The Brattle Theatre

I love independent theaters and I got some gift cards to go here. I went to the theater during the hours posted online only to find it closed. I went a second day, again, during the hours posted online, and again it was closed. I went a third day (open) and was informed that tickets for the movie were only available online and that gift cards can’t be used online. So I figured I’d purchase them online and see if I could get reimbursed. When I asked the person at the theater he said «he didn’t have time for this» and told me to spend it on concessions. There were maybe six people in line behind me so I didn’t want to hold them up, and this guy seemed stressed out so I forgave him being rude and took my seat.
I then sat through 20 minutes of advertisements for the gift cards «without restriction.» Then the same employee came out and told us all to donate to the theater and buy the gift cards because «you can use them on anything» (except, apparently, the movie we were all about to watch.) The movie started 15 minutes late and played on a small screen and a bad sound system. I don’t mind the small screen because its an independent theater, but the sound system was a surprise, and seeing ads for gift cards on the screen, in the bathrooms, and hearing it from the employees, all of which claim the cards have «no restrictions» while attending a movie that didn’t accept gift cards was kind of a drag.
So as much as I want to love BT, I have to give it a bad rating. I don’t feel ill will towards it, but my experience sucked from top to bottom. They wasted my time, money, embarrassed me in front of my friends, and worst of all, offered a poor presentation of the movie. Sorry.

This place is such a struggle for short people. They don’t have seating like the do in a normal movie theater where the rows are separated one higher and one lower. If that made sense. Sitting behind tall people is even more a struggle.
Overall I enjoyed this place. Although pretty small, it was really nice! It felt really cozy and homey I wanna say. Pretty good picture quality and even sound quality for a small theater like this. Price were average I think, I paid about $ 15 for the movie I saw recently, and I received a poster too!
Who knew a theater could serve liquor; especially serving craft beer and ciders…

I love this theater because it shows the rare international movies. If it wasnt for this awesome movie theater there would be no way to watch some movies. I saw Boroto: Naruto the movie here, it was sold out! They also sell beer, wine and cider, great place!

The fact that you’re even reading this Unilocal page probably means that you like watching classic movies, and something on the Brattle’s calendar has piqued your interest. If that’s the case, stop reading this review, and go to the theater.
The prices are reasonable. The staff is friendly. The concessions stand has a good selection, and serves beer. There is no reason not to go to the Brattle.
If you like watching the classics on a big screen, you should pick up a copy of the Brattle’s calendar, and see what’s coming soon. Also, you might want to mark your calendar for their annual events like Casablanca on Valentine’s day, and the Marx Brothers Marathon on New Year’s Day.

I like movies. This is my favorite place in the world.
What, you want more? Fine.
–Prices are comparable/​better than 90% of city art-​house theaters, especially for students/​seniors.
–The best popcorn in Boston is 5 bucks here. Free refills on large for 25c more.
–As I write this, their Fall 2015 schedule is coming out. This includes — but is not limited to — the Apu trilogy, a half dozen new releases, a Mad Max marathon, double features of several über-​rare proto-​noirs, and a Bill Murray birthday celebration. They fit this into 2 months. On one screen.
–50 steps from the red line.
–Yelp asked whether a photo of David Lynch speaking at the Brattle is helpful. It is. Cool people speak here all the time.
–The men’s room has funky posters on the wall.
–Beer.

I love the mission of this place and the opportunity to see lots of great old films, often in 35 MM.
The problem is that the current price point ($ 11 for an evening show) is out of whack with the quality of the viewing experience; the worst part is the lack of a sloped floor; unless you get very lucky, you will not have a clear view of the screen since somebody’s head will obscure it. The other option is the balcony, which provides a less obstructed view along a steep downward angle.
Since almost all the movies they show are available on DVD, when you start to add up a kind of cramped, obscured viewing experience for $ 22 for a couple, it becomes more tempting to just use their calendar as a suggested viewing guide. If you’re going to charge the same price as you pay to see a new release on a high quality big screen with comfortable seating, you really need to figure out a way to upgrade the viewing experience.
In fairness, the double feature policy, especially for member passes, makes those occasions a much more palatable proposition financially, though I still didn’t really enjoy seeing Casablanca with 15% of the real estate obscured by some tall guy with big hair.

A Cambridge institution. Not much more to say. See some classics on the big screen in an old style theatre. If this place ever ceases to be, it will be another nail in the coffin of Cambridge’s culture. Harvard Square doesn’t need another Panera or Chipotle. Long live the Brattle Theatre.

Great location in Harvard Square just under Café Algiers. The theater has a good indie vibe without being too run down.
My wife and I split a large popcorn that was reasonably priced ($ 5) but just tasted alright. They had a small but quality drink selection.
Maybe the film offerings just aren’t my cup of tea but I found myself not that interested in seeing a lot of the movies they were advertising. I would be excited to return though if something caught my interest.
Bottom line: love the location and concept but minus two stars for mediocre popcorn and a so-​so film line up.

The Brattle Theater is quintessential Cambridge. It’s old school cinema and they show films that you won’t see anywhere else. We go there often and are rarely disappointed. The snack bar is more reasonably priced than at the big cinemas and they have Boylan soda which is not only delicious but also has no high fructose corn syrup in it. I recommend the Black Cherry. Also, on a quirky note, be sure to visit the restrooms which are adorned with all kinds of funky movie posters.

Such a gem.
Old school, small with a small screen and a balcony. This place reminds me of my childhood. If the Brattle Theatre is ever in danger of closing, you can bet your sweet ass that I will protest the actions. This theater is one of the very few precious things that old Boston has left. Keep this place going folks!

Oh my God, I would live at this place if I could. Honestly, they show so many great movies that it pains me that I can’t see them all. On average they seem to screen one or more old movies a day, ranging from classic Hollywood stuff to newer indie films, some of which only screen there and can’t be seen at any other indie theaters in town. They program a great selection of cult movies, and some of the obscure gems they dig up are truly amazing. I have fond memories of attending one of their cult film series from a few years back. Take my advice: go to one of these! You probably will have no idea what you’re about to see, and after it’s over you’ll ask yourself «wtf was that!?» It makes for a great evening with friends or a date.
They appear to be showing more digital projections lately, which is sad for those of us who prefer 35 mm, but to their credit they do a good job specifying this info on their website so you know exactly what you’re getting.
The theater itself is high on personality: a little shabby and sketchy (I’m pretty sure I saw a mouse there once) but in the best possible way. Movie memorabilia plastered everywhere, including the walls of the bathroom. Go check out a movie, get some snacks and a beer (yes, they serve beer!), and enjoy cinema-​going the way it was meant to be.

Went here to see Snow piercer and it was an interesting experience. I’ve been going to Harvard Square for years, and I had never noticed this theater before. Maybe it’s because the building looks kind of like a brick house and the sign is off to the side and the box office is small and down some stairs.
The theater itself is old and dinky, but the quality of the projection was good, and they offer a unique offerings of film and events in their venue, which is kind of cool. The seating can be hit or miss because of the pillars that block views, and the chairs themselves are not comfortable, but I found the balcony to be more pleasant.
This definitely caters to a nerdy, yuppy, White crowd, and I felt a little uncomfortable. That being said, no one was mean or unprofessional, but the crowd definitely gave a little bit of a vibe of being elite and clicky.

Love it. Great movie selections. Just saw Rebel without a Cause. Plus once a blue moon you’ll meet a random celebrity. Last year I met Willam Dafoe and sat in on a Q&A of his. Very unique. Delish snacks. Wish they didn’t play SO many dry, bleak black and white films but the handful of gems that come through there make this place forever lovely.

Great location good value but the seating needs to be modernized for good viewing. Hopefully no one tall sits in front of you.

Love the programming and independent panache of the Brattle. I mean, they’re currently running a digital restoration of the original RoboCop as the late show. You have fifteen seconds to comply.
It’s a single screen, not-​for-​profit cinema with gourmet snacks (oh hey, real butter on the canola/​olive oil popped corn) and… is that Bantam Wunderkind on tap? Sho nuff, along with other output from local craft brewers and makers.
Sno-​Caps. Sno-​Caps all up in this piece.
Tickets run $ 10, shaving a couple bucks for matinees (before 5p) and students. Frequently-​run double features will cost ya $ 12 — still a cheap night out. Do yourself a favor: attend a Trash Night screening. It’s like MST3K, sans Crow and Servo, with a roomful of Mike/​Joels.

The schedule offered here is the highlight for me. Whether it is hitting my need for something really off the wall or revisiting an classic, the Brattle consistently shows films nobody else in town will.
The building itself is nothing to write home about for me. Some people are sure to love it while others will feel like they’re watching a movie in their high school gymnasium. Doesn’t really sway me one way or the other.
The only real problem I have seen at this place is the hit or miss service. While I haven’t experienced it myself, I’ve seen the staff here being downright rude towards customers for reasons that didn’t seem to make sense.
All in all, I’ll come back when they show something I love. It isn’t the theater I point people towards for a wonderful local experience unfortunately.

Charmed and charming, you are Brattle Theatre. Thank you for being a cozy, hip staple in HSQ for independent film and culture.
So you know, Unilocalers: the schedule for movies goes up only 2 or 3 months at a time. Keep an eye on the website for special free previews. Double features are a great bargain. Student tickets for single shows are $ 8. The space itself is old school (like a school auditorium, haha — see earlier Unilocal reviews for those comparisons), so audiences will want to stagger their seating choices in order to avoid being blocked by someone’s head. This matters most when the film is subtitled and you have to read what is at the bottom of the screen.

How have I never been here before??? Beer. Great popcorn. A bathroom that isn’t multiple floors away (I’m looking at you, Somerville Theater.) Charming and a great place to see that movie you’ve always meant to watch.

Quintessentially indie. Ticket-​taker in a booth. Tiny concession stand selling rarely-​seen brands of soda. And only ONE theater, most likely playing an awesome indie film that’s won numerous festival awards. «I Declare War» is intense. Pre-​teens play «capture the flag» in the forest, but in their imaginations, this is a real war with deadly weapons & foul language.
If the stage didn’t remind me of my middle school «auditorium,» I’d be rating Brattle Theatre five stars, but haunting Catholic school memories are slow to fade.

I love the Brattle and I love thats it’s close to me :) They show a lot of classic old films and films for some film festivals so its a favorite spot for indie lovers.
I do wish it was a bit more modern in appearance like the coolidge or kendall as well as more spacious like those. But as is it does have a certain indie appeal to it.

This place is the only one I can count on for those obscure first run movies that no major theater would ever ever ever play in this area. Yay for seeing both The Last: Naruto the Movie AND Baruto: Naruto the Movie! (Yeah, confusing titles… whatever).
Also, the serve great craft beer, hard cider and wine as well as typical movie soda and snacks. Support weird theaters! Support the Brattle!