Whether you want to get cozy in an old-fashioned movie theater, motor over to a nostalgic drive-in or be wowed by an awesome IMAX experience, you’ll find it all in Illinois.
Egyptian Theatre
The Egyptian was built in the 1920s during the excitement of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. This restored Art Deco dream features exotic Egyptian details that include two huge pharaohs guarding the theater’s temple-like entrance.
DeKalb
135 N. 2nd Street
815-758-121
www.egyptiantheatre.org
Lake Theatre
This restored Art Deco gem recently celebrated 75 years in business. Classic details include the original 1930s marquee and decorative ceiling fixtures salvaged from former Chicago-area movie houses.
Oak Park
1022 Lake Street
708-848-908
www.classiccinemas.com
Lindo Theatre
This theater’s name is a combination of Lincoln and Douglas, a tribute to the duo’s famous political debate held in Freeport in 1858. The vertical marquee is a reproduction of the 1922 original.
Freeport
115 S. Chicago Avenue
815-233-041
www.classiccinemas.com
Music Box Theatre
Catch independent and foreign films at this popular Wrigleyville theater. With its melding of Spanish and Italian design influences, the theater’s ceiling of twinkling stars and courtyard design are meant to inspire the feeling of watching a film in an open-air palazzo
Chicago
3733 N. Southport Avenue
773-871-660
www.musicboxtheatre.com
Patio Theater
This newly reopened theater on the city’s Northwest Side features an ornate neo-Pompeian design with a simulated night sky ceiling complete with moving clouds and blinking stars.
Chicago
6008 W. Irving Park Road
773-685-429
www.patiotheater.net
Pickwick Theatre
This Art Deco stunner is a historic landmark in charming downtown Park Ridge. The main auditorium also hosts live music and theatrical performances.
Park Ridge
5 S. Prospect Avenue
847-825-580
www.pickwicktheatre.com
Portage Theatre
Home of the Silent Film Society of Chicago, the Portage has been restored to its 1920s Beaux Arts opera house design. The Portage was used as a film location for the gangster flick “Public Enemies.”
Chicago
4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue
773-736-405
www.portagetheater.org
Tivoli Theatre
This elegant French Renaissance-style theater, opened on Christmas Day in 1928, was one of the first in the country built to show “talkies.” Come early on Friday and Saturday nights to hear one of the house organists play the Wurlitzer pipe organ.
Downers Grove
5021 Highland Avenue
5021 Highla
www.classiccinemas.com
Woodstock Theatre
This 1920s theater is located on Woodstock’s picturesque town square. The theater was used as a filming location for “Groundhog Day,” and screens the comedy every year for free during the town’s Groundhog Days festival in February.
Woodstock
209 Main Street
815-338-855
www.classiccinemas.com
