Dallas’ Best Movie Theaters: 5 Film Palaces Worthy of Your Night Out

If you haven’t noticed, Dallas weather can change in a blink of an eye. One minute it’s sunny and 104 degrees, the next you’re shaming yourself for not bringing an raincoat. Unfortunately, long-lasting summer heat is one certainty we can rely on. The muggy, humid weather is here to stay.

As August wraps up, there’s no point in trying to enjoy the great outdoors (unless you’re dipping into one of Dallas’ many pools).  Instead, give yourself a break, eat some good food and see that movie you’ve been dying to see. These are Dallas’ best movie theaters:

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

We love this spot, and not just because it was the location of the wild Crazy Rich Asians Dallas premiere party. Show up at least a half hour before your movie begins to scope out the scene and grab a drink at the “Glass Half Full” taproom. The bar features more than 30 draft beers, at least half of them local.

Our favorite part of going to Alamo Drafthouse is having dinner and a show. Waiters will bring whatever your heart desires – milkshakes, burgers, salads and more – right to your reclining seat in the theater. Each seat comes with an order card to make the service quiet and quick.

Want to tattle on the lame-o in the front seat who refuses to turn off his phone? Alamo can help you with that, too. This theater chain brings a well-earned reputation for kicking out poorly-behaved movie goers, so keep your phone in your pocket.

LOOK Cinemas

The experience at LOOK Cinemas can be summed up in two simple words: POWER RECLINERS. The theater prides itself on its ultra comfy, lounge-back seating, but there are plenty of other reasons to stop by. The Dolby Atmos screens and surround sound systems make it an immersive movie experience, plus you can have food from Nick & Sam’s Grill delivered to you.

LOOK Cinemas is the perfect place to pass a lazy afternoon.

Coyote Drive-In

While our other movie theater picks are perfect rainy day getaways, this is one you’ll want to save for a clear day. The Coyote Drive-In is not weather proof, but it is a great spot for stargazing. The outdoor movie theater in Fort Worth can best be described as half beer garden, half movie theater – an amazing two-for-one.

Coyote knows what it’s doing when it comes to these retro theaters. It offers more than 1,300 parking spots and screens up to 60 feet by 90 feet long, in addition to the $600,000 worth of projection equipment. These theaters aren’t a dime a dozen — and we can confirm this one lives up to all your high standards.

The Texas Theater

I’m no history buff, but the significance of this theater seems to be much more important than what’s playing on the screen. The Texas Theater was, of course, the place where police finally captured Lee Harvey Oswald, the man who shot President John F. Kennedy.

We promise, despite its dark past, the theater is still fun. It’s filled with incredible deco decor mixed with modern touches. For example, one might find a record player sitting on the bar. It’s one of those places where there’s a surprise around every corner, one being a luxurious seat to cuddle up and watch a chick-flick. No complaints there.

The Angelika Film Center

The Angelika is considered a cult favorite among millennials who only like to watch documentaries. This movie retreat is located in Mockingbird Station, a quick hop, skip and a jump away from the SMU campus and the DART.

Nonetheless, prepare to see indie flicks and foreign films galore. Never fear, you can still see the normal, box office giants playing everywhere else, but in a cooler environment. Angelika’s proven itself as a hotspot of Dallas film by hosting events such as the Dallas International Film Festival and the USA Film Festival.