The Main Cinema

Went here to see the new Bob Dylan movie. I've been here a few times before and I have always loved the feel of this older theater. They a lot of times host different events and tend to have a few more indie films available than most bigger theaters. They used to only serve cans of pop but now have a fountain which is nice and their popcorn is always delicious. Bathrooms are always clean and they're more like single bathrooms compared to the normal stalls which is nice. Seats are pretty comfortable and seem more up to date. Not recliners but they do rest back a little bit. I would definitely recommend the main if you want a check out this cute older theater that is placed right on the river. :)

The Main Cinema, located in Minneapolis, is a cherished venue for film enthusiasts, particularly those interested in independent cinema. Patrons appreciate its nostalgic ambiance, comfortable seating, and diverse film selections. One reviewer noted, "If you miss that 'old school' movie theater and also like comfy seats, this is the place for you! They show great independent movies and host various film festivals." The theater is also known for hosting unique events, such as the Cat Video Festival, which has been well-received by attendees. A visitor mentioned, "So when I learned that Cat Video Festival was held inside thanks to the MSP Film Society and the Main Cinema, I was totally all for it!" In addition to its film offerings, The Main Cinema is praised for its quality concessions. A patron shared, "The popcorn is tasty but won't make you feel gross like other movie popcorn will." The theater's affordable ticket prices further enhance its appeal. Overall, The Main Cinema offers a blend of classic theater charm, comfortable amenities, and a commitment to showcasing independent films, making it a favorite among Minneapolis moviegoers.

Cute little theatre on a beautiful street. Definitely has old school charm. Chairs are comfy and price is reasonable. Definitely love that this theater is a Minneapolis staple for the film industry. Love the old school theater vibes right by the water. Staff is very friendly, pop corn is great and ambience is great as well. Definitely if you're a film buff this would be a great place to go they have lots of independent films which I love definitely going back maybe to see the lion king 2!

A favorite of mine based on nostalgia and my love for the St. Anthony Main area. Love that you can see a lot of the smaller independent films the larger chains often overlook. However, Main Cinema is in dire need of refreshing their concession offerings. Both the snacks and beverages feel uninspired - more sparkling water options and single serve wine would be a hit based on the patron demographics.

If you miss that "old school" movie theater and also like comfy seats, this is the place for you! They show great independent movies and host various film festivals throughout the year. Not to mention that it's run by the MSP film society, a local non profit organization. So support small local businesses

I absolutely love this neighborhood theater. The ambiance is a little retro and entirely charming. They show a wide variety of movies and I can't wait until I go back! They also have midnight mayhem, which shows really bad/ great movies like Tammy Trex and Killer Condom.

Cute local cinema! Loved the atmosphere. I also loved that they made their popcorn with coconut oil! A much healthier option than most theaters.

This is my theater now. In a unique twist, the changing-of-ownership sequence for this theater has landed on the non-profit MSP Film Society. When this happened they made some crucial changes which are very much for the better. First of all, they kept the very comfortable (though non-reclining) seats but they increased the leg room. It's really very comfortable to watch a movie here. Also, the changes to the concession stand offerings are good ones. For one thing, everything is cheaper than normal. The portion sizes are more like what you'd actually want, instead of a gargantuan load of snacks to justify the gargantuan price a major cinema chain is obliged to charge. And there are some boozy beverages on offer alongside canned soft drinks. I absolutely love that I can just get a 12oz can of pop instead of being forced to pay twice as much for way more than I need or want (or can contain before needing an inconvenient restroom break). This is how it should be. And the popcorn is fluffy and delicious! And a small popcorn is the perfect amount for one person and fits in the cup holder!The slate of movies continues to be a mix of mainstream and art-house titles; as I type this in February 2024 it is leaning heavily toward the latter, but that's because it's awards season. That said, this isn't where you'll come to see a Marvel movie. You will find some very ecclectic film-festival-type titles on their marquee. For that matter, actual film festivals happen here. A couple of caveats: parking might seem tricky, and it's definitely trickier than in a suburb with ubiquitous parking lots. But it's not as bad as I'd expected. I can always find a metered street spot, but if you're willing to walk two blocks, look for free street parking just north of University. Or if you don't care about price and you just want to be assured of a place to park, there is a ramp at 2nd St & 2nd Avenue, and it's connected by a tunnel to the building. The other caveat is that if you like very fancy presentation, like the kind of bright screen that makes CGI really pop, you'll probably notice that their digital projectors are not quite to the level of what Big Cinema can afford. It doesn't bother me, but it's worth noting. One more thing: no reserved seating. All showings are general admission, so arrive early if you're concerned about not getting a good seat.EXTREMELY friendly and helpful employees here! Great urban-cinema ambiance! Really lovely theater.

My companion and I went to see Poor Things and this was actually first movie watching experience. The theater is renovated recently the seats don't recline but do rock. The price for tickets is cheaper with a MFS membership from$10 to $6. Concessions were decent. We share a popcorn and got a bottle of water each. My only complaint is there were a lot of can opening going on through the film that can be a distraction. Maybe the cans are opened at concessions when ordered. Otherwise will probably return in the future.

Yes, it's a dated theater....but it's a really cool independent theater by the water and home of the MSP Film Society, bringing the best international and independent films to Minnesota Audiences. Last Sunday, I enjoyed the Cat Video Festival 2024 here! Now the Cat Video Festival is a yearly summer festival and has been showcased outside. Now, just for that reason, I've been avoiding going since I don't really appreciate the HOT summer of Minnesota too much, which is especially distressing in recent years, thanks to Global Warming. So when I learned that Cat Video Festival was held inside thanks to to the MSP Film Society and the Main Cinema, I was totally all for it ! It was so AWESOME! I had so much fun! Thank you so much for hosting this fun event at your lovely theater. It was so fun to enjoy watching cute kitties in an air conditioned comfortable theater with reclining seats with other cat lovers! Thank You!