Recapture the charm of going to the movies

by Anna Wolfgram Evans

This summer, Colorado theatergoers have a lot to look forward to. As blockbuster franchises dominate multiplexes across the country, a quieter, more personal movie culture is thriving in Colorado’s independent theaters. Throughout Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and North Boulder, local cinemas and arts venues are offering audiences something rare: curated films, repertory classics, filmmaker discussions, and communal experiences that streaming services and oversized, multi-screen theaters cannot replicate.

From restored screenings and community discussions at the Boulder Public Library to classics and new films at the Boedecker Theater, this summer there is a great deal for theatergoers to anticipate.

The new silent palace

On warm evenings in Boulder, moviegoers can be seen gathering outside the Dairy Arts Center long before the doors to the Boedecker Theater even open. There is noticeable excitement as moviegoers discuss which Hitchcock film should earn the title of his greatest work, while others scan posters for upcoming documentary film festivals, silent film nights, and new independent releases from Sundance or Cannes.

Inside the Boedecker Theater, which is located within the Dairy Arts Center, audiences regularly encounter films that they would not be able to find at a standard chain megaplex. The Boedecker has become one of Boulder’s most important destinations for arthouse cinema and independent filmmaking. Audiences may spend one weekend revisiting classic silent films and return a few days later for a new international drama or environmental documentary.

Just twenty minutes down the road from the Boedecker is The Alamo Drafthouse. The Alamo has the unique distinction of being a theater that runs new releases while also curating its own film selections. Moviegoers can go from watching the newest superhero movie one day to watching an international or independent horror film the next. The theater offers a highly curated selection of films, from localized independent productions to the newest blockbusters.

One of the hallmarks of the Alamo is its laser-focus on the experience. It has a strict no-talking and no-phone policy. Any visitor talking or using a device is given only one warning before being asked to leave. This creates the perfect atmosphere for theatergoers looking to get lost in the world of their new favorite film.

The Alamo also offers plenty to discuss when it comes to its dining menu. Before the movie, guests browse a huge menu with everything from standard popcorn to fresh stone-baked pizzas.

The classic American film-going experience

For those looking for a more relaxed, yet classic film experience, there are also various drive-in theaters near Boulder. The Dairy Arts Center and 88 Drive-In Theater both feature classic drive-in experiences that enhance even the most traditional movie. Connecting your car radio to the correct station and heading into the concession stand to fill up on popcorn and nachos can make the most mundane blockbuster feel exciting.

Extending the viewing experience

In Longmont, the Longmont Museum Stewart Auditorium has built a strong reputation for eclectic film programming that blends education and entertainment. Its screenings frequently include foreign films, documentaries, classic films, and community-centered events. The venue draws a broad audience from all walks of life, from college students discovering classic film history to retired cinephiles.

The Dairy Arts Center film program is curated by a team of movie lovers, all with interests in different areas of film. They work together to blend their tastes, and what emerges is a thoughtful, well-rounded program. The Dairy Arts Center states on its website, “Community is what sets Dairy Cinema apart from the commercial theater experience. We believe that the cinema experience should extend beyond the screen.” The organization continues by explaining that their club conversations are designed to form deeper connections with both the community and cinema.

The programming that these independent theaters offer reflects a broader philosophy shared by many independent cinemas: movies are meant to be discovered, discussed, and experienced collectively.

Over the last decade, streaming services have transformed the way people consume media, especially cinema. Nearly every film imaginable can now be watched instantly from a phone or from the comfort of a couch. Yet these independent theaters, along with countless others across the area, have found that audiences still crave the ritual of moviegoing, especially when theaters offer curated programming rather than traditional blockbusters. Streaming films offer convenience, but independent theaters offer context.

Cinema as community

When audiences attend a screening at one of these independent venues, the film does not exist in isolation. A screening of the classic Citizen Kane might include an introduction discussing the film’s revolutionary cinematography and its influence on modern filmmaking. A documentary screening may feature local activists or scholars speaking afterward. These additions transform a movie from passive entertainment into an active cultural event.

In Lafayette, organizations like The Arts HUB are helping expand that sense of community-centered cinema even further. Although smaller than traditional theaters, arts venues throughout Lafayette increasingly host film festivals, local filmmaker showcases, and independent screenings that bring residents together. The smaller scale of these events often makes them feel intimate and collaborative. This intimacy is difficult to replicate in traditional multiplexes built around speed and volume.

Independent theaters and arts venues also play an important role in preserving film history. For younger audiences raised primarily on streaming services, these screenings provide opportunities to experience older films the way they were originally intended to be seen: on large screens, in dark rooms, and surrounded by strangers.

From Boulder’s Boedecker Theater to Longmont’s museum screenings and Lafayette’s community arts venues, independent cinemas continue proving that moviegoing is not disappearing. If anything, it is evolving into something more intentional, personal, and deeply connected to the communities that support it.

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