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North Carolina Movie Theatres

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Fine Arts Theatre
Asheville, NC		 Varsity Theatre
Chapel Hill, NC		 Capri Theatre
Charlotte, NC
The Fine Arts Theatre was originally named the Strand Theatre. In the 1990s, it operated as a porn theater. The balcony has been converted into a second screen. The theatre was restored and reopened in 1997 as a movie theatre. It also hosts the annual Asheville Film Festival. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

The Varsity Theatre opened in the early 1950s and is still operating. For more, see this website. [map]

The Capri Theatre opened in 1964 and was closed by 1996. Later, the building was converted into a boxing center and then a nightclub known as "Stir". The building most recently housed the Escapade nightclub. It now houses a Hertz Car Sales office. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Canton:
Colonial Theatre

More Charlotte:
Belvedere Theatre

Eden:
Grand Theatre

Elkin:
Reeves Theatre

Paramount Theatre
Farmville, NC		 Graham Cinema
Graham, NC
The Paramount Theatre was built in 1921. It closed in 1961 and is now used by the Farmville's Community Arts Council for live performances. For more, see this website. [map]

The Graham Cinema opened as the Graham Theatre in 1935. It was remodeled in 1941 and is still in operation. For more, see this website. [map]

Carolina Theatre
Greensboro, NC
The Carolina Theatre was designed by James M. Workman and built in 1927 for Saenger-Publix. In 1975, the building was saved from demolition and reopened in 1977. The theatre is now used as a performing arts facility. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Carolina Theatre
Hickory, NC
The Carolina Theatre opened in 1935 and is still operating as a movie theatre. It also features community events. For more, see this website. [map]

High Point:
Center Theatre

Gem Theatre
Kannapolis, NC
The Gem Theatre was built in 1936 and the marquee sign is from then. The back of the theatre burned down in 1942 and was completely rebuilt in 1948. The theatre has been owned by the City since 2015. In 2021, the neon sign was restored and other renovations were done to the interior. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Kinston:
Paramount Theatre

House Theatre
Marion, NC		 Downtown
Cinema Theatre
Mount Airy, NC
The House Theatre was built around 1950 and closed in 1965. These photos are from 2010. In recent years, the space housed the P&H Music House and was used for live performances. It has been vacant for many years. For more, see this website. [map]

The Downtown Cinema Theatre opened in 1938 as the Earle Theatre. It closed in 1980. The building was donated to the Surry Arts Council which has reopened the theatre. This photo is from 2010. By 2013, the name on the marquee had been changed back to the Earle. The theatre continues to offer movies and also houses the Old-Time Music Heritage Hall. For more, see this website. [map]

Murphy:
Henn Theatre

Orpheum Theatre
Oxford, NC		 Kirby Theatre
Roxboro, NC
The Orpheum Theatre was built in 1942. The building housed law offices when this photo was taken in 2010. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is now used for live performances and events. For more, see this website. [map]

The Kirby Theatre opened in 1949 and in 1973. It was then purchased by the County and reopened as the Kirby Civic Auditorium, a performing arts center. For more, see this website. [map]

Roanoke Rapids:
Peoples Theatre

Rocky Mount:
Booker T Theatre [map]
Ritz Theatre [map]

Wilrik Theatre
Sanford, NC		 Temple Theatre
Sanford, NC
The Wilrik Theatre was built in 1955 and closed in 1985. There was talk of turning the theatre into a performing arts center in 2004. However, when this photo was taken in 2010, the building was still vacant. By 2013, the building was housing a pawn shop. For more, see this website. [map]

The Temple Theatre was built in 1925 for vaudeville. In the 1930s, it was converted into a movie theatre. It closed in 1965 and around 1981 it was donated to Lee County. In 1983, the Temple was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The theatre was renovated and reopened in 1984 as a performing arts center. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]

Rogers Theatre
Shelby, NC
2010:
The Rogers Theatre was built in 1936 for vaudeville and films. It closed in 1985. It operated as the Don Gibson Theatre for a while. In 2009, restoration began and is still ongoing. The blade sign above the marquee was removed by 2010. There are plans to turn the theatre into a performing arts center. For more, see this website. [map]

former State Theatre
Shelby, NC
The Don Gibson Theatre opened as the State Theatre in 1939. In later years, it was known as the Flick Theatre. In 2009, it was restored as the Don Gibson with live performances and films. Around 2022, the marquee's readerboards were replaced with electronic message boards. For more, see this website. [map]

More Shelby:
Washington Theatre

Carolina Theatre
Spruce Pine, NC
The Carolina Theatre was built in 1937. Since the late 1940s, this theatre has also featured live performances. In the mid-1980s, the theatre was twinned. In the early 1990s, it was converted into a pizza restaurant. It was then used by a church group, and several other restaurants. These photos are from 2010. The building is now vacant. The sign at the right above is still located behind the building. There was another marquee on the front of the building that has been replaced. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. [map]

Tarboro:
Colonial Theatre

Ansonia Theatre
Wadesboro, NC
The Ansonia Theatre was built in 1925. I believe it closed sometime in the 1960s. In 2004, a major renovation began. This photo is from 2010. In 2011, the theatre reopened as a performing arts center. For more, see this website. [map]

Washington:
Turnage Theatre

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