Here's Our List of Northern Virginia's Best Movie Theaters
Movie-going is a long-standing tradition for a reason. Watching a film is the finest sort of entertainment, but there’s more to the experience than that. It's also the perfect way to embrace art culture. Nowadays, Regals, Cinemark, and AMC comprise most of the theater options for movie-goers. Depending on the location, and especially in a pinch, these cinemas can be great. Yet, they lack that homey, personal touch– and they rarely screen smaller, indie, or foreign films. Luckily, Northern Virginia has plenty of local and small chain options that fill those gaps. Since these theaters tend to fly under the radar, we made a list of the best ones for you.
University Mall
Photo Courtesy of University Mall Facebook
University Mall is a local gem. It’s small with only three screening rooms, but the theater still shows first-run major movies. Tickets are dirt cheap, and so are the snacks. The popcorn here is quite delicious; on Tuesdays, ticket prices are only eight dollars. It’s not a place with comfortable recliners, but there’s something cozy about their old school seating. It’s not just the stadium-style chairs that give it that comforting feeling, though. The entire place has a quaint ‘70s feel to it.
Like many local theaters, University Mall has limited previews. Showing up fifteen minutes late isn’t right on time here– you’ll miss the first ten minutes of the movie doing that. Lastly, it should be noted that in theatre three, there is no cell reception, so tell a loved one about your whereabouts beforehand in case of an emergency.
Cinema Arts
Photo courtesy of Cinema Arts Facebook
This is University Mall’s sister theatre; it’s owned and operated by the same lovely owner. Unlike University Mall, Cinema Arts doesn’t do first-runs of major releases, and instead, they really hone in on second-runs and indie films. Much of the time, the indie films they show are international and won’t be screened at IMAX, Regal, etc. What makes this location particularly fun is the beer and wine they sell in a similar but cheaper fashion than Alamo Drafthouse.
Angelika Film Center
Photo courtesy of Angelika Film Center & Cafe Facebook
Angelika Film Center in the Mosaic District is expensive, but justifiably so, as it’s a high-quality theater. The one downside of this cinema is the lack of reclining seats.
Movie-wise, though, their selection is great. A lot of first-run movies are screened here, along with some classics and limited-time re-releases. On top of that, Angelika shows less mainstream films, both indie and international, which gives it some character. Also, each year they host a Studio Ghibli festival.
The theater itself is quite eye-catching, more so than others in the area. Lastly, Angelika Film Center is in a foodie area with great places to eat nearby, perfect for the movie goer who wants a bite after a showing.
LOOK Dine-In Cinemas
Photo courtesy of Look Dine-in cinemas Facebook
LOOK at the Boro, which was renovated and renamed from ‘Icon Dine-In Cinemas’, which brought along some improvements, but really, it’s always been a solid location. The menu is slightly better now, but the projection, sound, and seats are relatively the same. One major benefit of going here for a screening is the crowds, which are light compared to the closest theater, Tyson’s AMC.
What really makes LOOK worth checking out is the premiere theaters. These screening rooms have laser 4K projectors with Dolby Atmos sound. For those who don’t know, Dolby Atmos Sound is an incredibly immersive sound system that is more dimensional than traditional surround sound. E.g, sound effects like gun shots or engines revving can feel like they’re passing you on the left or right, or flying over your head. Not only is the quality of the projection and sound top-tier, but the theater is comfortable with seats that fully recline and even have heat.
Non-premiere theaters, on the other hand, can be hit or miss. Some rooms have weird sound projections like hearing double; others are completely fine.
Udvar Hazy IMAX
Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Theaters Facebook
The IMAX at Udvar-Hazy Center has the largest movie screen in the entire DMV area. It’s perfect for those looking for an activity before the movie-going experience. The Udvar-Hazy museum is attached to the IMAX, allowing visitors to tour aeronautic and space attractions prior to a viewing at the theater. This cinema mostly screens first runs of major releases, and they tend to be Marvel movies, documentaries or action flicks.
Udvar-Hazy’s IMAX just started offering reserved seating, which has improved the theater by a large metric. Though their stadium seats are still not too comfortable, nothing really compares to the recliners at most other big chain theaters.
Pro tips: Though seeing a new film right during its first-run release is exhilarating, Udvar-Hazy IMAX is usually crowded and cramped for those. Crowds usually lighten up once movies have been out for a week or so. Also, aim for a showing after 4 P.M. This is when parking is free; otherwise it’s $15 dollars.
Avalon Theater
Photo courtesy of Avalon Theater Facebook
Originally, the Avalon Theater went bankrupt and planned to shut down. Thankfully, the entire neighborhood put in the effort to restore it. Now, the Avalon Theater is the only nonprofit cinema in D.C. – quite an admirable accomplishment.
The cinema shows a wide variety of foreign films and major releases; avant garde and mainstream movies. This spot does a lot more than just screen movies. Avalon also hosts senior and youth programs, and occasionally offers passes for advance screenings. It’s an artsy and historic cinema too; there's an absolutely beautiful mural that’s sprawled on the ceiling of the main theater, which adds a lovely personal touch. Here, there are great prices, a wonderful staff, and an excellent place for a date night. The theater is well-kempt, too, and it’s clear a lot of love goes into upkeeping it.
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
Photo courtesy of AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center Facebook
AFI’s specialty is screening in 70 mm format. That’s pretty rare for a small, local theater. The cinema plays indie films, foreign films, and classics you’d never expect to see in theaters again. Revivals or repertory screenings, and special speakers/Q&As are particularly noteworthy showings to catch at AFI.
The layout of the screening rooms is old-fashioned, and there's no reserved seating. The theater could definitely use some renovation, but it’s still a wonderful place. The price is fair for their nice projection and crisp audio. All in all, the crew who run AFI are clearly film-fanatics and know their stuff.
AFI is farther than the other theaters mentioned; it’s in the suburbs of Maryland outside of D.C.
One Loudoun Alamo Drafthouse
Photo courtesy of Alamo Drafthouse DC Area Facebook
Alamo Drafthouse is already well-known and well-regarded, but it’s worth a mention. Just in case. Sometimes, a chain is what you’re looking for, and the Drafthouse is far superior to Regal, Cinemark, or AMC. The Loudoun location is particularly well-loved by Northern Virginia residents.
Alamo sells alcoholic beverages before, during, and after shows, which is a big reason people love it. Their service staff move like ninjas throughout the movie theater, and rarely disrupt the viewing experience. Their food menu is quite nice; patrons get free popcorn and soda refills too. The popcorn comes in a metal bowl, which makes it feel like a prestigious delicacy.
Even though people put a lot of value on Alamo’s food and beverages, the theater’s pre-show previews are what really make the place a standout. The pre-screening advertisements are pure entertainment. They tend to feature interviews related to the screening, behind-the-scenes clips, related movie trailers, or relevant commercials, which is refreshing compared to the usual, boring preview ads.
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