The 14 best movie theaters in Chicago

For movie lovers who aren’t out to see the latest Hollywood blockbusters, there's no better theater than the Music Box, a two-screen cinema that shows the latest arthouse films, indie hits and documentaries. The theater itself is gorgeous, and Music Box regularly hosts director Q&As and midnight screenings of cult classics. Another plus? Patrons can pre- or post-game screenings in the cozy Music Box Lounge.

Named in honor of the late Chicago film critic, this theater is operated by the School of the Art Institute and showcases a wide range of movies, including indies, foreign films and celebrated classics. The theater is also the home of several international film festivals, including the Chicago Palestine Film Festival and the Festival of Films from Iran.

Popular Texas theater chain Alamo Drafthouse's first Chicago location arrived in Wrigleyville in 2023. In addition to showing the newest films, the venue offers full-service meals with staff bringing food to customers' seats during screenings. Drafthouse also hosts “movie parties”—immersive and interactive viewing experiences featuring fun props, themed drinks and more.

This renovated theater in the heart of Logan Square features an upgraded sound system, new screens and projectors, and perhaps best of all, a lobby bar and lounge that hosts events like live comedy and movie trivia. In addition to a robust lineup of midnight screenings each weekend, you'll find a diverse mix of second-run studio movies and indie flicks.

This Lincoln Square neighborhood favorite reopened in December 2016 after extensive renovations and features first-run films across three screens. The revamped theater includes Sojourn, an attached restaurant and bar with an impressive cocktail menu. If you’re more of a traditionalist, the theater sells its own gourmet popcorn tins.

Despite its somewhat unsettling location in a sparsely occupied mall, the Landmark's lineup of studio-backed indie films and obscure midnight screenings is well worth the trip. The theater's bar and snack options can be just as quirky as the movie you're seeing, making it the perfect destination for the cinephile in training.

While Chicago boasts multiple arthouse theaters, Facets is the place to go to find obscure indies that you won’t find anywhere else in the city. The Lincoln Park theater is the site of the annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival and hosts Facets Multimedia, a one-stop shop where movie buffs can rent obscure DVDs from around the world.

This Loop outpost of the AMC multiplex chain—located on the fourth floor of the Block 37 shopping center—offers 11 screens and AMC's full dine-in menu, featuring everything from chicken tenders to artisan pizza. Eight decadant milkshake options are balanced out by healthier options like the grilled chicken sandwich and caesar salad wrap. Order from a console at your seat, and your freshly prepared food is delivered right to your plush leather recliner.

Founded more than 80 years ago, the University of Chicago's single-screen Doc Films theater is on record as the longest continuously running student film society in the country. While it was founded with a sole focus on documentaries in mind—hence the name—Doc Films' current screening schedule showcases classic films from a variety of genres, appealing to film aficionados and casual moviegoers alike.

Regal Webster Place 11 offers a much-appreciated movie viewing amenity: king-sized reclining seats. Such an amenity is especially useful considering Pequod's is just across the street—you'll probably need to lay down for a while after a few slices of deep dish.

In the middle of Hyde Park's bustling 53rd Street corridor is this community cinema staple. The historic movie theater first opened in 1915—more than a decade before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts was even established. Today, Harper Theater's delightfully retro interior carries the history of the building while providing a range of matinee and evening movie showings. Once the end credits roll, head out to try other nearby Hyde Park institutions like Virtue, Valois and Bob's Pizza.

River East 21 has become a thriving downtown film destination, playing host to the Chicago International Film Festival and a regular slate of advance screenings. With 21 screens available, a slew of different titles can be shown at once, offering moviegoers a healthy balance of huge blockbusters and under-the-radar fare.

You won’t find any reclining seats or waiters serving you full meals at the Pickwick Theatre in Park Ridge. What you will find is an art deco-themed movie palace that dates back nearly a century—it also happens to be easily accessible via the CTA. Along with screening the latest blockbusters and Hollywood hits, the theater remains true to its historic roots with screenings of silent films like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

The AMC in Evanston may look like your average multiplex, but due to its proximity to Northwestern University, it attracts an impressive lineup of arthouse films and limited release flicks. Whether you want to catch the latest blockbuster or see something a bit more niche, AMC Evanston 12 is your gateway to the world of cinema in the north suburbs.