I recently saw The Drama at The Charles Theatre and was excited that it was showing in theatre 1, one of the largest screens they have! This is such a cool, and historic theatre and I highly recommend supporting them since locally-owned theatres are such a dying breed. The perfect evening to me consists of ordering a sangria at Tapas Teatro to enjoy inside the theatre alongside some popcorn from the concession stand. Speaking of the concession stand, I ordered two popcorns and two drinks and it was just under $25. Not bad! I will be back for sure. read more

Cool, old theater that shows movies you can't see anywhere else. We saw Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie there a few months ago and had a great experience. Staff is nice and helpful and the seats are comfy. Love this place read more

We took in a well-regarded international film at Charles Theater. It's been a while, and we had forgotten how low-key welcoming this old film-house is. It has deep warm vibes from the lobby to the theaters, and friendly likable staff. We got there a little early, so, after we chose our seats and bought our tickets, we got some coffee at the wide refreshment stand, and sat a while in comfortable chairs in the lobby, below some sort of balcony, soaking in the quiet calm, looking out the windows at the mural and wall-sculpture across Charles Street. We eventually handed our tix to the attendant and sauntered down one long, clean, postered hallway, and then another offset to the right, all the way back to theater 5. The seats were old and clean, not too-worn, not too-soft, not the modern seats of modern theaters. It's like watching movies in the rec-room of friends you've known all your life,if your friend had a huge screen :-). We had center seats near the mid-front, with a bright screen that filled our vision, and a good sound system with balanced acoustics. Perfect ambiance for the new film we saw, or for one of the retro classics they often feature. There's plenty of paid on-street parking, and well as a lot and a parking building directly across one-way northbound Charles Street. There's several restaurants within easy walking distance, including one opening from the theater lobby, open after 5pm. Come back to Charles Theater for the old-school film experience you didnt know you were missing! Now that we've re-discovered it, we know we'll be regulars again! read more

See all

Very artsy and nostalgic. Seats were pretty uncomfortable but picture and sound were great inside the theater. The hallways are dimly lit, which we discovered while trying to get good pictures. I did not purchase any food or drinks, but I tried my cousin's popcorn and it was pretty awful. There is a small parking lot across the street if street parking is unavailable, and a garage for $5 parking (very narrow, just a heads up). read more

This is an iconic cultural phenomenon of Baltimore. This theatre is one of the few in Maryland that consistently provides showtimes for niche, indie films, including local small films. I have enjoyed attending the theatre for a decade now, it supports my love for cinema. Parking is available right across the street in a clean and organized parking garage. Staff are friendly and welcoming. It is easy to purchase a ticket online or upon arrival. The theatre has service for drinks and food as well as clean restrooms. read more

The Charles Theatre - Cinema Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

See all

This is an amazing historic theater on a great spot just steps away from Penn Station. The building was once a streetcar depot and became a newsreel and then a regular theater. My wife and I decided to come here to close out our 13 Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert movie viewings at 13 different venues after going to the Seahawks at Ravens game and grabbing dinner at Brewers Art and before taking the Amtrak back. It is wonderful how vintage the theater is and you can see the screen, even the smaller on our specific theater well. The seats are rather comfortable and the popcorn is some of the best we have had. The staff is extremely friendly as well and they gave me a closed captioning device that worked perfectly. We certainly recommend this theater and would love to go back! read more

See all

Ventured out to the Charles a few weeks ago to watch the phenomenal documentary Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted as the Charles was the only relatively local place that it was playing. Staff was friendly and the prices were very reasonable. $12.50 for a matinee show (bought online) and $13 for popcorn and a soda (bought on site). Decent amount of parking across the street for $5. The theater itself was definitely a throwback to my youth, emphasizing the movie over everything else. Seating was basic, comfortable with a cup holder built into the armrest. Very glad to have a place like the Charles Theatre as an option for watching movies. read more

Located on a busy strip of North Charles street in Station North, if you're looking for a non-cookie cutter movie theater, the Charles is a wonderful experience for any theatergoer. I appreciate being able to select your seat when purchasing tickets. And the seats themselves are quite cushy and comfy. The screens are large and the sound system is effective. I went to see Wicked on November 22nd and am looking forward to my next movie experience at The Charles. read more

This review is not about the Charles' offerings, but their business practices. I don't live in Baltimore, but have enjoyed movies at the Charles when I visit family there. Recently (August 25), I was in Baltimore to celebrate my aunt's 92nd birthday. She loves going to the Charles, so I bought her a $100 gift card. When she tried to use it last week, the theater staff informed her that the card had no money on it. Over the past week, I have called the Charles, over half a dozen times. They never respond. I've left messages explaining the situation, but have not received any response to date. I am contacting my credit card company to see if I can obtain a refund for the amount that the Charles misappropriated. read more

Not your average movie theater. Comfortable seating, friendly staff, good atmosphere, reasonable pricing and frequently films you won't see elsewhere. read more

I've been coming to the Charles since 2019 - love an indie theater (even though you won't find the comforts of reclining seats) and I'm so glad movies are back and in full force. The Charles is special bc it shares space with Tapas Teatro - so you can bring in wine and snacks from the soon to close Sofie's Crepes. They do have a concession stand where I will also get snacks (who doesn't like snacks in movies?). The Charles is special because it'll show artsy indie films you can't always find in theaters at the chains. The Charles commercial is the best - I won't spoil it if you've not been - but it's a dog that goes the movies. Enough said. read more

The Charles Theatre - Outside signage - Cinema Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

See all

I love cinema, and given another chance to visit I might adjust my score, but this was my experience. Concessions were overpriced -- over $10 for a Diet Coke and a water bottle -- and the seats were small and uncomfortable. To make matters worse, the wrong movie initially played (Highest 2 Lowest) and had to be stopped and restarted for our actual showing (Weapons). As someone who's watched a lot of films in a lot of theaters, I also noticed the projector brightness was fairly weak, making nighttime or dimly lit scenes hard to see, and the sound system didn't feel properly calibrated. Overall, if the film itself hadn't been as strong as it was, I would've been completely frustrated with the experience. I hope the theater makes improvements. read more

Enjoy movies at Charles Theatre for the historic ambience and cheap concessions. Service is always subpar as the theater is filled with young unprofessional staff. Luckily, interactions with the staff are brief while purchasing movie tickets and snacks. Have been several times. Will return read more

I love the movies they show here. Small and independent films, good selection. But, I'm sorry, the place smells (stinks). That is why I hate to go. The carpet needs to be professionally steam cleaned to get the odors out. I think that would be a reasonable investment to keep the place going. Maybe clean the seats, too? Just saying. I don't mean just musty and old, I mean gross. This is why I quit going. There is (was?) a good tapas place next door. And a decent casual dining place too. This place would be worth saving, but evidently the owners don't think so. Too bad. Please be aware, you can only pay CASH in small bills to park across the street. Not a big deal, unless you don't know ahead of time. read more

Awesome local and historic spot to catch a movie. You don't get all the crazy bells and whistles of an AMC like heated seats and recliner chairs but you get charm and nostalgia and all the real good things about going to the movies. Highly recommend. (incredible restaurants nearby too if you want to do the classic dinner + movie combo) read more

We went to The Charles theater the other day and were told that the close captioning devices in that theater were not working. Ales (I think I got that right), the manager, was amazing. He also played the film in another theater so that might husband could follow along. He came in and made sure that the device was working. I have never seen a theater exhibit this type of kindness. Even though the theater is not close to our home, we will be frequenting it more often. Really amazing! read more

Since moving to Baltimore a year ago, I've seen a few movies at the Charles, and I love it! It's a great, small, indie theater. It shows great movies (indies and retrospectives), and it's just a classic little theater. It reminds me of the small theaters I used to go to when I lived in New York. No, it doesn't have the recliner chairs you can get at an AMC or whatever. And, yes, parking is kind of a pain (there's a small garage across the street where you can pay $3-5 in CASH ONLY or street parking). But it's independent and charming and a great experience for film lovers. Definitely check it out. I'll definitely be back. read more

The Charles Theatre - Cinema Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

They hosted the 2024 New Next Film Festival and it was amazing! Had tapas before catching a movie and then caught an improv show around the corner one night and went to Metro Gallery another night. Great spot for a date or to meet friends! :) read more

I haven't been here in so long but it was National Cinema Day! I'm so happy a local independent theater participated in it so I saw a movie for only $5! Charles Theater is a quaint and hidden gem in Baltimore city. Close to plenty of transit and off of North Ave, you won't have any problems getting here. There is only street parking available, but it is still worth the drive. They have indie films they show as well as bigger blockbusters and there is a lot of cool touches of history they kept in the theater. The seats don't recline or do anything fancy, there are only 4 theaters and they really only sell popcorn, drinks and candy, but there is so much character here. Plus, there is a diner, a restaurant right next door & Sofia's crepes so if you need something to eat you can definitely find that here. Overall, I appreciate this theater being in the community and how accessible it is. It's in a great location and you can buy tickets online. Because it is a small theater, you can expect there might be a wait because they don't have a lot of staff. read more

See all

I went to the Charles Theater yesterday for the first time and really enjoyed myself. The Charles is an independent theater which is very rare and it is so nice to see them thriving. They offer an array of independent movies and films that some may not consider mainstream. You can purchase tickets online before getting to the theater which I highly recommended as the line for tickets is pretty long. The ticket prices are still below the "average" and are great priced. The concessions as well are really reasonably priced also. Between 3-9 dollars for different items. I did not give the theater a 5 star due to the fact that I believe the theater could be a little cleaner. I know they don't have lots of staff but I feel like that more attention to this would be great. The theater itself is also a little tight in the seats but I believe that adds the old world charm. I loved interacting with the other fellow movie goers who were enjoying the movie as well. You can also get something to eat or drink at nearby local eateries which all have something amazing to offer in terms of the menu. I can't wait to go back and see more movies there. The staff are also very friendly. Parking is easy on the street or the parking lot read more

Recently got tickets to a movie screening that was shown here. It was easy to access and had a cheap parking lot directly across the street. I think it was less than $5. I love how the entryway and concession area have a vintage look. However, all the amenities are updated and modern. The theaters aren't huge which allows for a more cozy atmosphere. Such a cute theater for shows and small presentations. I'm heading back in a few weeks for an event and am looking forward to it? read more

The Charles Theatre - Concession stand - Cinema Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I won tix to an advanced screening of Creed III. Wallace is ALL GROWN UP! The theater was packed with people there to see this movie. The line to check in for the promotion was out the door. The event included popcorn and soda for each person, which meant the concession stand workers were hustling in overdrive. Talk about impressive! Even people being given free stuff can find things to complain about and these kids were fielding cranky patrons left and right. The theater itself is really cool. Old nostalgia Baltimore. Hipster area with great restaurants! read more

The Charles is a humble movie theater that probably won't bother Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, and plenty of Millennials because they grew up with the humble theater. However, if this theater can't find a way to update, it WILL end up closing, as it's not up to snuff for most Gen Zers, who are already less likely to watch movies in theaters. Some improvements are needed, and The Charles should give some thought to a few things: Seats don't have to recline or be stadium style, but they should be comfortable. Projectors should display movies that are sharp and bright. I watched a movie in theater 1 last night, and the projector was clearly broken, with the movie displaying as if covered by a brown veil. The screen was dim enough that images blended into each other, making it hard to discern what was going on--and I have 20/20 vision. I tolerated it only because the tickets had been cheap, but if they'd been the same price as those at conventional theaters, I would have had to ask for my money back. The theaters should be clean and odor-free. Movie-goers should be admitted in a timely manner, and the movie should start on time. At a showing of the movie LOVING many years ago, the attendant ripping tickets got confused and admitted only half the audience on time. The other half--the group I was in--was admitted several minutes into the movie, interrupting those who were already seated and enjoying the movie, and leaving the rest of us confused as we tried to get our bearings with the movie after having missed early parts. When I decided to leave shortly after being admitted, the theater gave me a free pass for a future movie, so they DO try to make things right by the customer. But refunding the way conventional theaters do is better customer service, and if any theater needs top-notch customer service, it's the humble little theater that needs a new projector (or two, or three?) and softer seats. The Charles has its place, and I cherish independent theaters, especially independents that play documentaries. I absolutely want it to stay open, but I worry for its future. The bottom line is, keep this place alive and watch movies here, but understand it isn't AMC or Cinemark. Go in with lowered expectations--and if the movie is genuinely unwatchable for whatever reason, don't be afraid to politely complain to the manager. read more

What a gem! I loved this theater for the location, the retro feel, the non-main-stream previews, and (very importantly) the leg room!! We saw a weekend matinee ($9 per person) and were in the first theater after you pass through the ticket taker area. The seats were in fine condition and again, the spacious and large theater meant that while there were plenty of people in there, it didn't feel crowded. We didn't get snacks, but it looked like there were a variety of options available. read more

The Charles Theatre - Cinema Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Used to love the cinema Sunday series. However last week I was verbally attacked by the bagel lady who actually took the bagel off my plate. When the movies was over she came up yelling at me and tutting her finger in my face. Management reply was she's a volunteer. Will never go back here again. I advise you not to also read more

Love going to this theater. It usually has movies that are hard to find elsewhere. The parking garage across the street was very reasonable at $5.00 on a Saturday and the seats are comfortable, The only small thing is that the steps in the theater are not lit and it is a little challenging finding you way upward. Go early before the theater lights are off or use the flashlight feature on your phone or you may trip getting to your seat. read more

Theater is fine. However it was so cold in our theater tonight the few folks at our theater had to wear coats and gloves throughout the movie. read more

I had to look long and hard to find out no, they don't have a kitchen or serve adult drinks. But they were cool about us bringing in our own take-out dinner from nearby, so that was great. We saw Stop Making Sense which the audio system was not up for, we might as well have been listening to the concert on the boombox David Byrne places on the floor at the start:). Friendly staff and I am sure for dialog driven movies it would be fine. read more

Really incredible experience to watch a movie here! They are very accommodating and friendly, the screens and sound scapes in the theater are wonderful, and they have cool events and art and it's vintage! Really fun spot for a date night or to impress your friends with a non chain theater for movie night. read more

Ask me how excited I was to learn that The Charles had the new "Pavarotti" movie? So my husband and a dear friend went to the matinee that started at 1:10 PM. We arrived at the theater to find a small crowd forming. It was odd that they did not open the doors until 1:00 PM and then made us wait to purchase the tickets. The theater was clean and comfortable. I have never figured out why movie theaters have to run the upcoming attractions with the sound so loud. It was deafening. We were pleased that the movie was shown at a normal volume level. The movie was fantastic! Ron Howard captured the true essence of the man. There will never be another Pavarotti. read more

It's a historic movie theater! Very close proximity to the Mount Vernon cultural district and the Baltimore Penn Station is in walking distance. I live a mile away, so the convenience to this theatre is A plus. The parking is directlyaccross the street. However, if you are looking for a plush movie theatre experience, I wouldn't recommend. This theatre is a traditional dated movie theater that only serves soda, popcorn, and candy! They do not serve pizza, chicken tenders or hamburgers/fries. I wish they would change the seats. This theatre could be a "first date" type of venue. Very inexpensive as well. Overall, I enjoy my experience and movie. I was just honestly expecting more of a plushed experience. read more

Just the best. Their revival series is a gift to our City. Always love seeing a picture at the Charles.

Great theater w adjoining restaurant (tapas). You can purchase beer and bring into the theater which is a nice treat. Movies at this theater tend to be "interactive", hence if that's not your thing, or you simply don't like it, it's something to keep in mind. They also offer some free movie screenings which is nice. Beautiful theater with classic theater goodies you can purchase. Will return, but perhaps for a better film. "The Room" was an odd choice and movie goers shouted throughout the entire production. Again, many patrons love these movies, this was my first encounter hence I was not accustomed to patrons speaking during the movie and throwing spoons haha yes, spoons. They had giveaways of books, t-shirts, cupcakes, and some other treats. Will return. read more

The Charles Theatre - Cinema Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

See all

Classic movie theatre feel with causal atmospheres. Vegan Friendly - YES Food (4 Stars) - coffee bar w basic movie fare Ambiance (4 Stars) - sloped movie theaters front to back Service (4 Stars) - friendly service Jimmy's Hacks - Easy parking garage directly across the and street parking (free on the weekends) Note... reviews maybe updated after future visits. If you find any of my hacks or reviews helpful pls follow & like my review for more. Thx read more

See all

This movie theater is one of my favorite places in the city. They always have great movies showing. I went last night and had a great time as always. Parking can be a little bit of a pain but there is parking across the street in a garage. Keep in mind that you have to pay to park ($3) and they only accept cash. read more

Everything is excellent! Appears to be run well. Love the arty film selections. Best theatre in Baltimore!

Don't know what the hype about this theater is. But we're not impressed. No recline seats. Popcorn only have one size. Small. Snacks and drinks are limited. Plus you gotta pay for parking across the street. $3. Seems bs. Cool art stuff. But not worth the hassle of a drive and parking situation. read more

See all

What an awesome tiny Treasure! After trying to find the movie Lion, I was extremely frustrated when it was out of the theaters near me. Imagine my surprise when I discovered CHARLES THEATER (which is a shame because I am all things Baltimore). I had to go! The decorations speak to the films of yesteryear and the support of indie projects is refreshing as I'm a filmmaker myself. The popcorn was just right and I was definitely comfortable. The Only downside is it got chilly towards the end of the movie but it lasted no more than fifteen minutes. The heat was definitely off. read more

The Charles Theatre - A message in the stall! So sweet! - Cinema Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

See all

While I commend the theater for showing movies that are not being shown in the national chains, my first experience of the Charles had left me not wanting to return. The theater had us worrying in the lobby and only let us into the theater ten minutes after the movie started. When we complained to the management, they would not refund our money or offer any kind of compensation. Instead, they made excuses about how they were unprepared for the holiday crowds and underestimated how long it would take to check tickets. I have a hard time believing that. Did they just open this year? If they knew they were late letting people enter, why start the movie on time? They could have waited. Or given attendees a free popcorn. read more

I am a film guy. Love the flicks. For more than 40 years I have seen some of best in cinema at the Charles Theatre in Baltimore.