AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

This place is such a gem. I came in by myself just before Halloween to see the del Toro Frankenstein and then ended up buying a ticket to go in for the original as well. The two theaters were very different but both had comfortable seats and great sound and screens. From what I gather, the latter showing was in the "main" theater which was a very neat space. There were not many people there at all but it also was midday midweek. Good value on tickets and concessions.

Beautiful theater! The theater I was in was cavernous like the movie theaters of old. It's tastefully decorated in a muted art deco theme. The chairs were fairly comfortable and allowed you to recline somewhat so that you could adjust your sightlines. I had someone sitting in front of me and it really didn't obstruct my line of view which is a win for me as I am very short.

Just hands down the best theater in the DMV area for me. We come down from Baltimore a lot for shows here. Comfortable seats, shows some of the best movies of the year, basically the only place in town to see 70mm / 35mm prints. They run festivals throughout the year showing many major movies FAR in advance. The Secret Agent shown 3 months early, Ann Lee show a month early. They show some of the best old classics and find some of the best indie movies around. The best independent theater in the area

We really enjoy the movies this place shows. They show documentaries and movies that are not shown anywhere else, that I know of and for a great rate. Keep an eye out for their themes like there is a black and white theme where they’ll show all black and white movies, during pride month they’ll show pride, movies, etc. I feel like the theater makes me a better person because of what they show, it’s different like me. You can only get refills on large drinks and large popcorn, not a bad thing just a reminder. They do offer military discounts here too

One of the only places around to see something in 70mm. Tickets are affordable (non-profit, so no tax) and popcorn is superb. They have some nice beers, too, and cocktails are generally 12 bucks. They play new stuff, but expect a focus on classics and lesser-know, but noteworthy, films. The folks who do the programming choose well and known their stuff.

A beautiful old-fashioned cinema renovated just like new, comfortable seats and excellent screen view. They show nice movies. Was there for the Latin American Film Festival, to watch the Uruguayan movie The Employer and The Employee. Excellent experience. Totality recommended visiting! 👌

I went here this week to watch Frankenstein (2025) on your biggest screen. It's a beautiful theater with an excellent concession stand and a bar. However, the projection quality was pretty bad, it was obvious when it was time to change reels and there were jumps in the film that were several seconds long making the movie watching experience a little weird.

AFI is one of the reasons I settled in Silver Spring. This independent movie theater is a gem. Their series are crafted with passion and expertise. I love their special events, especially during the international film festivals. I have become a regular here and will always be back!

I just love this place. It's great to see modern movies when they have them but you definitely get that old school vibe when you get inside the theater. It is such a unique place in the area. Highest recommendation if you love older movies.

Love this old time independent theatre! Have been here four times and need to go much more. They also now have closed captioning devices that work well so far as well as some showings with open captions. There are three screens here, one large and two smaller ones and have probably been to all three. The view of the screen as well as the screen and sound quality are amazing. The movies here are mostly independent but there are sometimes some blockbusters. They also have numerous film festivals and lectures here the throughout the year we should take advantage of as it is right in our neighborhood. Seats are older but very comfortable and the staff is very friendly. Good drink selection and food options too. The popcorn is also amazing. The last movie we saw here was the Taylor Swift Eras Tour with open captions and due to the limited crowd we would rate it 7 out of 13 the times we saw the concert in film.

Beautiful interior and great programming. This is a must for any film lovers who live in the area. Theater 1 especially is wonderful!

Beautiful big movie theater in Silver Spring. What an excellent collection of classic and new films! And the staff are so friendly and helpful. I wish I lived closer so I could visit even more often. I'll report back on the concessions available next time I visit. With the EU Film Festival playing, my next visit will be pretty soon.

Stunning venue! I came here for the LOC fest and loved my time here. Lots of cool items on display in the lobby, in addition to some good dining options.

It's a nice classic movie theater, like in the old days. Lots of comfy seats. Not like Ipic but you definitely have that nostalgic feel once you're in here. I've been here a couple of times for special viewings of movies that you probably won't see at popular movie theaters. You'll see some oldies, some indies and some popular movies here. The food is reasonably priced, but not my cup of tea. Staff here are ok, they do work hard in keeping this place clean. Plenty of parking in the area, however I don't recommend leaving your car here at night. Take metro, or Uber.

Beautifully restored Art Deco theatre with excellent reasonably-priced concessions. Only thing keeping me from five stars is the neighborhood which has always been a little edgy but it getting steadily worse. People have been murdered this year within blocks of the theatre and in broad daylight. The adjacent Metro station has lots of turnstile-jumping and can get rowdy. I heard there was a major homeless shelter a few blocks away but I don't know if that's correct.

I love classic films, so was excited to visit, and see a noir film ("Lured") featuring a young and glamorous Lucille Ball. Clean and comfortable seating. Lots of old posters and film memorabilia.The film was preceded by a short introductory talk, similar to what you hear on TCM. Well worth a visit, and fairly accessible by public transit (Metro station is an easy walk).

What a gem in Silver Spring! Although I heard about this theater as a child growing up in northern Virginia, I never visited until they hosted the Latin American Film Festival in 2021!! I visited weekly for about 6 weeks and regularly felt that staff were helpful. Tickets - The booking process is easy - I reserved online for my first visit with a $1 processing fee for ticket, however have reserved at the door for subsequent visits. You can select your seat while booking, a feature which I appreciate especially these days so I can maintain distance from other guests. The theaters (I think there are 3?) are huge, so I felt safe even during a busy weekend show. Masks and proof of vaccination are both required. Parking - There is plenty of street parking, although I prefer the Town Square Garage on Fenton Street (about a 2 minute walk from the theater with free parking on weekends/holidays/PM). While the theater does play new releases, I highly recommend checking out the "cultural" offerings that make AFI so special - anything that you can't find at your local theater is probably worth the drive. Thank you AFI for connecting global cinema with Silver Spring and the surrounding metro area.

Going to the movies is a special occasion here. This gorgeous, elegant theatre beats any AMC any day (see my photos). They screen feature films alongside the classics. The auditorium is huge, airy, spacious, "operatic" (you feel like you've walked into an opera house of sort). Up front, they display film reels and equipment, as well as a projector. They have recreated the glory of cinema: a communal event.

Source for all the films you need to watch that will never be screened at the GIGAPLEX!

I'm a movie nut. AFI is just my kind of place. It has movies of all types, all year long. I just took in Isle of Dogs. It's funny, poignant and uniquely visual. The voices of the dogs are a blast. AFI's website has a nice calendar of its screenings--easy to navigate and understand. That is not always the case, actually, for other movie houses. I love the comfy seats. There are 3 theaters. Theater 1 is an old-timey movie palace that sends me back to the good old days of going to the movies as a kid. It has 400 seats, high ceiling and outstanding state-of-the-art acoustics. I saw Dunkirk in 70 mm here--what a treat. Thanks, AFI, for being a place that honors film.

Nice that they screen older classics, but unfortunate that the main theater currently has a rat infestation. We had to lift our legs and prop them against the seat backs in front of us to prevent rats from running up against our shoes. Presumably, this is only a problem occasionally, maybe especially in summertime, when I assume rats proliferate in the area surrounding this old theater building. Still, it's the first time I've ever had this experience in a movie theater anywhere on the planet, including in many less wealthy locations than Silver Spring.

Really cool place with interesting film offerings! Saw Memoria here which was a fascinating experience. Reasonably priced and requiring both masks and proof of vaccination, this theater is easily accessible and comfortable for those who are Covid conscious. A gem in the heart of Silver Spring for sure! Highly recommend.

I used to go to this movie location often when I was a had the hair color of a younger man. When AFI took over the spot and made changes, I was not in the area. After about 40 years since my last trip here, I went to see "Stan and Ollie". I picked this location so that I had a reason to visit this theater. I can't tell you how beautiful the entire location is, how clean and amazingly comfortable. The prices were great for a ticket and the pop corn, although a large isn't as large as AMC or Regal, was a decent size and a very good price. What a great place to enjoy an old fashioned picture show experience!!

Not much that I can say about my one of my favorite movie theaters. I do have plenty of questions as to why I haven't done a review for here sooner. Thanks to this theater I've seen some really interesting and thought provoking things. From the film with its dialog in Papiamento to the documentary Residente. I am a sucker for film festivals and AFI Silver is amazing for that. One of my biggest interests is any and all things Art Deco. Though not as grand the former Penn Theatre on Pennsylvania Ave SE, this one still functions as a movie house so I love being able to take in the space as John Eberson designed it during Hollywood's Golden Age. After buying your ticket, you walk into a very modern space. I don't lament what I didn't not know, but I think that the work was tasteful and that it does nothing to diminish the experience. I am not much on concessions but the popcorn is good. I've had it on a couple of occasions but I much prefer to simply eat at one of the wonderful restaurants in bustling downtown Silver Spring before or after catching the flick.

It sucks that I don't go to this theater enough. It's a small theater that plays current movies, indie films, and also old movies. They also host film festivals. It's very clean and the seating is very comfortable. When buying your ticket online, there is a service fee. If you need to get a refund on a ticket, you have to do it in person at the kiosk, but no refund on service fee. It's located in downtown Silver Spring so there is limited metered street parking, but plenty of nearby garages. They serve beer.

We were here last week to catch a film at the DC Labor Fest, which is hosted here every spring, and which I get to attend for free because my group advertises in the journal. We are often here for that, and I sometimes wonder why I don't come here more often. The movie screen is the old fashioned kind that I recall from my youth -- BIG, and not just an oversized TV. There is less advertising before the film than in other theaters, and the seats are uniformly comfortable. Thanks to AFI for its regular hosting of the Labor Fest.

I have lived in this area for yeeeeeeears and I had no idea this hidden gem of a theater was right in my backyard. It's right in the heart of downtown Silver Spring and within walking distance from the Metro (across from Fillmore Theater, if you know where that is). So anywho, I came here on MLK Day for a free screening of "King in The Wilderness" (SN: that is a fantastic documentary -- go watch it on Youtube and the HBO and Amazon Prime apps. But I digress!) This is a fantastic theater. It is absolutely beautiful inside -- the kind of place from another we, where you're not sure if you're about to watch a movie screen or see a live play. It's super clean and comfortable with an amazing selection of independent films. Very small staff (for example, the same guys selling popcorn at the concession stand were the ones who came into the theater to clean up the aisles after the movie) but everyone is friendly and helpful. Has a great line-up of films and film festivals coming up. Seems like a place that often draws an older / senior crowd, but people of all ages are definitely welcome. I will definitely be back!

Decent film screening venue. Squeezed in-between other buildings, it lacks exterior appeal. Large theaters, with way too many people. Sticky floors, dilapidated rest rooms. Why does this place not have a front entrance? Lots of riffraff walking around, hit you up on sidewalks.. Review: 2

DC's hidden gem elite movie theater- we're lucky to have this here. They house multiple film festivals (European Union, Latin America, Labor fest, 48 Hours film fest...). Their No1 theater rivals the top theaters in LA where they premiere films. They also have receptions, Q and A's with directors and actors, and wine and drinks. 5 min walk from Silver Spring metro. The focus is artistic or foreign films, not blockbuster releases.

Wow! check out that cool marquee! Check out the cool Deco lines! What a neat venue! Someone here spent a couple of dollars on this rennovation! These are the most comfortable seats... and, 3 out of 3 times- Amazing movies- who's picking these???? And, you get a feeling like you're somehow helping preserve history by buying your tickets at this marvelous Art Deco theater, rather than just handing over your hard earned coinage at the Mall 45 Metroplex. It's gotten to the point that we check with what AFI's playing first, before trying any of the "regular" theaters.

I originally posted a review criticizing the audio in the main theater. I have since been back for other events and films, and realized it must have been a problem with the audio of the film, not the theater itself. This is a cool theater with unique eclectic events, and they serve alcohol which is a total win for a theater. Recommended.

This is an amazing theatre that plays a curated list of movies that are bound to be enjoyable for all tastes. I mean a good movie is a good movie so I can't see how it can not be enjoyable. Anyway, the best part for me is that they have baby movie viewing on fridays at 11. It's their silver babies viewing and i take my daughter in with me and I get to watch a great quality movie for only $10. Also there are lots of other babies there so no one cares if yours cries or if you have to get up and pace the aisle. I usually take her in a carrier and it's easy for me to watch and pace in the back. I've seen two oscar contenders there this month and will probably go regularly until she gets too old. The theatre seats are also very comfortable during the short amount of time that i actually get to sit. Strollers are allowed in the bigger theaters or they are parked in the front for the smaller ones. I prefer the carrier so that I can still watch the movie even if she gets fussy. They keep some of the lights on and lower the volume but the sound is still kind of loud. Doesn't stop the babies from sleeping, however. Bathrooms are not the cleanest however.

This review is for the AFI DOCS Film Festival, June 22-26. First, documentaries aren't as commercially popular as narratives, so this festival isn't bursting at the seams like other narrative festivals where lines wrap around the block and you're lucky to get into an event or screening even if you have a ticket or pass. THIS IS A GOOD THING, because you CAN get into everything you want to get in, and you can meet some really, really spectacular people in the documentary industry! They may not be household names, but if you're in the documentary world, they're names you need to know. Names like: Jeff Hardwick (National Endowment for the Humanities), Sylvia Bugg (Corporation for Public Broadcasting), Marie Nelson (PBS), Kathleen Lingo (New York Times Op-Docs), and of course, all of the filmmakers. The festival venues are the Landmark E Street Theatre, the Newseum and of course AFI Silver in Silver Spring. It is a little inconvenient to go back and forth from Silver Spring to D.C. I met a lot of people who either stayed in Silver Spring or stayed in D.C. I was one who stayed in D.C. even though there was lots I wanted to see in Silver Spring. I would recommend AFI DOCS trolleys back and forth for festival goers. The cost of festival passes is about on par with other festivals. If you're a moviegoer, get the Film Pass. If you're in the industry and have anything to do with the production or promotion of film, get the Industry Pass or the Priority Pass. This will get you access to who you NEED to meet. And there's also lots of opportunity for education and as a bonus... food! For straight documentary film lovers, you'll see a great variety of topics and filmmakers at this festival. There's a great deal of cultural diversity at this fest, so... enjoy!

You can use moviepass here! It is a great independent movie theater that you can catch indie flicks. Beautiful old theater with a lot of seating. They do special events and have a large beer as well as wine selection. They also serve food here as well.

Came here for a month long course and it was a nice setup. The chairs in all the theaters were comfortable. In theater 1, they had outlets every 3rd seat (if I remember correctly). The wifi worked fairly well given the amount of people. The staff were nice. They even serve alcohol. Only issue I had was the cleaning of the tables by theater 3. I've been sitting at the same table for almost 2 weeks now and the same stain(s) have not been removed. I find it quite odd as I'm sure they clean other aspects of the theater. Just have to be more thorough.

Allow me to set the scene: It was 100 degrees outside. The sun was beaming. My money was running low, and the gremlins* were multiplying. I wanted to find a cool place. I checked my yelp and found that only 3 minutes away was the AFI. I went in, bought a movie ticket and a small bottle of wine and chilled. I was 40 minutes early, but no one seemed to care. I sat on the couch, grabbed a free magazine and relaxed. The seats are really comfortable and the temperature was perfect. (Those are the two most important conditions for me when I am watching a movie). I shared the theatre with 5 other people who were equally as relaxed as me. By the end of the movie - which has a sad ending- I was happy. I felt like I accomplished something and really took time to pay attention to myself. Do yourself a favor. Take a day off, go to the theatre and love yourself. *gremlins is a term that describes the swarmy looking guys who stand on the sidewalk and try to acquire telephone numbers by grabbing, following or saying "Yo, pink shirt."

This theater is so kickass. So NOT ordinary. So much more than a movie theater. I just saw a black-and-white silent movie accompanied by a three-man orchestra, rocking everything from accordion to gong. The movie was undeniably, authentically old-school, as evidenced by the fact that it took place during the Civil War and the northerners were portrayed as the bad guys. That was a little weird. But the jokes were funny! And the musical accompaniment was spot-on! Anyway, just walking into the main theater (Theater 1) is impressive. It's got a grand, Kennedy Center feel, on a smaller scale and with super cushy seats that tilt back. And forget previews - this movie kicked off with an AFI guy standing at the podium, talking eloquently about what we were about to witness, incorporating witty quips. Now that's a movie experience I can respect. Know what else I can get down with? Beer. While I'm watching. That I didn't just sneak out of my purse. You can get them at a friggin' concession stand! Side note, apparently it only takes a couple cold ones to accidentally find yourself rooting against the northerners. Whoops. Come check this place out! Maybe stick to one beer.

While the AFI Silver Theatre's technological appurtenances are state of the art, seeing a film here is a bit like going back in time. Originally built in 1938, many of the art deco finishes remain. When we saw "Away From Her" on Saturday, the audience was greeted before the show by the theatre's director who told us more about the film and talked also about upcoming events at the AFI Silver. One I'm particularly interested in is the AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival SILVERDOCS: http://silverdocs.com/about/about-silverdocs/ NOTES If you're tall, you'll appreciate the ample legroom in the historic theatre. The AFI Silver is an easy drive from NW DC via 16th Street. The public parking garage a block and a half away from the theatre at Colesville Road and Spring Street is free on Saturdays and Sundays! Yes, you heard right, FREE parking!

Where is the red carpet? The broken paparazzi bulbs? Ryan Seacrest with a mic and a suit that is as expensive as his hairdo? Oh wait, this is AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, not the Oscars. But I was treated like a celebrity the afternoon I showed up with Yelper Ben Y. to see "The Master." Because we went to a showing of "The Master" shortly after its release date, there was a long line. We were all lined up outside of the theatre and I had no idea what to expect of both the movie and the theater itself. As usual, I expected an all-black theatre with a big movie screen with soda residue and popcorn kernels on the floor. But instead we walked into a palace, a royal theatre with a vast, high ceiling, wonderful architecture, wide seats inscribed with donors' names and lots of space between them, a velvet red curtain over the screen. The entire experience was amazing. Beautiful film, beautiful place.

You have to see a movie here at least once in your lifetime! It's a 1938 landmark that was almost torn down for redevelopment of Silver Spring. The lobby isn't impressive, but the 400 seat theatre is amazing. Comfy seats with lots wiggle room! The two smaller theatres can seat 200 and 75 people respectively. The movies range from classics to current runs to themed movies such as Totally Awesome: Films of the 1980s. I saw Fast Times... here this summer ("People on ludes shouldn't drive!"). NIH even sponsored FREE movies this summer with medical-themed subject matters. Yes, the tickets are slightly more than other suburb theatres, but there are rarely any annoying teenagers at this theatre. The cafe within is sweet! Beside regular movie treats, you can get pizza, brie and crackers or pupusas. They also serve beer and wine which you can take into the theatre with you! Enjoy the show!

The past week was the Silver Docs film festival and it gave me a chance to check out the AFI. The theater was another grand old theater like Uptown. These restored theaters were charming, the high ceiling and spread out seating felt so spacious. Beautiful space. The film I watched was, Al Franken: God Spoke. It was an interesting documentary of his rise from a comdian on Saturday Night Live to being an US Senator. I really enjoyed it. So glad there are passionate people like him out there. You go, Al!

This is my favorite place to catch a movie in Silver Spring. They always have an eclectic mix of classics, documentaries, foregone films, and academy award winners/nominees. Staff is super friendly (I think their in a union or something). This is the only theatre that has popcorn that doesn't hurt my stomach. I don't know if they use higher quality ingredients or what. Best of all they have a great selection of wines and local beers.

Three and a half stars. Limited but well-curated roster of movies. Came with a small group to see the Hateful Eight 70mm roadshow. Cushioned fixed armrests, general admission seating, a couple janky seats here and there that are set way too low to the floor, extremely gradual slope as the rows go down. That said, the screen is huge, the sound quality is excellent, and staff members are polite. Two concession stands, one with more food options. Bottled beers are poured into cups to keep glass out of the equation, and there are a few solid microbrews in rotation. Aisles are wide enough that filing out to the lobby isn't terribly slow, a fair amount of trash cans are kept handy, and bathrooms are relatively clean. A solid option for locals and touring events.

This is a true gem. I love arthouse cinemas, but I also love the comfort and amenities of the large multiplexes, and this is one of the few theaters that can combine the two. I caught current release Beasts of the Southern Wild (barely playing anywhere by the way, despite the accolades) here and couldn't believe they were showing such classics as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and The Spy Who Came in From the Cold as well. I wish I could have stayed for a marathon. This is definitely a theater I'll keep checking out to see what unique playlists they can come up with. Plus, this place feels so modern, clean, and comfy. The screen was massive (a rare treat for a theater showing classics), the sound was crisp and booming, and I had plenty of leg room. I really have nothing negative to say. And of course any review would be incomplete without mentioning the wine and beer!

Went for my first time this evening with the Beau, who is a HUGE movie nerd. He goes up to AFI for at least 3-4 movies a week, so imagine his excitement in sharing his favourite spot with lil' ol' me. I was skeptical at first. There is parking in a HUGE lot (free on weekends) about a block and a half from the theatre. The ticket window is outside (and there's at least one self serve kiosk inside) which makes for a terrible time getting tickets on a cold, blustery day such as today. I'm taking away one star for AFI cos the carpet made me dizzy. Anyway, the theatre itself was small (we were in theatre 2). The seats were firm and comfortable and the aisles were spacious. Thankfully, the crowd was an older one, so there was little to no talking during the movie. I don't really get the appeal (except for that they play old movies) but I guess everyone else does. I'd be willing to venture up there again, but honestly, it's nothing special... to me, at least.

I haven't gone here once and been like, "wait...what is happening here? this place sucks"....but I have at many other places. I've had some truly amazing experiences here including the memorable MLK video footage that they showed on MLK Day. I cried along with everyone else, it was moving and there was a short lecture from an African American Professor from a local University that introduced the pieces and what we were about to watch. I've come here for all sorts of other films as well, which was always made me think about life in general as I walked away. They do NOT (I repeat) NOT show Blockbuster style movies...therefore there is nobody sitting talking in the audience, it's a place for respectable film lovers, so if you go there, act like you know. THANK YA!

Donating to the AFI/Silver each year is my best and most rewarding investment. In this beautifully refurbished classic movie theatre, the AFI celebrates the art of film, which is too frequently lost in Hollywood blockbusters. Annual membership includes (depending on donation amount) 8 free passes to most of AFI's films, discounted admittance for all other tickets, a subscription to Entertainment Weekly, AFI's annual Lifetime Achievement bound issue and a DVD. This is a great deal and an even better cause -- supporting independent film. Additionally, I have always found the AFi/Silver staff to be both knowledgeable and friendly. The concessions are relatively inexpensive and the theatres are comfortable. The AFI/Silver goes beyond just being an independent movie theatre and crosses the line into education through their director guest appearances and lecturers. This is truly a special theatre, which has a lot of history and important place in the hearts of its patrons.

AFI defines class and elegance. I'm a little afraid to post this because I don't want everyone to invade my new favorite theater. For those who want to be surrounded by moviegoers who love film, love the art, and appreciate discussion and out-of-the-norm productions, this place is it. I'm not really a fan of spending money on movies, but after discovering AFI, watching movies is a pleasure to invest in. Watching movies here feels like a privilege, and every experience allows you to discover a hidden treasures that everyone else out there hasn't seen yet. And the best part? Every member of the audience seems to want to gain something out of the film, so you don't hear the typical obnoxious giggles or stifled laughter from more mature films at regular theaters. The small theaters are so intimate and gorgeously designed in staircase speakers and shimmery gold curtains, while the larger theater (theater 1 @ entrance) is a humongous, cozy place for larger film presentations. What a wonderful experience seeing a film on Haiti in this room. There are podiums in every theater, where people often introduce significant films or speak before a showing. Ever since I discovered AFI, I've been going pretty much on a weekly basis. This is a place that I would be happy to donate my time and money to, as you should too.

Quiet, never full and you can drink wine inside of the theater. Got to see The Amy Winehouse Documentary and the Miles Davis Biopic here, I love this theater.

I just moved to Silver Spring and could not be happier to have this theater so close to my house. It is awesome! They show a mix of new, independent finds, as well as old classics! And not just the study classics, but movies like The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly; the 1989 Batman, and Star Wars just to name a few! Went there for Star Wars Episode IV Kat weekend and not only was it freaking awesome, but they had actors in costume! On top of how great the atmosphere of this kinda retro theater it's, they also have a variety of beer and wine on sale at the concession stand, which is above and being a win in my book. I've been here several times so far and plan on going back again and again!

If you are looking for recliner chairs and the theater to vibrant when the movie plays, this is not your type of movie theater. This a classic movie theater which fits the vibe of the type of movies they play. Always an interesting selection and variety of different genres. This place also offers beer, wine, and coffee.

I am so confused as to why this place has so many good reviews. I just do not understand the appeal. Maybe it's just me. I came with a friend to see a specific movie that was not playing in all theaters. Prices were high like any other movie theatre, but at least if I'm paying $13 at a normal theater, the chairs are at least somewhat cushioned. These seats were so ancient and flat. The room we were in smelled like horrible, nasty body odor from the past 400 years. I mean I could barely breathe. It got a little bit better (or we just got used to it). I don't know. Popcorn was tasty and of course expensive. Drink selection was good but also expensive. I am guessing I just did not attend one of these "events" other reviewers are mentioning and that's why I had a poor experience? I will definitely not return any time soon. I would rather wait until the movie comes to DVD/BluRay than pay to sit in a stinky theater!

A fascinating retro theater. It seemed a shoestring operation, nearly abandoned for a summer matinee (for a pretty decent movie I might add), with the main entrance closed and a sign asking customers to walk down to the cafe. It was relatively clean, and the screen and picture were not bad. The main draw here is the esoteric selection of vintage movies and limited run new releases. Definitely worth checking out.

Great spot . Saw a film festival recently, great food wine great old film what else do you need

Yes, this is the best theater in the DC area, and the single best thing to go to in Silver Spring. I have to say though, they do have their problems. Problems Social Media is lacking/ ease to look up future film events/series online while mobile. The workers can either be the nicest people in the world, or completely pretentious and rude. Getting the word out about special events What Makes Me Melt: The decor of the entire complex, but especially the Heritage Theater. REAL film screenings. A broad selection of older classics that are true cinematic gems. Their ticket prices. Yes, everyone has room to improve (please keep that in mind so you don't go out of business, AFI). But the Silver Theater obviously has a special place in my heart. I will become a regular here. Period.

I know this makes me a terrible person but I HATE leaving my quadrant, much less the whole District, for just about anything. It just seems so.far. (Keep in mind that I'm from Colorado and used to drive for 4 hours, one way, to go skiing on a Saturday. Oh how times change). Anyway, I have to say this theater is totally worth it. Not only do they show quality films, (we saw "Difret" the Angelina Jolie-Pitt produced film about child marriage in Ethiopia) but they also serve beer and wine (and delicious popcorn) and often have panels after the show so you can really think about and digest what you've seen. The theater is new, but decorated as though it's not, which means stadium-style seating and a quality screen with your Indie film. I don't want to name names but there are other DC theaters that have poles in the middle of their seating areas, which makes it rather hard to see the screen, so this was a welcome surprise. It's just off the red line, so it's easily accessible. I would definitely come back!

Wow! What a cool space! I not only saw a movie here but I also worked at the CatVidFest event. It's a beautiful theatre and every employee I encountered was wonderful. Great selection on concessions (including a lot of neat beers I wish I could have partaken in!). The popcorn and soda combo is legit though. And the Uncle Chip's peanut butter cookie saved me when I couldn't run out for a full meal in between showings. I would definitely come back here to see a movie. Great spot!

Gorgeous old style theater. I dont know if any like this still exists. Shows a great selection of classics and recent releases as well as film festival selections. All around awesome. I saw once Jesus Christ Superstar the original movie and the cast was there! I mean Im a huge musical nut and loved this movie since I was a kid so I was there along with all the people who were adults in the 70s who were fan-girl/fan-boying all over the cast.