A Rainy Day at the Movies

Nine local cinemas to explore in northern Michigan

By Al Parker | June 8, 2024

What to do when life gives you a rainstorm on a summer day? Brave the deluge with an umbrella, or stay dry and head to one of the region’s historic movie theaters. Many of these cinematic gems date back a century or more, and they play everything from the latest box office releases to indie gems you won’t find on streaming services. Grab a bag of popcorn, a box of candy, and enjoy the show.What to do when life gives you a rainstorm on a summer day? 

Bay Theatre

Find It: On Suttons Bay’s main drag at 214 N. St. Joseph Street.

A Side of History: For more than 70 years, the Bay has been a heartbeat of the community, a place where friends and visitors gather to enjoy wonderful films and live events. In late 2018, the family-owned landmark was set to close, but the community rallied to form a nonprofit to take over operation of the theater. Its first film was shown on Jan. 1, 2019, and during that year support grew, with annual attendance soaring to more than 17,000 visitors. That year, the Bay Community Theatre Organization bought the building and still operates it today.

Don’t Miss: The 1947 vintage Driftwood is set for a 1pm matinee on July 16. It tells the story of a druggist (Walter Brennan) and a doctor (Dean Jagger) who adopt a Bible-quoting orphan (Natalie Wood) out West.

Bet You Didn’t Know…: The Bay is the only movie theater in Leelanau County. 

Bijou By the Bay 

Find It: The official address is 181 E. Grandview Parkway in Traverse City, but many locals know it as the former Con Foster Museum.

A Side of History: Originally built by the Civil Works Administration in the 1930s, the building housed the Con Foster Museum and its 10,000 Midwestern Native American and Michigan settler artifacts for decades before sitting vacant for several years. It was transformed into a state-of-the-art movie theater in 2013 and joins its sister property, the State Theatre, under the Traverse City Film Festival nonprofit umbrella. 

Bet You Didn’t Know…: We found it fitting that Con Foster was manager of TC’s State Theatre back when it was called the Lyric. Foster started his movie career at the age of 13 as an usher in Boston’s Bijou Theatre. He moved to Traverse City in 1917 to run the Lyric, a job he continued until his death in 1940. He also served as head of the Chamber of Commerce, a city commissioner, and mayor of what he called “the best little city in the world.” Transforming the defunct museum named in his honor into a cinema pays tribute to TC’s original movie house impresario.

Charlevoix Cinema III

Find It: 107 Antrim Street in downtown Charlevoix

A Side of History: This gem has been in Charlevoix since 1918, first on Bridge Street as a single-screen cinema. In 2022, it moved to 107 Antrim Street as a three-screen theater. Current owners took over that year and run it as a family-owned and operated business.

Don’t Miss: They show first run movies year-round and occasionally invite local indie films for special showings. “New this year is a free Summer Movie Series every Saturday for a matinee showing from June through August, which each week also promotes a food drive for local pantries,” says owner Tom Jillson. “We are also looking to provide the free movie series for the rest of the year as a monthly offering if all goes well this summer and we have interest with our community partners.”

Bet You Didn’t Know…: You can rent the marquee and/or poster cases to put up messages you might want to share with the community. Special birthday? Upcoming anniversary? They’ve even had a wedding proposal on the marquee!

Elk Rapids Cinema 

Find It: Right on the main drag at 205 River St. in this quaint Antrim County village

A Side of History: On September 20, 1940, the Elk Rapids State Theatre was built and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Loomis. It was designed by Louis C. Kingscott and stands today as a beautiful example of the art-deco style. The second owners were Mr. and Mrs. Howard Coddington of Traverse City, who became stewards in 1960 and changed the name, simply, to the “Cinema.” Joe Yuchasz bought the theater from the Coddingtons in 1973 and kept it running until he passed away in January of 2023. In October 2023, it was purchased and is now operated by the Chalfonte Foundation.  

Bet You Didn’t Know…: It’s the home of the world’s largest black light ceiling mural.

Garden Theater

Find It: You can find this historic theater on the corner of 3rd and Main Streets in downtown Frankfort. It’s been there for 100 years, and there will be a blowout celebration on Aug. 16 to honor this small-town cornerstone.

A Side of History: In 1924, the twenties were roaring and Frankfort celebrated by opening the art-deco Garden Theater to offer the public motion pictures. It’s been in continuous use ever since, but over the decades it was in need of a makeover. So in 2018, the nonprofit Friends of the Garden Theater was formed with a mission to use this historic gem to build a stronger community. Hundreds of volunteers have worked diligently to upgrade this gem so it may last another 100 years.

Don’t Miss: This summer, the Garden stage will highlight the arts in all forms, including film, live music, and dance. Beginning June 14-16 the Garden will host the Frankfort48 Film Contest, and Cousin Curtiss will kick off the popular Garden Summer Concert Series on June 26. 

Bet You Didn’t Know…: Ring-a-ding-ding! The Garden will host a free handbell choir performance on June 22 at 1pm.

Lyric Theatre

Find It: Visit 275 East Main in Harbor Springs

A Side of History: The Lyric Theatre was conceptualized in March of 2014 with the objective to create a stunning cinema in downtown Harbor Springs. After 35 years, there would be movies back on Main Street. (The theater is one block away from the original, which closed its doors in 1981.) Civic-minded individuals discussed the economic impact that this facility would bring to the community, and the result was an economic boost of activity for restaurants and created a cultural center for locals and seasonal visitors. In 2014, the site was purchased, and when the remodeling started, it consisted of three large retail stores. Everything was removed and taken down to the original walls to create three new theater spaces inside the building. The remodeling started in November of 2015 and completed in the summer of 2016.

Don’t Miss: The much-anticipated Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, starring Kevin Costner and Sienna Miller, begins on June 28. Despicable Me 4 opens on July 3. 

Bet You Didn’t Know...: Opera fans are not forgotten. They might want to check out La Boheme (July 24), La Cenerentola (July 31), and Turandot (August 7).

Rialto Theater

Find It: Look for this gem at 302 E. Michigan Ave. in Grayling.

A Side of History: The Rialto is a story of cinematic longevity. Built in 1915 by brothers George and W. James Olson, it’s one of the oldest family-owned theaters in the country. Same family at the same location.

Don’t Miss: The Garfield Movie kicks off the summer showings. Chris Pratt and Samuel L. Jackson voice the main characters in this fun-filled adventure.

Bet You Didn't Know...: About the Popcorn Bucket deal. The refillable popcorn buckets cost $22.95 plus tax, and you can refill them as many times as you want for an entire year for $2.99 plus tax. Proceeds support the Christian Help Center Food Pantry; the Rialto has already donated $1,000 and will give $10 for every bucket you buy.

State Theatre

Find It: It’s a downtown Traverse City anchor at 233 Front Street.

A Side of History: On July 4, 1916, the Lyric Theatre opened. In 1948 it was destroyed by fire, for the second time, and rebuilt the following year with a new name, the State Theatre. It operated for years until closing in 1996. The building eventually wound up in the hands of Rotary Charities, who donated it to the Traverse City Film Festival in 2007. Following a renovation, it reopened on Nov. 17, 2007, showing The Kite Runner. It was long the home of the Traverse City Film Festival, and the handprints of visiting movie stars dot the sidewalk outside. Today, though the weeklong summer festival is no longer running, the theater offers TCFF Tuesdays, with year-round showings of films curated by Michael Moore.

Don’t Miss: What if millions of people around the world had wildly different dreams that all featured the same middle-aged, balding, white man? That’s what happens in Dream Scenario, starring Nicolas Cage. Check it out on June 18. A week later, on June 25, two films by noted German director Wim Wenders will be shown: Perfect Days and Anselm. (All of the above are part of TCFF Tuesdays!)

Bet You Didn’t Know...: The twinkling stars in the theater’s atmospheric ceiling were mapped to exactly match the stars and constellations of the August night sky of northern Michigan. Over 2,000 fiber optic lights were painstakingly installed through holes placed in the ceiling to create this great treasure.

Vogue Theatre

Find It: The downtown Manistee landmark sits at 383 River Street.

A Side of History: The Vogue Theatre was built in 1938, during the Great Depression, and was a northern Michigan spin on an art-deco theme with a deeply recessed entry that led to a modern lobby and 935 comfy seats. The Vogue operated until 2005 when it closed. Eventually, a nonprofit would guide the theater’s rehabilitation, which began in 2012. It was a complete rehab of the place, inside and out, including mechanical and plumbing systems, roofing, and interior with two screens. The large “grand theatre” seats 187, while the intimate smaller screen seats 44. The lobby was completely rebuilt and a new digital projection system installed.

Don’t Miss: The Wednesday Classics series shows great films at 10am and 7pm for only $2.Coming up are Big Fish on June 12, Do the Right Thing on June 19, and Jurassic Park on June 26. Saturday Family Matinees show at 10am and are only 25 cents—a chance to see The Goonies on June 15, Smurfs: The Lost Village on June 22, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse on June 29.

Bet You Didn’t Know...: Birthday party rentals are available on Saturday mornings at 10:30am. Reservations have to be made at least two weeks prior to the party date, so please plan accordingly. Base price is $50 for 10 attendees.