Indiana University Cinema — Local services in Bloomington

If you want to see artsy or just independent movies, the IU Cinema is one of two ways to do that in Bloomington, Indiana. The theater is small so you if you want tickets, either free or purchased, for an event, you need to get them quickly. The cinema hosts several film festivals every year so make sure you check out their website and join their email list if you live in town or nearby. Ticket prices are generally similar to mainstream movie theaters but many films are free though of a very limited run (usually one or two showings). Filmmakers and scholars often participate and these add a good deal to your enjoyment of the movies if you can make time for them. There are very limited concessions and the bathrooms are down a flight of stairs; there is an elevator if you have mobility issues but this isn't the most accessible venue. We've always enjoyed it and attend a showing or festival here at least twice a year when we can make the time. Note: Parking is horrible on campus, you will be walking a good distance...

Great variety of film. Occasionally the opportunity to Q/A with directors and filmmakers presents itself (very cool). Comfortable seating. Stairwell to the bathrooms are horribly narrow.

The image quality is awesome and the sound quality is nice, but always too loud. Every showing I've been to here has left me with a headache due to piercing audio. The high frequencies (the ones that damage hearing) are way too high. This is coming from a sound guy who enjoys a loud show.

Other than the piercing audio and the path to the bathrooms, the IU...

This is Art Cinema at its best, featuring an eclectic programming every year, with a variety of events, movies series, and speakers. The sound system is fantastic and, as one of the few art houses with multiple projection systems, it is able to show many movies in their original format and prints. You will not find any stadium seating here but the seats are comfortable and there is enough space between rows for most people. One of the extra perks in...