interviewed said independent movie theaters facilitated art and cultural engagement. Three engaging theaters nearby are Riverview Theater, St. Anthony Main Theater and Lagoon Cinema.
Riverview Theater, opened in December 1948 according to its website, stands as a time capsule of the 1950s. The interior design reflects the mid-21st Century with its dim retro-lighting and furniture, stained glass paneling and colorful carpets and walls.
Matinee tickets are typically $5 and evening tickets are $7, and the theater offers stadium seating for sporting events. The one-screen theater fits 700 people.
St. Anthony Main Theater, recently refurbished by Minneapolis St. Paul Film Society in the wake of the pandemic, shows many international, locally made and indie films along with popular, independent blockbusters. Jesse Bishop, program director of MSP film society, said independent theaters are culturally woven into the fabric of their community.
“They are small businesses that both reflect and serve the community because they have a stake in their neighborhood and can make local decisions based on community input and desire,” Bishop said.
With its theater located on the cobblestone Main Street with a view of the Mississippi, the MSP Film Society hosts an international film festival every April. The 2025 event is scheduled for April 11-25 with tickets ranging from $7-$10.
Lagoon Cinema, fittingly located on Lagoon Avenue, attracts attention in Uptown with its tall blue and green neon sign. The theater shows independent new releases, foreign language films and documentaries, according to its website. It also offers $5 tickets for classic reruns.
Occasionally, Lagoon Cinema does director’s highlights. Until Oct. 18, Martin Scorsese films are showcasing.
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