Movie Theaters in Seattle, Washington
- The Grand Illusion cinema opened in 1968 and has not closed its doors since, making it the oldest continuously running independent movie theatre in the city of Seattle. Originally a theatre for foreign and revival movies, the Grand Illusion was opened by Randy Findley in a converted dentist's office. In 1997, the Grand Illusion nearly closed but was revitalized by the Northwest Film Forum. The cinema currently has a dedicated indie following and shows a variety of foreign, independent and classic films.
- The only dine-in cinema in the city of Seattle, Central Cinema shows independent, classic and cult films. Audience food orders are taken by waitstaff before the beginning of the film and meals are served during the movie. The theater also serves food in the lobby and will sometimes serve themed items to go with the movie. Because alcohol is served in the cinema, minors are not allowed into the theater after 11 p.m.
- Landmark operates eight theaters in the city of Seattle: the Egyptian, the Harvard Exit, the Guild 45th, Metro Cinemas, the Neptune, Seven Gables, Varsity, and Crest Cinema Center. The Harvard Exit Theatre was built in 1925 and has been operated by Landmark since 1979. It shows independent and foreign films. The Egyptian Theatre was originally built as a Masonic Temple in 1915. Metro Cinemas is located in the University District and shows a wide variety of films, from blockbusters to indies.
- The Seattle Cinerama was built in 1963. It was bought by Paul G. Alan in 1988 and was restored at that time. A Cinerama theater shows films on a curved screen, using unique technology to make the viewers feel like they are surrounded by the film. The image is projected from three different projectors. The Cinerama is one of only three theaters in the world that can show original Cinerama films. It is the only theatre that can show Super Cinerama.