Coolidge Corner Theatre

290 Harvard Street,
Brookline, MA 02446

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Related Websites

Coolidge Corner Theatre Home Page (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Strand Theaters

Functions: Movies (Classic), Movies (Independent), Movies (Second Run)

Styles: Art Deco

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 617.734.2500
Manager: 617.734.2501

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News About This Theater

Coolidge Corner Theatre

Converted in 1933 as an Art Deco style movie house from a 1906-built Universalist church in the Boston suburb of Brookline, the 1,200-seat Coolidge Corner Theatre has been showing movies for over ninety years.

New management shifted the Coolidge Corner’s schedule from first run films in 1977 as the theatre became a showcase for art house and foreign films.

In an effort to increase profits, the balcony was closed off and converted into a second screen. Despite the renovation, the theatre could no longer turn an adequate profit and was put up for sale and nearly demolished.

In 1989, the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation bought the theatre and now houses a steady stream of art house, second run films and classic movies. A 45-seat video screening room was added in 2000. One more small video screening room has since been added bringing the total screen count to four.

In June 2021, an expansion was announced, designed by architects Howeler + Yoon, a 14,000-square foot addition that complements the four existing auditoriums, including two new screens (150 and 57 seats), an expanded glass-walled lobby, and a new community education and engagement center with a 60-seat classroom. The theatre’s main entrance will be moved to the Centre Street parking lot at the back of the building, giving moviegoers more space to socialize inside before screenings. The two new screens opened on March 27, 2024.

The Coolidge Corner Theatre is the only currently operating Art Deco style theatre in the Boston area.

Recent comments (view all 64 comments)

Movieholic
Movieholic on February 11, 2016 at 4:42 pm

I recently renewed my membership. Seeing The Hateful Eight in its brief Ultra Panavision 70MM RSE New Year’s Day was a wonderfully old fashioned, I mean that as a compliment, experience, especially with a packed house. At the risk of sounding corny, it felt special. From what I heard, the “experiment” wasn’t a success so it’s unlikely we’ll be seeing more of them in the future. Joyously telling the audience what to expect prior to show time with infectious enthusiasm, the projectionist did a fantastic job framing and masking the picture on the screen. He also stated we were in for a treat and I don’t think anyone was disappointed.

morganfitzp
morganfitzp on March 26, 2016 at 9:02 am

I grew up going to see double features at the Coolidge and then landed my first job there in high school under the ownership of Justin Freed. He had hated to twin the place, but did a great job preserving the original screen and converting the balcony into a nice 290 seat theater. After the Foundation took over, they sold the original street front lobby space to retail and moved the theatre entrance to the side. I have many good stories about the Coolidge.

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on July 25, 2018 at 2:14 pm

Along with the Capitol Theatre in Arlington, the Somerville Theatre, the Lexington Venue, and the IMAX screens at the Aquarium and Jordan’s Furniture, this is one of the very few theatres that continue to advertise in the Boston Globe Movie Directory.

MaxAndDave
MaxAndDave on April 24, 2019 at 5:37 pm

So very sorry to hear of David Kleiler’s passing. Boston’s reputation as a haven for movie fans owes much to his efforts with the Coolidge.

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on April 24, 2019 at 6:02 pm

Link to obit of film professor who saved this theater! https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/obituaries/2019/04/23/david-kleiler-independent-film-impresario-who-saved-coolidge-corner-theatre-dies/zYx9xUw7GcO7NfQn0TsfVN/story.html

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on July 31, 2019 at 9:16 pm

1936 photo added courtesy Anne Continelli, via the Dirty Old Boston facebook page.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on July 31, 2019 at 9:20 pm

Brookline Historical Society link with a photo of the Coolidge Corner Universalist Church circa 1906.

http://www.brooklinehistoricalsociety.org/archives/slideShowStreets.asp?move=next&ID=HarvardSt-063&fbclid=IwAR3M2dNcto_fpMTVcrt45HP_QBDJvXXpDTX-cpeBVl7OKYUwiG3R5fl9mXs

videonitekatt
videonitekatt on October 20, 2022 at 7:25 pm

For years, the home of the Boston Scifi Marathon - till they were thrown out!

Oh, and last time I looked, The Somerville Theater’s main house was STILL art-deco, and had it’s balcony still part of the main house - 900+ seats!

chitchatjf
chitchatjf on February 1, 2023 at 6:38 am

OK so w1hen do cinemas 5 and 6 open?

chitchatjf
chitchatjf on March 20, 2024 at 7:00 am

As of Wed March 27 you can mark it as 6 screens

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