Boston Area's Best Indie Movie Theaters
Harvard Film Archive
24 Quincy St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-4700
www.hcl.harvard.edu
When it comes to selection of little-known or classic films, no area theater is better than the Harvard Film Archive. Showings are less regular than most theaters. However, there are still several shows at the Carpenter Center from which to choose every week. The films shown are part of a large collection, which itself is part of the Harvard Library System. They include pieces from the beginning of film history until the modern era of film and from virtually every genre.
Coolidge Corner Theatre
290 Harvard St.
Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 734-2501
www.coolidge.org
War films, cartoons, comedies, black comedies -- they are all at the Coolidge Corner Theatre. This theater also has showings throughout the day, nearly every day, save select holidays. There are several theaters and viewing rooms inside of Coolidge, so the experience ranges from intimate to grand. What's more, people can rent these theaters for events and parties. Expect to see new independent films, second runs and current films on the Coolidge Corner Theatre's showtime calendar.
The Brattle Theatre
40 Brattle St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 876-6837
www.brattlefilm.org
The Brattle Theatre shows independent, foreign, classic and current films. Like Coolidge, it has a full schedule of showings so fans can go to the movies on a whim. Movie experience aficionados will appreciate the popcorn this theater serves, which is made with real butter and salt. There is also a wide selection of candy, baked goods and drinks, including beer and wine. The theater is housed in the 19th century brick Brattle Hall.
Capitol Theatre
204 Massachusetts Ave.
Arlington, MA 02474
(781) 648-4340
www.somervilletheatreonline.com
The Capitol Theatre is an independent theater, but it runs just a few of the most current films, usually the best out at any given time. It is a quaint, turn-of-the-century theater that is part of the Somerville Theatre chain. Just around the corner from the theater is the Capitol Creamery, an ice cream parlor that also serves lattes and the like. It opens just before the theater and closes just after, so it is a perfect treat to combine with a family movie or date night. Kids love the creamery's model train and pet fish.
Related: Boston Area Movie Theaters With More
The Kendall Square Cinema
1 Kendall Square
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 621-1202
www.landmarktheatres.com
The Kendall Square Cinema is consistently one of the top independent movie theaters in the city. This is at least partly thanks to its commitment to playing both big hits and indie films. It does not matter if viewers want romance, drama, horror or even animation because this Landmark Theater location will show it. Kendall Square's popularity may also be simply because it is a quaint retro theater that has an indie feel about it.
Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.