Beyond the Blockbusters: A Guide to Missouri’s Independent and Art House Movie Theaters

A night out with friends? A flirty date? A fun time for the whole family? There’s no doubt that going to the movies brings people together, and creates memories filled with comedy, drama, horror, and romance. Independent movie theaters understand this magic better than anyone, curating their spaces with personality and care. Lucky for us, Missouri is home to plenty of quirky, historic, and lovingly crafted indie cinemas that offer unique movie-going experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Arkadin Cinema & Bar – St. Louis

Arkadin Cinema & Bar, a microcinema in the Bevo Mill neighborhood of St. Louis, came to fruition in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the theater’s building plans approved just three days before the first lockdown, co-owners Keith Watson and Sarah Baraba had to get creative. The cinema quickly pivoted to showing outdoor films, allowing them to build an audience while other theaters were closed.

Today, Arkadin is a truly unique (indoor!) theater and bar, screening everything from “beloved classics to cult favorites to extremely niche rarities most of the audience will not even have heard of,” according to Watson. Arkadin’s eccentric programming is created with immense care for its devoted guests.

“Our ‘mom and pop’ ownership means that we are regularly in contact with our patrons,” said Watson. “We hear what they’re interested in, and we can meet those needs on a very intimate scale.”

Like many independent theaters, Arkadin has become a sanctuary for the avant-garde, obscure, and unconventional corners of the film world. The cinema primarily does “one-off” screenings, which constantly keeps its programming fresh.

“The economics of Arkadin’s particular microcinema model allows us to take risks with programming that a large chain simply can’t afford,” Watson said.

“We operate as a business, not a non-profit, which means we don’t ask people for donations.” Watson continued. “We simply ask that they come out to films, maybe buy a drink or two, and hopefully have a great time they want to tell others about.”

Ragtag Cinema – Columbia

Ragtag Cinema has occupied many spaces across Columbia since its inception in 1998. The “Ragtag Film Society” screened early films at The Blue Note concert venue and previously inhabited a small storefront full of scavenged couches and donated office chairs. Today, Ragtag has cemented itself as an eclectic community staple in downtown CoMo.

“When I first started attending Ragtag Cinema in high school, I was struck that each film was preceded by an introduction from the projectionist or a programmer of the cinema,” said Cinema Programmer, Ouma Amadou. “It is something that still continues at Ragtag and to me, it demonstrates the dedication that Ragtag has to media literacy and demonstrates that our staff also loves film – and wants our audience to love it too.”

It’s these personal touches that keeps Ragtag so adored by its patrons. “In today’s cinema landscape where there are a plethora of options for seeing films, art house theaters provide an avenue outside of simple consumption of ‘content’,” Amadou explained.

“I think what makes local theaters and indie cinema special is their uniqueness.” Amadou continued. “While you might find similarities in indie cinema or local theaters in their programming, each place approaches the art of the film differently.”

Attached to the two-screen theater are a trendy bakery, full-size bar, and local record store, making for a truly special day at the movies.

“Ragtag Cinema continues to be for the Columbia community, and each year we challenge ourselves to see what we can add to increase the community’s investment in our cinema,” said Amadou.

The Moxie – Springfield

Located in the heart of Springfield, The Moxie has been an art house sanctuary since its opening in 2004. The non-profit theater operates around a “community-supported, mission-driven cinema model,” according to Theater Manager, Shay Rainey.

Due to this non-profit approach, The Moxie operates a little differently than the typical movie theater. Their emphasis lies in long-term patron loyalty.

“Strategically, instead of focusing on the box office, we expanded our focus on membership support, offering exclusive perks like access to classic and art house films on the big screen,” Rainey said.

This past May, The Moxie welcomed Joe Dull as the theater’s new Executive Director. As an award-winning filmmaker and educator, Dull passionately understands the importance of art house theaters and independent film.

“Art house theaters provide a place for diverse, challenging, and thought-provoking cinema that might otherwise go unseen and unnoticed,” Dull explained. “Making films is expensive, it’s complicated, and it’s difficult to make movies without a system designed for filmmaking.”

Dull continued, “Because of that, studio films tend to create risk-averse, popular concept films that ignore marginalized groups and ideas. Independent films often try to break those norms and make films that challenge the audience and their expectations.”

To all film aficionados of Springfield, Dull urges you to, “Come see the movies! And become a member!” The Moxie’s community-centered mission relies on movie lovers to continue walking through their doors.

Screenland Armour – North Kansas City

The Armour Theater Building opened its doors in September 1928 to screen silent films with live musical accompaniments. After almost 100 years, a few renovations, and some changes to the theater’s name, modern-day Screenland Armour is adored in North KC.

“Independent theatres are passionate weirdos just like the independent coffee shop, record store, restaurants,” said owner Adam Roberts. “Our hearts and souls are on the walls and in our programming. We truly care about everyone and their experience and try our best to cater [to] as much diversity as possible.”

In addition to its four screens, affordable prices, and knowledgeable staff, Screenland Armour has some other unique qualities.

“We don’t do ads before films. We don’t do assigned seating because, for me, it creates bad habits,” Roberts explained. “Oh, and we have a basement dive bar called Rewind Video that offers guests 21+ a unique escape before or after the film to return to a more simplistic time…the late 90s.”

Roberts, who has managed Screenland Armour since 2012, has seen the theater through many of its changes.

“From going digital within the first six months of us taking over operations, to a pandemic and incredibly lengthy strikes, we’ve sort of seen it all at this point,” Roberts said. “We continue to focus on quality projection, unique programming, and fair prices.”

It’s no secret that Screenland Armour is a Kansas City staple. In an ever-changing industry, however, the theater’s preservation is in the hands of its community.

“Where you see movies matters, as does what you see,” Roberts explained. “If you want your local indie theatre to exist in 5, 10, 15 years, make sure you see your movies there!”

Other great Art House Cinemas in Missouri include the Capitol City Cinema in Jefferson City, the Hi-Pointe Theatre in St. Louis and the Trail Theatre in St. Joseph.

Written by Justine Favazza, Missouri Film Office Intern, Junior at the University of Missouri