Music Box Theatre Corp

and may your every film experience be as charmed as every time I go to this darn place. Chicago doesn't have much in the way of movie theatres, unfortunately, but it is saved from abject cinematic philistinism by a handful of jewels, including the Music Box. The theater is really, really beautiful and the selection of films is impeccable. They host all kinds of special events, such as sing-alongs, weird and ambiguously porny film festivals, and that time when David Lynch read a poem about a spider. Music Box will often host those random national traveling retrospectives, such as last year when they showed the long overdue American commercial release of "Army of Shadows" by JP Melville. Another great feature is the weekend matinee series, where they show classics and rarities. They sell tickets for 5 entrances at $33, and believe me, once you get hooked on going to this place, you'll appreciate the deal. Truly world class!

This theater is conveniently located on hip Southport - there are tons of bars/restaurants in this area, so make a night out of a movie at the Music Box.

This theater shows RANDOM but interesting films, and is filled with intellectual/alternative types of people. Definitely not your normal, yuppie Chicago type crowd, which is very refreshing!

You can valet park, or self-park on the street or in a nearby school lot. Parking is usually pretty easy to find on the side streets off Southport.

PROS: fun crowd, parking is pretty easy to find
CONS: doesn't show any modern movies

This is a beautiful old theatre with lots of architecture and decoration. The movies may have an intermission at which time a piano player entertains the audience. Also has a small side theater for smaller audiences. Look up when the room gets dark and you'll see stars on the ceiling as well as the screen.