The absolute best cinema experience in Chapel Hill and surrounding areas -- The Chelsea Theater is a celebration of the classic movie-going experience. Seats are very comfortable, sound is fantastic, popcorn literally cannot be beat, fantastic merchandise shop, extremely friendly and film nerd (complimentary) staff, and -- best of all -- a carefully curated selection of films week over week! Do not miss out on this wonderful theater! Now, Chelsea Theater, please give me a follow back on Letterbxd lol ChristopherL https://boxd.it/Ero1 read more

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Came here for CatVideoFest lol, and had a great time! Chelsea Theater is located in an unassuming shopping complex, but the inside is super cute. Relatively small, but has everything you need in a theater- snacks and drinks, large projection screen, comfy reclining seats. There's a large parking lot. 10/10 would recommend! read more

My favorite place to see independent films! Very helpful staff with great recommendations. A nice selection of films and events. Nicely updated theaters, and great concession options! Highly recommend. read more

A warm and cozy theater with great prices, and lovely people who work there. They do not attempt to uncharge you for anything.

Cute small theater. Good popcorn and decent prices. Would be higher but the lady selling the tickets kept coming in to tell us we had to move over to the edges of the theater. Super weird and unnecessary, don't make other peoples lack of preparation the guests problem. read more

I love the independent movies that this theater gets. They have been around for over 30 years and have a loyal clientele. The staff are friendly, the popcorn is delicious, and I enjoy all of my movie watching experiences here! read more

This is becoming my go-to art house theater. The Carolina Theater is closer to my house but they really don't show new indie films anymore and The Chelsea routinely gets new indie releases. It's great to see them playing smaller films that most folks might only see on VOD. They also have excellent popcorn. I'm probably at this theater twice a month now given how often they are getting new releases. I'm so happy this place exists. Its basically a place for the olds in Chapel Hill and the Gen Z and Millennials that love film. read more

I think I've been back three times or so since they installed new seating. They're really comfy and the cup holders are a nice addition. It seems they did an upgrade to the ladies bathroom as well. There's always great movies to see here that most of the chain theaters don't show. I know I'd visit more often if I lived in Chapel Hill rather than south Durham, but still try to keep them on my radar for those films that are hard to find anywhere else. Their popcorn is always delicious and just the right amount of butter. Now if they only had Pepsi or another choice for something diet other than Diet Coke I'd be all set! read more

Quite the little gem. We had no idea this theatre existed. Great spot for a date night. Small and cozy with a pleasant staff. Make sure you eat beforehand. It's not one of those order a meal from your phone and have it delivered to your seat kind of places. Hope it stays that way. read more

Great cute little theater with a solid movie selection. Watched Tár here as it was the only theater playing it in the area and had a great experience. Can also grab concessions or even some coffee from right next door. The staff was very friendly but I will warn you to arrive on time, the number of previews are few so the movie starts quite promptly (which imo is a good thing but just something to be aware of). While the theater was quite clean and the seats were fine and comfortable throughout the 2.5 hr, they were the more traditional kind of theater seats, not the recliner sofas that a lot of theaters in the area have converted to (again not a negative, just something to be aware of). Would definitely recommend. read more

Good comfortable seating, small theaters, great selection of movies treating art-house films.

I love this place. So glad it has hung on through all the challenges theaters are facing. It is truly different and better to see films with other people in places like the Chelsea. I love the new seats! The old seats were uncomfortable, but I'm happy to say that the new ones are super comfortable and will definitely get me back there in the near future. read more

They have really updated this theater. My first time going to the movies since COVID came to town. Nice comfy seats.

Thanks NC Modernist for the free ticket to see Sinatra in Palm Springs tonight! This was my first time visiting the theater and I really enjoyed it. It's a little small but very cute and homey! read more

Chelsea Theater - Cinema Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

I don't know how this theater holds on, but I'm glad it does. This is the best place to see art house and independent films in Chapel Hill. I've seen Oscar winners, foreign films, and Napoleon Dynamite there. Enjoy their concessions, including beer, or grab a coffee from Joe Van Gogh next door. read more

What a treasure we have in the Chelsea Theater. How lucky we are to have such a beautiful venue to watch wonderful, off the grid, art films. I am thrilled to have discovered this little gem of a theater, having just moved here recently. I plan to go there a lot and count my lucky stars! BTW, everything has been renovated so it's a super comfortable place to chill, and the popcorn is healthy! read more

I hope one of you guys buys this theater. Con: seats suck. Pro: ** If there's a great indie movie the cineplex isn't showing, these guys are ** Good prices on concessions ** Decent beer ** Very friendly staff. read more

I've looked at the reviews of this theater from past years, and I am dismayed that some of the negative comments have never been challenged. First, the films this theater shows are often unavailable anywhere else in Chapel Hill. There are first-rate, cutting edge films by indie directors, documentaries, foreign-language films, as well as more mainstream offerings. Second, the concessions are reasonably priced, certainly cheaper than those at the typical theater, and the Chelsea offers a nice selection of wine, beer, soda, candy and popcorn. Third, the complaints about the theater only accepting cash are old news: you can pay by card there now. Fourth, since it is now a non-profit, it offers yearly membership packages that include a discount on ticket prices. Members also get coupons for discounts on soft drinks and popcorn. Yes the theaters are small and intimate, and yes, the seats are old, and this reviewer almost gave the Chelsea 4 stars for the seats alone. But the seats aren't THAT uncomfortable. The Chelsea is such a one-of-a kind resource that fills an important niche in the market. It offers special showings, panel discussions about important films, film festivals, and educational outreach to university and high school students. It deserves the support of the community, and it surely deserves better ratings than I've seen here. read more

I'm a sucker for small, independent movie theaters that sell beer, and thus I've predictably fallen for Chelsea Theater. Sure, the theater only has two screens and the seats are less than comfortable, but the place is filled with charm (and often elderly people...a crowd I'm feeling more and more in tune with as of late). Seriously, though, those two screens are usually showing solid independent flicks (as well as the occasional mainstream movie...I assume that's because you have to pay the bills somehow!) and it's been scientifically proven that your soul becomes a bit more redeemed and pure whenever you support a local independent cinema. Plus they offer up beer and wine for you to enjoy during the show (though admittedly it's never an awesome craft brew or blow your socks off vino). There is also the typical movie theater snack items like candy, popcorn, and soda should you so choose to indulge. The theater is conveniently located next to the local Joe Van Gogh, where you can grab a caffeinated beverage or some baked goods goodness. Talk about prime location! So instead of hitting up the multiplex this weekend, purify your soul a bit and check out Chelsea Theater (where it should be spelled "theatre" as this place is full of class). Just remember that it's cash only! read more

I've heard of the Chelsea Theater and had been to the Timberlyne shopping center without noticing it. If you are looking for something that screams theater you might miss it. It looks like any other store from the outside. It's pretty bare-bones but the screen and sound are perfectly fine so we enjoyed the film. It opens up to Joe Van Gogh coffee shop so if you want something besides traditional movie fare you can bring in your purchases from them. For me the quality of the movies they bring outshine any rocking movie chair or movie trivia. I rarely see any blockbuster movies so having this outlet is perfect for me. The employees were all very friendly as well. The only thing that I can mention that was a negative was having to ask when the movie would start after it was 10 minutes after show time. Seemed a little bit haphazard or perhaps just an isolated incident. Okay, this might sound weird, but, they do not skimp on their toilet paper. No single ply rolls here! It's amazingly soft and well, I wouldn't come here strictly to use the bathroom but you could. read more

Really this should be a 3.5 stars. Ticket prices are high considering the cramped theater seats and the fact that they often sell out. Concessions are cheap though, and there is wine/beer which is nice if thats your thing. Its fun to go here though because its so much more personal than a 20-screen multiplex (cough cough southpoint). The Chelsea is also better because they are selective about the movies they show, so you can always count on watching a worthwhile film here. read more

3 1/2 stars The theater you want to love. Great films, bad focus. They just really cannot focus. There is always some portion of the screen that is fuzzy. uch, so distracting. what was he saying? I wasn't paying attention because i am so obsessed with looking at everything in the lower left hand part of the screen. see! look! his glass is totally blurry, and now her purse and now his butt. I wish I was the kind of person who could just ignore stuff like that. but i can't. but again, they have the best films and the butter for the popcorn is real. also the staff are lovely. and the audience is there to see films not chat like it's their livingroom (i'm talking to you streets at southpointe). read more

Great, no-frills theater showing independent films that don't show in any other movie theaters. I like that the showing rooms are small, intimate -- this place reminds me of a similar theater in Albuquerque, NM. Yes, it is old, no the seat don't recline, no there's not some big, fancy sound system -- really, who cares when you can transported away by a good film? read more

These guys are the only place in Chapel Hill showing independent films, and it almost seems as if knowing this makes them care less about improving the experience for customers. Overall lack of personality.... very basic set-up and food/snack options. Staff seem indifferent and roll their eyes when you realized you forgot cash, as they don't take credit cards. The seating is pretty shabby, as someone else put it. Independent cinemas in other towns I've been to tend to have comfy couches and other cute unique touches added to make it more homey, but this place has not attempted any kind of improvements of that kind. The sound sometimes sucks and one time I was there it went out completely halfway through the film. read more

Fun movie theatre that: A: Sells beer B: Is next door to a independent coffee shop C: Independent and smaller films D: Cash only They have two screens and they usually get the good stuff. Over in north Chapel Hill beside Timberlyne shopping center on Weaver Dairy. Chairs in the small theaters could definitely be better, but if the film is good you don't really notice. read more

Best theatre in the area, hands down. Great movie selections - indie films, etc. Great coffee next door, which they permit taking inside. The cash-only tickets get grunts from others, but who cares. Kudos to them for avoiding CC usage. (There are ATMs nearby.) It's easy to park. Which is infinitely better than sifting through crowds and parking lots at a multiplex. The simplicity makes the place exquisite. read more

I think I've fallen out of love with the Chelsea for good this time. Primary reason - the facilities. The theaters are small, narrow, shoebox-like rooms and the floors don't slope as much as they should for patrons to be able to see the screen. Seats are uncomfortable, and screens are off-center. Also, lots of movie talkers go to the Chelsea. Seriously. I don't think I've been able to sit through a film in the last four years where I wasn't distracted by someone's inability to whisper. And since the rooms are so close, you can hear everything your neighbor's saying to his friend. In addition, the tickets have also become very expensive here recently - and there are no student discounts. Yes, they do a good job bringing independent film to the area, and it does give me a little twinge of guilt for being so critical, but when you compare everything they offer to other similar venues in the area (Durham's Carolina Theatre, Cary's Galaxy), the Chelsea lags behind the rest. read more

No Disney movies here! And thank goodness. Small theater with 3 theater rooms always showing great choice indy and interesting movies. Get there early as it does fill up quick and the only real drawback for me being fairly short it can be a struggle to find a seat when someone sitting in front of me isn't blocking my view partially. Seats could use a steeper incline to help with that. Good snack selection as well as wine and also opens to the local coffee shop next door, Joe Van Gogh. Still,seating aside, the movie selections are fabulous. Great to support local business. Go there. read more

First of all, Bruce, the owner of the Chelsea (and of the Varsity, but maybe not much longer), deserves huge praise for having kept quality film available in a town that has been attacked on all sides by mass-market mediocrity that has killed off most family-owned bookstores. That's the good news. And the coffee shop next door, the beer and wine, and the very smart staff all go a long way to making this what should be a fine film experience. But the physical facility is deteriorating to the point that it interferes with enjoyment. I can handle a lot of funkiness, but not bad speakers and flickering projectors. After all, these are films that are as much about the art of the film as they are about whatever their particular subject happens to be. And a humming, buzzing speaker just doesn't help us appreciate that art. If I were wealthy, I'd buy into the Chelsea and make it a more pleasurable place to watch good and great films. As it is, it just makes NetFlix look good. read more

Wow, tucked in a strip mall surrounded by a modern strip mall church and Joe Van Gogh, this place isn't easy to find. It's a tiny theatre but has a fairly decent line up of indie films. Saw Samsara (the scenic shots on 70mm, of random places in 30 different countries) here, when it wasn't playing anywhere else in NC. It's old theatre style, without stadium seats, but with the seats that let you know you've been sitting for more then an hour. The sticky floors and intimate space make up the experience. Come for the film and beer selection. read more

Chapel Hill used to afford its citizens more options when it came to independent film, but once the Carolina Theatre closed, the close-to-campus options were practically nonexistent, and Chelsea Theater became the torch-bearer. It has done a remarkable job doing so, keeping 3-4 films rotating at a time in a cozy, intimate environment. Pros: Film variety; length of runs; snacks (Cup of Joe right next door, and you can bring it in w/ you); friendly staff; clean bathrooms; ample parking. Cons: proximity to retirement home means many older patrons with less-than-optimal hearing who talk A LOT during movies; cramped seating; tiny screens. I give the Chelsea props for always showing gay/lesbian themed films during their theatrical releases; I saw Shortbus with two friends, and approximately 5 other people, 3 of which were over the age of 80. That's hard to match elsewhere. I also saw Trick, Heights, and Hedwig here over the years. read more

When possible, I like to throw some support to the local indie theaters whenever I can. This bad boy isn't an house (otherwise, it'd probably be called the Chelsea TheatRE - zing!), but does feel like one. The theaters are small, as are the screens - so forget stadium seating. However, the folks in charge know of these shortcomings and adjust the ticket prices accordingly. They know they'll make up the cash anyway by being one of the of the few places where you can grab an adult beverage with your mainstream movie around here. read more

First off, they seem to only get the tamest of "indie" films, you know, just the really safe ones. Nothing too risky, people, we don't want to ruffle any feathers! Secondly, and here's the worst part: when we got 1/4 inch of snow, they closed the theater, on a Saturday night, due to "inclement weather"... because nobody wants to go the movies when the weather's bad, right? I witnessed a middle aged woman get her elderly dad get out of their car, help him across the parking lot in his walker, only to find the place was closed, at 7pm on a Saturday. Imagine how often this man gets to go to the movies... and they closed the place so the 3 employees could go home early? Wow. read more

I've hated this theater for some time, but have gone there when they had a film I really wanted to see and no one else did. No more. I'm tired of this dump feeling that it is OK to provide an inconvenient, uncomfortable experience because they have good films. I will wait to see films that aren't playing elsewhere until they are available in some other form. Reasons: 1) The inconvenience of having to have cash(or, I hear, checks) 2) Terrible sight lines 3) Uncomfortable seats 4) Cramped, dingy rooms for the showings 5) And now, toilet doors that don't latch I love to support local businesses and interesting products, but the Chelsea is taking advantage of folks who feel that way by providing a terrible experience. read more

I do still adore this theater but dislike that ticket prices at night are $9. It's a very old theater and I know the concessions are cheap but $9 is pretty high for not having the huge screen and stadium seating. It's $7.50 for student (I believe) which is better but I really feel like $6.50-7 would be fair for this kind of place. I think last time I went the price was cheaper or I was so excited about the beer I didn't notice. read more

I want to go, but I'm supposed to have cash. How much cash, that would be a good thing to know, yet the website is devoid of this information and no one ever, and I mean ever, answers the phone and while it would be a GREAT IDEA to include this on the answering machine message, sadly it has not been. read more

The Chelsea is a great place to see indie films. There are 2 screens, the theaters are kind of small, the facilities are shabby, but it's one of the only movie theaters in the area that still shows limited release/independent movies. Plus, what points are taken away from bleed through noise (if the other screen is showing a louder movie) and small theaters are re-awarded because it's attached to Cup a Joe. Meaning you can enjoy great coffee with your movie. Key for chronic movie-sleepers like me. Timberlyne is kind of out of the way for a lot of CH/Carrboro folks, but you can make it into a full fledged dinner and a movie date night with dinner at Sage, the Pig, Oishi, or any one of the good independently owned restaurants nearby. Pretty sure they don't take credit cards. But they do take local checks. Or they did at one time. So yeah better to take cash just in case. read more

Great theater and great time but it's utterly annoying if you wait outside in the small lobby there is NO ESCAPE from oblivious people from discussing movie they just saw on the way out. The staff even asked patrons "what did you think?" as people exited. They should do quite the opposite and put up a NO SPOILERS signs. So be sure to wait in the cafe or away from the tiny lobby or your movie could be totally ruined. Otherwise great stuff. read more

Catch your indie flicks here, or the occasional mainstream movie. (Not sure why, but for some reason I saw The Devil Wear's Prada here with some friends. On second thought, this venue was likely chosen for its beer and wine concessions.) They also do the typical movie fare -- buttered popcorn and sweets. Small theater, but you don't come here for the size -- you come for the arty and quasi-intellectual films. I remain impressed that this and the Varsity on Franklin have remained open for so many years, despite all the surrounding changes. I hope they continue to serve our area for a long time to come! read more

This place is owned by the same people that own the Varsity? I'd never have guessed, they're two completely different places. The only similarity is the Chelsea's (diminishing) tendency to play indy films, but there's no real reason to watch them here since we've got tons of great indy theaters around (the Varsity being one). For major studio productions, likewise, head to one of the bigger places like Southpoint, or even Wynnsong (the only time you'll hear me recommend Wynnsong). The theaters are small and poorly arranged, and it's a rare film that doesn't have some sort of projection issue to deal with. read more