Independent Movie Theaters in Detroit: A Vanishing Breed?

Independent Movie Theaters in Detroit: A Vanishing Breed?

It’s a hard truth: indie film lovers in Detroit have fewer options now. The city has lost the well-loved Main Art Theater in Royal Oak and the Maple Theater in Bloomfield Township. Cinema Detroit too is searching for a permanent home after departing from its rented space.

These art houses, small cinemas that screen a diverse selection of independent, foreign, and classic films, are at the heart of a community of movie lovers who hunger for the rare and the original. But the theaters themselves face an uphill battle.

The Challenges of Indie Cinemas

Indie theaters are dealing with several challenges. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic had a big impact on every theater. But indie cinemas have their own unique set of problems.

First, there’s competition from streaming sites. Second, costs are rising while donations are dwindling. And finally, the delay in movie production due to strikes in Hollywood in 2023 slowed the release of new films for 2024.

While big multiplexes are seeing a revival, thanks to action-packed blockbusters and family-friendly sequels, indie cinemas are finding it hard to regain their footing. According to survey data, their main demographic, people 60 and older, are hesitant to return to their local theaters.

Local Favorites: The Main, the Maple, and Cinema Detroit

The Main Art Theater and the Maple Theater had been fixtures in Detroit’s movie scene for many years before their closures. The Main opened in 1941 and started screening indie films in 1983 until it was demolished in 2022, despite a spirited community effort to save it. The Maple Theater wrapped up operations in 2024.

Cinema Detroit, still operating as a pop-up cinema, aims to find a permanent location soon, after leaving its rented space in 2023. Interestingly, a survey in 2024 showed that audiences still love and value indie cinemas, indicating a possible resurgence in the future.

The Survivor and New Entrants

Despite the closure of some local favorites, Detroit still has a small collection of indie theaters. The Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts, led by veteran Elliot Wilhelm, has been a constant presence, showcasing contemporary and classic world cinema.

Other smaller operations have responded to the closure of the big indie cinemas. Nonprofit organization Cinema Lamont, for instance, does pop-up events around the city. Independent exhibitors also band together to screen classic films at the Redford Theatre annex.

Indie Cinema’s Future

Despite the challenges, the love for indie cinema remains strong in Detroit. In fact, a Facebook page hoping to revive the old Berkley Theater, which closed in the 1990s, attracted over 400 members in just its first seven weeks.

Still, it’s clear that passionate audiences alone might not be enough. To keep indie cinema alive, we need concerted efforts from the community in terms of financial support.

So, if you enjoy the unique, niche films that you can’t find in the big multiplexes, don’t forget to support your local indie cinema. Their survival depends on us, the movie-goers.