Classic Movie Theaters in Chicago: Does Going to the Movies Matter?

There are many options when it comes to going to the movies — traditional, classic, luxury and small independent theaters — how do you choose? Chicago is a theater town where the movies can be experienced with a box of Milk Duds at a traditional theater like the Landmark Century Cinema, or while eating a full course meal at any number of AMC Dine-In theaters.

If a more independent vibe is the goal, then head to a small theater like the Gene Siskel Film Center, which offers foreign films and festivals year-round. And yet, despite all of these possibilities, the number of people going to the movies is down. With so many online streaming options like Amazon, Netflix or Hulu, going to the movies seems like a thing of the past. Online streaming is not the only reason people opt out of the movies; a 2015 study found the majority of people are just not interested.

If a lack of desire is at the heart of this shift, is there a reason to go to the movies? Classic theaters like Chicago’s Music Box might hold the answer. Nestled into Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood on Southport Avenue, this theater was built in an eclectic “atmospheric” architectural style, its ceilings painted with stars. Going to the movies here transports you back to 1929 when a trip to the theater was a bona fide event. The movie experience and not the frills are still the centerpiece. The Music Box shows new releases, independent films and the classics. Why not go to a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and see where it takes you?