Simsbury is one of those classic New England towns where you expect to find everything right on Main Street. But honestly, if you’re looking for a movie theater in Simsbury CT right now, you’re going to notice something pretty quickly. It’s complicated. For years, the local film scene centered around one specific spot, but the landscape of local cinema has shifted dramatically. People aren't just looking for a screen anymore. They want the heated recliners, the craft beer, and the IMAX experience that a small-town storefront sometimes struggles to house.
The reality is that while Simsbury has a deep appreciation for the arts—think Talcott Mountain Music Festival—the way we watch movies here has become a bit of a regional road trip.
The Story of Simsmore Square and What’s Left
You can't talk about movies in this town without mentioning the old Apple Cinemas location at Simsmore Square. For a long time, that was the go-to. It was small. It was local. It felt like Simsbury. However, that theater closed its doors, leaving a literal hole in the town’s entertainment map.
It’s a bummer.
When a local theater shuts down, it isn't just about losing access to the latest Marvel flick; it’s about losing a communal space where kids go on their first dates or where retirees catch a matinee to escape the humidity of a Connecticut July. Since that closure, the search for a movie theater in Simsbury CT usually leads residents over the mountain or down Route 10.
Where Simsbury Goes for Movies Now
Since you can't just stroll into a theater in the center of town anymore, where is everyone going? Usually, it's a toss-up between three main spots. Each one offers a totally different vibe.
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The Big Player: AMC Marquis 16 in Trumbull (or Southington)
Most people in the Farmington Valley end up drifting toward the big chains. If you want the full-throttle, Dolby Cinema experience with the shaking seats, you're likely heading toward the AMC Marquis 16 in Trumbull or, more commonly for Simsbury folks, the AMC Southington 12.
It’s a drive.
But you get the recliners. You get the massive popcorn buckets. You get the app-based ordering that lets you skip the line. For a lot of families in Simsbury, the 25-to-30-minute haul is worth it for the "big screen" feel that the old local theaters just couldn't match.
The Boutique Experience: Apple Cinemas Hartford
If you were a fan of the Apple Cinemas brand back when they were in Simsmore Square, they still have a massive presence nearby. The Apple Cinemas in Hartford (specifically the Luxury/Xtreme location) is often where locals go for a mix of mainstream hits and sometimes smaller, international films. They’ve poured a lot of money into "luxury" seating. It’s a far cry from the cramped, slightly-musty theater seats of the 90s.
The Historic Alternative: Real Art Ways
Now, if you’re in Simsbury and you consider yourself a "film person"—the kind of person who watches subtitled French dramas or obscure documentaries—you aren't going to AMC. You’re going to Real Art Ways in Hartford. It’s not a traditional movie theater in Simsbury CT, but it's the cultural heart of the region. It’s an independent arts venue. They show things you literally cannot see anywhere else in the state. Plus, they have a bar. That helps.
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Why Small Town Theaters are Struggling in the Farmington Valley
It’s worth asking why Simsbury doesn't have a bustling cinema right now. The economics are brutal.
Think about it. To run a theater in a town with Simsbury's real estate prices, you have to sell a lot of tickets. A lot. But everyone has a 65-inch OLED TV in their living room now. We have Netflix. We have Max. To get a Simsbury resident to leave their house on a Tuesday night, the theater has to offer something the couch doesn't.
- Technology Overhead: Upgrading to 4K laser projection costs hundreds of thousands per screen.
- The "Window" Problem: Movies hit streaming services so fast now that the "exclusive" window is shrinking.
- Staffing: Finding people to work late-night shifts in a town with a high cost of living is a nightmare for small business owners.
There’s also the competition from places like The Bushnell or local playhouses. In Simsbury, people tend to spend their "entertainment budget" on live experiences. When you have the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center bringing in massive acts, a movie theater has a lot to compete with.
The "Secret" Spots Nearby
Wait, did you forget about the drive-ins?
During the summer, the search for a movie theater in Simsbury CT often takes a nostalgic turn. The Mansfield Drive-In is a trek, but it’s a Connecticut staple. Closer to home, people look for "Movies Under the Stars" events hosted by the Simsbury Culture, Parks and Recreation department. These aren't permanent theaters, but they are often the most "Simsbury" way to see a movie—sitting on a lawn chair at Hop Brook or the Performing Arts Center with a picnic basket.
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Making the Most of Your Movie Night: A Local Strategy
If you're planning a night out and you’re starting from Simsbury, don’t just wing it.
First, check the showtimes at Bow Tie Cinemas in nearby West Hartford (Blue Back Square). It’s probably the most convenient "nice" theater for someone living on the south end of town. The parking can be a pain in the neck—seriously, the garages in Blue Back are a labyrinth—but the surrounding restaurants make it a full evening. You can grab dinner at Vinted or Cheesecake Factory and then walk over to the theater.
If you’re on the north end of town, near Granby, you might actually find it easier to head north or toward Enfield.
A Quick Reality Check on "Simsbury Cinema"
Occasionally, you'll see rumors on local Facebook groups or "Simsbury Neighbors" forums about a new boutique cinema moving into one of the vacant commercial spaces. While the town is always looking for ways to revitalize its plazas, there are no concrete plans for a new multi-screen movie theater in Simsbury CT as of early 2026. The trend is moving toward "mixed-use" spaces. We might see a small, one-screen community theater eventually, but the days of the local megaplex are likely over.
How to Support Local Film
If you want to see movies return to the area in a real way, support the film festivals. The Hartford Jewish Film Festival and various LGBTQ+ film series often utilize venues within a short drive of Simsbury. When these events sell out, it signals to developers that there is a hungry audience in the Farmington Valley.
Also, keep an eye on the Simsbury Public Library. Seriously. They do screenings of independent films and documentaries that often include talk-backs with creators. It’s not the "popcorn and soda" experience, but it’s high-quality cinema without the 30-minute drive.
Practical Next Steps for Simsbury Residents
- Download the Apps: If you're going to make the trip to AMC in Southington or Bow Tie in West Hartford, download their loyalty apps. The "A-List" or "Criterion" memberships pay for themselves if you go even twice a month.
- Check the "Library Pass" Programs: Sometimes the Simsbury Library or surrounding town libraries offer discounted passes or tickets to local cultural institutions, though this is more common for museums than first-run theaters.
- Monitor the Performing Arts Center: Check the Simsbury Meadows summer schedule early in May. They usually announce their outdoor movie nights then, and those are the best way to see a movie without leaving 06070.
- Explore Real Art Ways: If you’ve never been, make the 20-minute drive into Hartford. It’s a different world of cinema that makes you realize what you’re missing at the big multiplexes.
The movie-going experience for a Simsbury resident is no longer about convenience; it’s about the destination. Whether you’re heading to the high-tech screens of a major chain or the grass-roots screenings in a local park, the options are there—you just have to be willing to drive a few miles to find them.