Pattison's Movie House Compendium

Have you ever wanted an incomplete and not-guaranteed-to-be-up-to-date list of what theaters there are in the vague DC metropolitan area and what they might be showing any given week? I can provide that for you. There will be a special emphasis on arthouse cinemas, since those generally aren't as well-known to other people (aside from crazy movie freaks like me). Here is a link to my letterboxd, where I have logged every movie I've watched since I was 17 years old. Here is a little bit more about me and why I started this project in the first place.

JUST SAW THE BRUTALIST AND I HAVE MANY COMPLICATED THOUGHTS. Ultimately, I think everyone would benefit from perusing a bit of architectural history, so here are some readings relating to the architectural movements and periods addressed in the film. They're literally just chapters out of a textbook I had to read when I was 19 LMAO but they have further readings available at the end of every chapter, too, in case you want to learn more! Chapter 22

Arthouse Theaters in DC

I've compiled the following 'arthouse' theaters in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia from the Art House Convergence coalition. Check out their website, they're a pretty cool organization dedicated to promoting art house cinemas all over the country.

The Miracle Theatre

The Miracle Theatre is a historic theater located near DC's Capitol Hill neighborhood. Originally opened as a vaudeville theater in 1909, this venue now hosts live events ranging from musical acts to podcast recordings and operates as a second run cinema, screening a wide variety of films on a weekly basis, typically from Thursday to Sunday. As of January 6th, 2025, I haven't visited!

Currently Playing (updated 01/06, check website for specific times)

Coming Soon & Special Screenings (updated 12/31)

The Avalon Theatre

The Avalon Theatre opened in 1923 as a dedicated movie house near the Chevy Chase neighborhood in northwest DC. Despite changing ownership multiple times over the course of the 20th century and facing the threat of possible closure in the early 2000s, the theater has continuously operated since its opening. It underwent a restoration in 2002 and screens first run foreign and domestic films. The theater also offers special programming like its weekly Wednesday Signature series. As of 01/06/25, I haven't visited yet, but I've got tickets to see the Umbrellas of Cherbourg in a week and I'm so goddamn excited.

Currently Playing (updated 01/06, check website for specific dates and times)

Coming Soon & Special Screenings (updated 01/06)

The National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art screens films in its East Building auditorium on a regular basis! The program changes on about a monthly basis, with December 2024 featuring films released in the 1980s and October-November of 2024 featuring a series of silent films. All the screenings are free to attend, with ticket reservations available in advance, and usually held on Saturdays and Sundays. I've added some basic info on some of their more unique events! I've been to screenings twice now, and both times have been a blast. The auditorium itself is tucked away near the concourse between the East and West buildings and it seats a sizable amount fo people. Most recently, I saw the 40th 4k restoration of Amadeus which was absolutely brilliant.

Coming Soon & Special Screenings (updated 01/06, check website for specific times)

Arthouse Theaters in MD

AFI Silver Theatre

The American Film Institute Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is housed in a historic cinema in the Silver Spring, Maryland, a neighborhood just north of DC. Originally built in 1938, the theater was designed by well-known cinema architect, John Eberson. A fine example of Eberson's later work, the theater's Art Deco design was inspired by a cruise ship, and nautical detailing is present throughout the building, like its imitation portholes and the silhouette of the entire structure, meant to imitate that of a ship. The community of Silver Spring and Montgomery County rallied around the theater when it faced demolition in the 1980s, saving it from destruction. In the early 2000s, the county worked with the American Film Institute to renovate the theater and restore Eberson's original design, reopening it in 2003. It now operates as one of the region's foremost arthouse theaters, with extensive programming that features screenings of classic films, foreign and independent films, and special series highlighting animation, live theater, and more.

I've been just once so far, attending a special screening of Lawrence of Arabia which was held in their restored, historic Theater #1. It was a theater-going experience that nearly changed my life. Of all the movies to see, that was maybe the most perfect one given its grandeur and length. All of the reasons I love going to see movies in theaters felt shifted up to 11 that night. I'm seeing The Brutalist there this Thursday, 01/09, for their advanced screening and I've hardly been more excited to see a movie in my life! No doubt I'll write more about the experience after the fact. Keep an eye out!

Currently Playing (updated 01/06, check website for specific dates and times)

Coming Soon & Special Screenings (updated 01/06, check website for specific dates and times)

Greenbelt Cinema

The Greenbelt Cinema is a movie theater that I haven't yet dedicated much time to researching, but it's historic, I know that much!

Currently Playing (updated 01/06, check website for specific dates and times)

Coming Soon & Special Screenings (updated 01/06, check website for specific dates and times)

Arthouse Theaters in VA

Cinema Arts

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