Christina Mastroeni 
No matter the time of year, seeing a movie in theaters is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. Moviegoers can escape the spring showers + summer heat in a cool + dry theater. Fall + winter months allow viewers to cozy up in a theater and escape the crisp weather for a few hours. New Jersey’s cinematic roots are part of the film + television industry’s renaissance in the Garden State, and these independent theaters are a direct connection to the past. Read on for a list of independent movie theaters in New Jersey.
Barrymore Film Center | 153 Main Street, Fort Lee
The Barrymore Film Center is located near the intersection of Park Avenue + Main Street. In addition to a regular film schedule, the center also has a film series including Family Films, Coffee + Classics, Sensory Friendly, + Cult Classics, among others. The center also has live events available, as well as a museum.
Read More: Drive-In Movie Theaters in the New Jersey + New York Area
Basie Center Cinemas | 36 White Street, Red Bank
Basie Center Cinemas is a not-for-profit movie theater located on White Street. The cinema has current movies available as well as classics like The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Wednesdays are half-priced ticket nights. Basie Center Cinema also has comedy open mics on the first and third Thursdays of the month with a $5 charge + sign-ups starting between 6PM + 6:30PM.
Bellevue Theater | 260 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
Photo Credit: Montclair Film
This historical theater is located near the intersection of Valley Road + Bellevue Avenue. Bellevue Theater is over 100 years old, first opening its doors in 1922. The building is set to reopen in Fall 2025: the organizers of the Montclair Film Fest signed a multi-year lease of the property, which is undergoing a renovation and upgrade.
Chatham Hickory Cinema | 641 Shunpike Road, Chatham
Chatham Hickory Cinema is located in the Hickory Square Shopping Center. Movie times and shows can be found on its website and include options like Mamma Mia, Airplane, + The Sound of Music. Viewers can watch in luxury as this theater has glider seats with swivel tables, making it an ideal spot to place a bag of popcorn + a Diet Coke.
City Plex 12 | 360 – 394 Springfield Avenue, Newark
Movie buffs can find City Plex 12 near the corner of Fairmount Avenue + Springfield Avenue between the West Side + Central Ward sections of Newark. The theater has showtimes available for current movies as well as anniversary showings like the 30th anniversary of Toy Story. A collaborative co-ownership between Borie Development, LLC + Shaquille O’Neal, City Plex 12 includes 12 movie theaters with stadium-style seating, + 3D viewing options.
The Clairidge | 486 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Those familiar with the Montclair Center area know that The Clairidge is the spot to go see a new box office hit. In addition to having multiple theaters within, The Clairidge also has sweet treats available in addition to the classic popcorn paper bag, like cookies, brownies, and chocolate-covered pretzel bites.
Cranford Theater | 25 North Avenue West, Cranford
The Cranford Theater can be found in the heart of Cranford’s town center. This movie theater shows current films and also has special events available, like Jim Barrone: A Tribute to Elvis through the Years. Occasionally, the theater is listed as temporarily closed, but plans to reopen in late September of 2025 as movie options and ticket purchases are available on the website.
The Film Society of Summit | 10 Kings Road, Madison
Those looking to scratch an independent film itch need to check out The Film Society of Summit in Madison. This theater is located within the Madison Community Arts Center. Independent films are shown one to two times per month here. After showings, there is usually a Q+A for viewers to chat, learn, and share their viewing experiences with others. It is best to check the website to see which indie movie will be playing next. The venue also has other events like comedy nights.
The Garden Theater | 160 Nassau Street, Princeton
The Garden Theater in Princeton is right off 27. This movie theater plays current movies as well as upcoming attractions on its big screen. The Garden Theater also has special events like Deep Focus on Screen, which showcases “Hollywood’s biggest films returning to the silver screen.” Other events and special picks include Prof Picks (which invites academics from Princeton + other universities to chat about a film with the audience), + $5 Family matinees.
Hawthorne Theatre | 300 Lafayette Avenue, Hawthorne
View this post on Instagram
Hawthorne Theater is located near the intersection of Diamond Bridge Avenue + Lafayette Avenue. This theater, close to celebrating its 100-year anniversary, first opened its doors in 1928, making it a historical landmark. The theatre shows current movies on its screens. Hawthorne Theatre also has a Special on Tuesdays, which includes “all seats, all shows, all day” for only $8.
Smodcastle Cinemas | 82 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands
Smodcastle Cinemas can be found near the intersection of East Mountain Avenue, West Mountain Avenue, + First Avenue. The theater shows current movies + has its own swag, but the fun doesn’t stop there, as this theater has its own film festival. This four-day event accepts submissions from filmmakers worldwide. Smodcastle is also holding its first horror fest in the fall of 2025.
See More: Movie Theaters in the Hudson County Area for Your Next Date Night
Showroom Cinema | 707 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park
Near the corner of Bond Street + Cookman Avenue, film fans can find Showroom Cinema. In 2009, Showroom Cinema opened its doors with a single screen and 50 seats available. It has since tripled its numbers + prides itself in bringing independent films + first-run films to the South Jersey/Jersey Shore area. Current showings are available here as well as a classic thrown in every now and then, like Grease, Sunset Boulevard, + Rosemary’s Baby.
Follow @themontclairgirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest Montclair updates, sign up for our weekly newsletter here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse.
