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Best Indie Movie Theaters In Baltimore

There are many theaters located in the Baltimore area. Each has an appeal that spreads to a wide audience and each is unique in its own way. Listed below are some of the best independent movie theaters in the area.

Charles Theater
Credit: WJZ

The Charles Theater
1711 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, Md. 21201
(410) 727-3456
www.thecharles.com

This theater is best known for featuring films that appeal to a diverse clientele. Located in close proximity to Penn Station and Baltimore's developing Station North Arts district, The Charles often features those lesser-known movies known as first-run specialty films, which ultimately take the world by storm. There is also the annual Maryland Film Festival that attracts audiences from all over the world. The Charles has the capacity to seat 1,150 patrons and the 108-year-old building is very historic in the Baltimore area. The website states, "In 1939, the Times Theatre opened on the site as Baltimore's first all-newsreel movie house. The theater was re-named the Charles circa 1959 and became a calendar revival house in 1979. The Charles remained a single-screen theater until 1999, when a dramatic expansion was completed to accommodate four additional screening rooms. The new five-screen Charles has a spacious, comfortable lobby and the four new screening rooms have stadium seating."

landmark theaters
Credit: WJZ

The Landmark Theaters Harbor East 
645 S. President St.
Baltimore, Md. 21202
(410) 244-6636
www.landmarktheatres.com

Located near Baltimore's Inner Harbor, The Landmark Theaters Harbor East caters to diverse audiences. The theater is available for rental for special events. According to employee Martha, the patrons love the full-service bar that is available. There is also a gourmet concession stand that offers crab balls, crab pretzels and vegan foods. One thing that sets this theater apart from others is that the management allows you to bring in outside food and snacks. This venue features seven screens with movies available in film and digital projection. There is a special matinee price of $8.50 for movies before 4 p.m.

Senator, The Senator Theatre
(credit: The Senator)

The Senator Theatre
5904 York Road
Baltimore, Md. 21212
(410) 323-4424
www.thesenatortheatre.com

The Senator Theatre is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places in the Baltimore area. Recently renovated, the theatre features stadium seating in an art deco-style building. Features include family shows as well as unique, special eclectic shows (i.e. Opera). According to its website, the Senator shows "first run movies as well as classics." The renovations for this beloved place are not yet finished in that a restaurant is planned for its future. The Senator is located in close proximity to the Belvedere Square Shopping area and is best known in the Baltimore area as a place frequented by filmmaker John Waters.

Related: Best Independent Bookstores In The Baltimore Area

Rotunda
(credit: zvents.com)

The Rotunda Cinemas
711 W. 40th St.
Baltimore, Md. 21211
(410) 235-5554
www.horizoncinemas.com

The Rotunda Cinemas feature all digital projection and sound. There is a special price each Tuesday. The theater is available for special events and birthdays and there is a newsletter club available for patrons to receive showtimes via email. The cinema is located in Baltimore's beautiful Rotunda and in close proximity to various high-end restaurants and shops housed within the building. Additional Baltimore locations for Horizon Cinemas are Beltway Movies and the newly renovated Pikes Theatre.

Related: Best Independent Movie Theaters In The Baltimore Area 

Vickie Lawson is a freelance writer whose work can be found on Examiner.com.

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