The Art Theater

Visited on a Saturday evening
What a beautiful old theater. Ticket prices are reasonable, and they make it a point to carry non mainstream movies along with running classics. The pop corn was delicious and it’s so nice being able to have a beer while taking in a movie, yes they have a bar with wine beer and the hard stuff.
Great place for a date, will gladly come back!

This is in a fantastic location and it’s such a wonderful asset to the community! They have fun movies and events that you won’t find at a big ticket movie theater. They also have a surprisingly decent beer list as well as some other alcoholic drinks that I wouldn’t have expected to find.

My boyfriend and I came last Thursday for the free movie and bike raffle they did to support Kickapoo Rail Trail. It was a blast! We love coming here! They always show some really great niche movies and when you look at the pricing compared to other movies, it’s a great deal! Also, how many other movie theaters offer such a great selection seasonings for your popcorn and have beer and wine for purchase! It’s convenient downtown location means that you can go out to a nice dinner downtown and enjoy a movie with that special someone. The location also means that you can easily bike or bus so, drinking isn’t out of the question. We usually end up spending way less than the traditional theaters and enjoying ourselves way more!

Superb theater.
I could go on and on about this place, but really just stop in if you’re considering. There’s no way you’ll be disappointed.

Very cute and vintage venue! I was The Babadook and was impressed with that stereo system in the little theater! On top of that, the staff was very sincere and kind. If there is a good showing, be sure to check this place out.

Fun, quirky place with cool events. We went to watch «What We Do in the Shadows» a fun movie about a mockumentary of the life of a vampire. Art Theater offers a variety of beverages (alcoholic as well) and snacks. They were giving away free fangs as well! Fun and spacious theater, and fun crowds!

What a gem for downtown Champaign. The Art Theater does cozy and welcoming the right way — with booze and smiles.
Beer, wine, liquor and great popcorn every night. If you haven’t been, go.

It is now a co-​op theatre and the only one in the country. It is fantastic to go and have a whiskey or a beer while you watch your film, too.

I love seeing movies at the Art. If there’s a movie that is limited release, the Art can usually be counted on to bring it to Champaign. They play many of the oscar nominated movies — even those from lesser known categories, like foreign language film and short film. Overall, I’ve always had a positive experience here.

Although this theater could really use serious renovations, I really love the ambiance of seeing a movie here. They give a speech before the film usually telling you interesting things about the director or something to look for in the film. People who go here love film and you can feel that when you are watching the movie. The experience is awesome.

I’m extremely biased (as a co-​op member) but the Art is the best place I’ve ever seen a movie at.
The place is an old-​school art-​house theater with one screen. The showtimes vary a bit day-​to-​day, but generally they show more recent independent features during the daytime and second-​runs at night. Tickets are really reasonably priced (I think the student price is $ 7) and concessions are great. I don’t like popcorn, but the cookies are $ 3 (and Pekara made, sweet!) and they offer mixed drinks for $ 6. I’m especially fond of the mixed drinks, which feature really good spirits (their bourbon is Makers 46, which… wow.)
The movie selection is also great. The independent films are almost always good and very rarely super-​pretentious, and the late night films are always good. The first time I saw Cabin In the Woods here was my second favorite movie experience ever; the crowd was raucous and engaged. Plus, they show cult films (do not miss the annual showing of The Room in February– weekend showings are the best) and occasionally have film festivals or special events. Recently, they brought in the Andrew Alden Ensemble to play a live score to Vampyr, which was unbelievably cool.
The Art’s fantastic. It blows other art-​house theaters I’ve been to out of the water. Hands down my favorite spot in Champaign.

one screen. no previews. free drink refills.
this is what a theater should be. classic reruns and first run movies that are typically in the indie genre but top notch. saw Mud here recently and really enjoyed the experience.

Viewing a film in this restored theater is a real treat. Wine or cocktails can be purchased along with your popcorn. The films are often thought provoking and films you will not see at the local theater complex.

The Art is awesome. The ticket prices are below average, their concessions are very inexpensive, they play great movies that are too «arty» for mainstream theaters, and they genuinely seem to care about making your theater going experience a good one. If you’re a fan of foreign films, documentaries, or any sort of domestic films that mainstream theaters find too «financially risky,» then this is for you.
The late-​night movies are particularly good. Lately, they’ve been playing lots of classics. Where else are you going to see Taxi Driver or Mulholland Drive playing on a 35 mm print?
Outstanding all around.

8−4−12
Probably helps that I saw Safety Not Guaranteed which was hilarious but this place is FANTASTIC!
$ 22 for two people – movie tickets, medium popcorn (it was really good popcorn!), large soda AND a candy! And just an FYI – they serve booze here too!
This is a gem of a business that shows off the beaten path movies at a very reasonable price. I don’t live in town but if I did I think I would have bought a share of the coop that will be running it. Love the local business doing it right. Nothing wrong with a big corporate movie theater but I honestly can’t remember the last good film I saw in one. Kudos to The Art! Next time I am in town, I am checking you out.

Wait… a reasonably-​priced movie theater??? In 2012???
Old movie theaters are the best. It’s one thing to go see something in an IMAX theater — that can be fantastic, depending on the movie — but every movie I’ve seen at The Art has made me so happy. Documentaries, indie films, and main-​stage movies… they’re all featured here at The Art, and each movie seems more personal in a smaller space with a smaller audience.
Very close to good restaurants and bars that you can go to before or after a film.
Make sure you get a punch card for free popcorn!

I’ve never been to a non-​commercial theater before, so I thought this was really cool. I was here a few weeks ago with a group to watch A Separation (good film, btw!).
I really liked the feel of this theater. It’s downtown and has a lit-​up marquee. You might miss this gem when you walk through the doors, but above the doors is a mural of moviegoers and each one is an iconic film character/​star (e.g. Blues Brothers, Marilyn Monroe, Frankenstein’s monster, etc.)
I did notice they had a little bar set up with their snacks so that you can sip on beer or wine.
The theater itself was pretty cozy. It definitely had some wear and tear, but if you were approaching the Art Theater positively, then it kind of lent to a nice homey feeling. (If you were already miserable at being dragged there, then… you just found another thing to complain about. :P)
I was expecting the theater to play just super over-​my-​head artsy films (and I’m a bit of a movie snob) but the selection is not super high brow. ALSO, they don’t play commercials before their films, FYI. Only movie trailers.
In short, I liked it and if I’m in the area, I’ll definitely try to stop by.

Love this place.
Nice and cozy (almost as good as on the couch at home).

The Art Theater is one of my absolute favorite places in Champaign. Since the theater came under new ownership (Sanford Hess), this place has undergone a huge transformation: better movies, better concessions (alcohol!), and an owner who is always receptive to customers.
The theater screens multiple films each week, including the regular feature, weekend late-​night movies, and ballets and/​or operas on weekend afternoons. I absolutely love the selection of films that Sanford chooses, and, while I may not actually enjoy every one, the fact that he’s worked so hard to appeal to diverse tastes while consistently bringing in quality films is exactly what makes this theater so great. Sanford even gives an introduction before each screening, which adds that personal touch that you just can’t get at the Bev or Savoy.
Simply put, you couldn’t ask for a better movie-​going experience. And did I mention they serve booze? ;)

I love the Art Theatre in its new permutation: they serve booze! They sell Heineken tall boys along with a bunch of other big beers, sangria, wine and mixed drinks at reasonable prices. This is the perfect follow up to a nice dinner at Sushi Kame or some other place downtown, and only increases the enjoyment of movies, IMHO. They also have high quality popcorn (with multiple flavored toppings) and a wide selection of high quality candy (they even used to carry Flatlander Chocolate :(RIP).
Helping things along is a great website for the theater and an email list you can get on that lets you know what they are showing. Before each film, a film geek gives a 5 minute presentation about the movie you are about to see, helping to put the film in context and increase overall appreciation. They don’t pick just any old flick to show at this theater either; whoever selects the movies does a great job and has something interesting every week. If you haven’t been, check it out.