Salem Cinema

If you came to Salem Cinema looking for newer, more mainstream movies with a big Box Office budget, you’ll be disappointed. If you want a place to go watch independent movies, that has good coffee, a few different screens, and great staff, this is your place.
I used to be somewhat of a movie snob, and not in the good way. I would give in to the popular trailers and see what the industry paid a lot of money to expose to me. But there is a whole hidden gem out there of independent movies that simply doesn’t have the budget to market and advertise in the same ways. These movies are sometimes award winning, and worth the watch!
I love the small town feel of Salem Cinema and I am so glad that we have this here in Salem. There are a few screens to show a few different films, and there is a concession stand for popcorn, coffee, soda, etc. With some random, yet delicious, pastries. It’s every bit as spendy as a big budget theatre (I do hope one day theatres will catch on that they don’t NEED to, and SHOULDN’T charge that much for snacks!)
I will definitely go back!

Cool little indie type theatre with good movies, reasonable ticket prices and fairly cheap delicious popcorn with butter and Parmesan cheese! Oh yeah

This is one of those businesses that makes me think Salem is culturally headed in the right direction. It warms my heart to see them doing well.
I’m a admittedly a big movie snob. I watch the Academy Awards with great interest every year. I follow film festivals. You can watch most of the nominees right here at Salem Cinema.
The staff is knowledgeable about movies and they will chat you up in the nicest way. Contrary to popular belief, there is a difference between good art and bad art. If you want to avoid the line at Birdman IV next summer might I suggest you give this place a shot.

Love this place! They offer the best movies out, great seating with an undisturbed view of the screen in all their theaters and a wonderful variety of snacks, awesome popcorn toppings and even ice cream goodies! Staff is always friendly and efficient and offer details on movies out. Anymore, movie hall staff could care less — not here!
If you’re wondering where to see something — come to Salem Cinema. I love this spot!

I was invited to revisit the Salem Cinema as they have converted to Digital Cinema Projection. My wife and I went on New Years to see Birdman. This movie is so visually rich, and I was amazed at the quality of the new projector. I work with video and know much about projection quality, and I did not once see the projector noise or any color shift whatsoever. I was truly lost in the movie, and that is all I ever want to experience when at the movie theater. Great theater to watch great art films.

Very nice theatre with a great selection of «art» films. They have real popcorn with real butter and a nice selection of cookies and other unusual snacks. Not the run of the mill candy.

Loretta (owner/​operator) and crew are wonderful, every time. Love the theater, love the movies they show, love the snacks they offer, love it all. And it doesn’t hurt that since the move from Pringle Park Plaza they are literally 5 minutes from our house. We are regulars and will always patron here.

Love going to Salem Cinema. Remember to order some fresh popcorn and add toppings! Clean, comfortable and locally owned.

Lovely little cinema with the independent films! You can get parmesan on your popcorn too, for 25 cents extra. :)

I love Salem Cinema. I love, love love Salem Cinema.
Support it. Take your dates there. Go there. Love it.
It can not go away! It must be a part of Salem!
It’s beautiful, it’s films are cultivated and genius, and it’s awesome.

I will admit it, I normally doing go see a movie in the theater unless it’s a big blockbuster or I’m on a date. The price these days is out of control.
Still, I ocassionally go see an indie… and I am so thankful that Salem Cinema is around.
Now, their old location… that would have gotten 4 stars. But the new one is really cool and looks gorgeous. I’ll be honest, if you want to impress a date and look like you are pretty «with» it, take them here.

Fond memories of going to this cinema in College. Best independents.

I adore this little theater.
I’ve been four times, and twice, the owner has come out and stood down in the front, chatting and talking, and then asks people what they think of their experience. She asks for feedback on her advertising and web presence, as well as what kinds of films the audience might be interested in and things like that. It’s wonderful to know, first hand, that you are supporting a truly local business and that the owner is right there, trying to take care of her clientele. I made a vow then and there that if there was a movie that looked even slightly interesting, I would go to this theater.
The theaters themselves are small, but the seats are extremely comfortable. This is a theater the way they were designed when they first came out. Rich seating and atmosphere, a wonderful popcorn smell on entering, and the décor is just perfect. I know at least one theater also has the front row removed, and a set of leather couches put in. I sat in these myself once, and my only complaint was I had to creak my head up to see the screen. But since I could slouch in the seat, it sort of evened out.
The films shown here are usually that; films. They’ve often won awards and many are in other languages with sub-​titles. Sometimes, though, a film will come through here that suddenly gets nationwide buzz, but I’ve seen it first. «The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo» is the first one I can think of. I watched this on a whim, and then a few weeks later, suddenly I can’t get away from this guys books and people talking about the films made of his novels. I also saw «Black Swan» here, before I even knew what it was about, and the next thing you know, everyone is talking about Natalie Portman’s fabulous performance. Well, I saw the movie before anyone had even heard about it. Well, anyone in my circle of friends, at any rate.
I love that films will come through here that you may not get a chance to see anywhere else. I love that there isn’t a THX surround sound system that’s trying to deafen you, so that they can give you every little ounce of bullet ricochet.
I love this place, and would hope that everyone in Salem supports this theater, so that we can continue to have movies of this caliber to watch, in such a fine location.

Wonderful movie selections, super clean and comfy. The snacks look tasty, although we didn’t indulge. Went on a Friday at 8 PM and it was pretty empty, which makes me sad — this place is a real treasure!

Great selection of independent & foreign films! I had been dying to see «The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest» but missed my opportunity when it was playing in Portland. I found out it was playing at Salem Cinema and decided to make the little trek down. The theater is small, but the seats were comfortable and the picture & sound quality were fine.
My favorite thing? The popcorn! I asked for it with butter and the lady at the concession stand offered to add an extra scoop of real melted butter for twenty-​five cents. So delicious. :-)

Nothing prepared me for just how small the theatres in this place would be. Not to worry though, as Salem Cinema doesn’t play those Hollywood hits that attract thousands. Instead, they run many independent films that attract a more, oh… let’s say «cultured» crowd.
The small theatres offer stadium seating with just one difference: Faux leather couches at the very front to replace the neck wrenching seats. If I had had a more satisfying (read: gut busting) lunch at Maynards just prior to our show, I would have selected the couch.

For independent films, this is THE theater in Salem. The owner frequently selects award movies from many countries. This is a well-​designed, attractive theater, not a chain. Snacks are above-​average, too! You get real butter on your popcorn & fresh strong coffee.

Definitely my favorite theater in Salem, and they often have movies I want to see that aren’t playing elsewhere. Seats are comfortable, no complaints with the screen or sound quality. It’s also a bit cheaper than the megaplexes — $ 8 for a regular ticket rather than $ 9 or $ 10. Snacks are cheaper and better too; real cookies, chocolate, etc., and I think it’s possible to get both a drink and something to eat for $ 5 or less, which you can’t do at the chains.

Very nice theater… as it was my first at this new location… saw Babies. The front lobby is very nice — and it has an extensive food/​drink selection (including coffee). The movie theater itself is very nice inside — raised stadium seating with comfortable chairs. The only weird thing was that before Babies started, the owner lady came out to speak with the audience — and proceeded to lecture us on cell phone usage and being quiet throughout the show. Uh… we’re not children… gosh! Anyway, its worth visiting here… as its pretty nice.