Independent cinemas and the future of film

On Sept. 22, the AMC Broadway 4 located on the 3rd Street Promenade closed down, marking the end of its film legacy. With the beloved Santa Monica location gone, it leaves only one AMC, the Santa Monica 7, and two other cinemas in the city: The Aero on Montana Ave. and Laemmle on 2nd St.

This closure is part of a broader trend seen post-pandemic as big chain movie theaters have struggled to regain the crowd size and sales they had prior to lockdown. At the same time, the independent cinema scene is thriving. Unique events and screenings that can’t be found anywhere else have helped make these spots stand out and stay popular with the public. Small operating sizes also help create a collective communal spirit, often a feeling that can’t be achieved at a national chain theater like AMC.

Farran Slane (‘27) shares her favorite part of the independent cinema scene.

“Independent cinemas have more sentimentality, they’re more intimate and they’re less about just going to see a movie and more about enjoying cinema,” Slane said. “Independent cinemas feel less dystopian. If you go to AMC cinemas they have arcades and other things, but it takes away from the purpose of sitting down and genuinely enjoying the movie.”

The Aero, an independent cinema operating since 1940, has carved its place into Santa Monica history, with unique events like advance and special screenings as well as frequent in-person discussions with filmmakers and Hollywood actors. Laemmle Theatres, which has several locations throughout Los Angeles, has also become a staple in the Santa Monica film community. Focusing on great independent, foreign, and art house cinema the theater regularly plays films other locations don’t have. The cheaper prices -compared to big chain theaters- and buttery popcorn help the place stand out. The Laemmle on 2nd Street will always surely have a dedicated community of older generations, watching both cult classics, new hits and obscure, relatively unknown movies.

There’s no doubt that the cinema scene is changing; COVID-19 was a stepping stone for big chain theaters to realize that their methods might not be sustainable for the future of streaming. Simultaneously, independent cinemas, including countless other locations outside of Santa Monica like the Nuart, Getty, and Egyptian Theater, are bringing back the beauty of film and the cinema industry. With the newfound rise of local cinemas, major chain theaters must come up with things that make them more unique, whether that’s special events, better food and facilities or even lower prices.