Johnny Ruoff, a manager at Entertainment Luxury Cinemas in South Portland, vacuums the floor inside the lobby where posters of movies from years ago hang on the wall. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

If you need a reason to go to the movies, Maine theater operators are happy to try to give you one.

Whether it’s the big screen, the surround sound or the comfy chairs, these theaters offer all those and more. Some serve wine and beer while some serve full sit-down meals. Some places screen indie films. And if it’s got to be a classic buttered popcorn and a cherry Coke kind of flick we have those theaters too.

Here is a look at some of Maine’s movie theaters and what they offer.

FLAGSHIP CINEMAS, Falmouth, Auburn, Waterville, Thomaston and Wells

This 10-screen complex on Route 1 made a splash when it opened in 2016 with giant recliners that stretch out to the size of small beds. At the time, reclining seats were a rarity in Maine movie houses. The theater offers first-run mainstream fare, plus a deal on moviegoers’ favorite concession, popcorn. The Annual Premium Popcorn Pail (170 ounces) costs $16.25. But it comes in a reusable bucket, and you can refill it for a year for just $5.50 each time. The theater also has a Film Fanatics Rewards program, which allows you to earn free refills and free movie tickets when you spend money there.

Moviegoers make their way to Flagship Cinemas in Falmouth in 2021. Photo by Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

SMITTY’S CINEMA, Windham, Topsham and Sanford

Smitty’s offers themed menu specials tied to new releases The Windham location had some arcade games added recently in the lobby, and new games were brought into the Sanford and Topsham locations as well.

EVENINGSTAR CINEMA, Brunswick

Eveningstar Cinema, which opened in 1979, is an independent theater screening first-run independent films. They also pride themselves on selling popcorn with real butter and serve beer and wine.

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REGAL CINEMA, Augusta

Regal offers first-run mainstream flicks on the big screen. The Regal Crown Club allows you to earn 100 credits for every dollar you spend on tickets and concessions. The credits can be used for free concessions and upsizes, posters, art prints, and movie merch.

NARROW GAUGE CINEMA, Farmington

Narrow Gauge is a small-town, 3D-equipped multiplex with a railroad theme showing first-run features.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD THEATER, Bangor

A multiscreen theater plays mainstream films on the big screen. The theater offers birthday rentals and discount tickets, sold in books of 50 for fundraisers, and offers corporate incentives.

THE STRAND, Rockland

The Strand Theatre has been open since 1923. Their screen programming includes a regular schedule of current first-release, independent, and documentary film titles as well as Metropolitan Opera simulcasts and special broadcasts from the National Theatre of London. On the Strand stage, they have a diverse year-round program of live music, comedy, performing arts, and other special events.

MAGIC LANTERN, Bridgton

The Magic Lantern was first a tannery that went out of business in 1928 and was bought by a developer who constructed a concrete addition that housed many businesses, including a movie theater. The Meserve Theater opened on June 5th, 1929. Eventually, it became the Magic Lantern and closed in 2005 and the building was demolished.  A new building was constructed and the Lantern returned once more.

COLONIAL THEATER, Belfast

Operating since 1912, the Colonial shows first-run films as well as indie horror flicks.

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NICKELODEON CINEMAS, Portland

Portland’s venerable downtown theater has been in the same spot on Temple Street, and under the same ownership, for more than 25 years. Its movie fare includes first-run mainstream films, but off-beat, foreign and local films, too. Maybe the most impressive thing about the venue is that it’s maintained its long tradition of offering bargain tickets all day on Super Tuesdays – for $6.

The Nickelodeon, informally known as The Nick, has been offering a Tuesday discount for decades. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer

ENTERTAINMENT LUXURY CINEMAS, South Portland

This theater opened in the former Cinemagic at Clarks Pond space last August. It offers first-run Hollywood films on six to eight screens at a time. The previous owners had installed spacious reclining seats just before closing and renovated the building. Tickets are just $10 for everyone, all showtimes. 

Owner Bill Haney inside a theater at Entertainment Luxury Cinemas in South Portland on Thursday. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

APPLE CINEMAS, Westbrook and Saco

The Apple Cinemas in Saco is Maine’s only IMAX theater, the best place to see epic action and adventure films. The 13-screen location has reclining seats, as well as self-serve popcorn stations. Recent renovations, according to the owners, include a projection upgrade, new floors, paint and lights, and a kiosk to allow customers to buy tickets and concessions without a cashier.

The Westbrook location, with 16 screens, also has upgraded recliner seats, self-serve popcorn and ticket kiosks, plus recently renovated projectors and sound system. A full bar with hot foods is a planned future addition.

Self-service kiosk at Apple Cinemas Photo courtesy of Apple Cinemas


ARTSY ALTERNATIVES

While not strictly movie theaters, here are a few establishments that show a lot of interesting movies.

Maine Film Center, Waterville

Maine Film Center is a division of Waterville Creates located at the Paul J. Schupf Art Center that brings contemporary, independent, and classic film to central Maine. They also host the annual Maine International Film Festival, a 10-day celebration that brings filmmakers and film lovers from around the globe.

Portland Museum of Art

PMA Films is a series that includes indie, foreign, art-house and award-winning films that don’t generally play the commercial cineplexes. The PMA plans to show the 2025 Oscar Nominated Shorts in live-action, animation and documentary in February.

Space, Portland

This nonprofit arts organization hosts art exhibits and music but also screens a lot of films, including art house and documentaries. On Thursday, Feb. 6, Space will screen “A Traveler’s Need,” about Iris, a woman who finds herself in Seoul and without any way to make ends meet and turns to teaching French via a très peculiar method.

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