New York is one of the major hubs for independent film fans given there are at least 30 theaters specializing in the genre in the whole city. Some of these theaters are relatively new while others have been neighborhood staples for decades. Below are three notable ones:
- Film Forum—This charming West Village space opened its doors in 1970 and still remains as popular today as it was nearly 50 years ago. Film Forum specializes in showing offbeat American and Foreign films including film noirs, documentaries, Foreign and American classics, and even a special kids’ program known as Film Forum Jr. Film Forum is located at 209 W. Houston St. between Varick St. and 6th Ave.
- Metrograph—In addition to a small theater, this unique hotspot also has a café, library, and restaurant. The theater was founded by Alexander Olch, a film and clothing designer, who had the idea of making Metrograph a place where people can truly relax and spend time in, like a lounge. To avoid the feeling of being a movie theater, tickets are sold online in order to avoid huge crowds lining up around the block. Metrograph is located at 7 Ludlow St. between Canal and Hester Streets.
- Angelika Film Center—Since its opening in 1989, this theater has been a longtime favorite of film lovers with its selection of independent films many of which have won awards such as the 2011 silent film The Artist which won an Academy Award for best picture the following year. The theater has a small café in the lobby and also has locations in Virginia, Texas, California, and Washington D.C. The Angelika Film Center is located at 18 W. Houston St. between Broadway and Mercer St.Below is a list of several other notable theaters:
- The IFC Center (323 6th Ave., New York, NY)
- Lincoln Plaza Cinemas (1886 Broadway, New York, NY)
- The Elinor Bunin Film Center (144 W. 65th St., New York, NY)
- The Paris Theater (4 W. 58th St., New York, NY)
- Anthology Film Archives (32 Second Ave., New York, NY)
- Cinema Village (22 E. 12th St., New York, NY
- Quad Cinema (34 W. 13th St., New York, NY)
- Brooklyn Academy of Music (30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY)
- The Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Ave, Queens, NY)
