You're standing on Mile Road with a sunburn that’s starting to sting, the kids are getting cranky, and the sky just turned that ominous shade of Atlantic gray that screams "beach day is over." Or maybe it's just a Tuesday night in October and the quiet of the Maine coast is a little too quiet. You want a movie. You pull out your phone, type in movie theatre Wells Maine, and you're probably seeing a map that looks a little confusing.
Here is the thing: Wells doesn't actually have a dedicated cinema right within the town limits anymore.
It’s a bit of a bummer, honestly. But don't let that stop you. While Wells is the undisputed king of antique books and fried clams, for the big screen, you have to venture just a few miles north or south. It’s one of those local quirks where "going to the movies" usually means a ten-to-fifteen-minute drive into Ogunquit, Kennebunk, or Saco.
The Leavitt Theatre: The Soul of the Local Scene
If you want the most "Maine" experience possible, you head south to Ogunquit. Just about five minutes from the Wells town line sits The Leavitt Theatre. This isn't your sterile, butter-scented multiplex with sticky floors and reclining plastic seats. It’s a historic landmark.
Built in 1923, the Leavitt is a seasonal beast. It’s open from May through October, and if you walk in there expecting The Avengers on sixteen different screens, you’re in the wrong place. They do show films—often cult classics, silent movies with live musical accompaniment, or the occasional big summer blockbuster—but it’s more of a cultural hub. They’ve got live music, comedy sets, and a cocktail bar that is genuinely better than most of the high-end spots in town.
Seriously.
Grab a drink, sit in the old wooden seats, and feel the history. It’s a vibe you just can't replicate at an AMC. Because it’s an open-air-style historic building (though enclosed), it breathes with the coastal air. It feels like a secret.
🔗 Read more: Is Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives Actually Worth the Trip to Ari Atoll?
What to expect at the Leavitt
- They lean heavily into the "dinner and a show" concept now.
- The menu isn't just popcorn; think local oysters and craft cocktails.
- It’s located right on Main Street (Route 1) in Ogunquit.
- Parking in Ogunquit is a nightmare in July, so if you're coming from Wells, maybe take the trolley or an Uber.
Smitty’s Cinema: The Practical Choice for Families
When people search for a movie theatre Wells Maine, what they usually actually want is Smitty’s. There are two nearby: one in Sanford and one in Biddeford. If you’re staying on the north end of Wells near the Kennebunk line, Biddeford is your best bet. If you’re further inland or toward the south, Sanford might be a hair quicker.
Smitty’s is a "cinema pub." It’s basically the savior of every rainy Saturday in York County.
You sit at long tables in front of your theater seats. A server comes by. You order a burger, some loaded fries, or a giant pizza while the trailers are playing. It’s loud, it’s chaotic in a fun way, and it’s remarkably affordable compared to city prices.
Honest talk: The Sanford location is a bit older. It has that lived-in, slightly nostalgic feel of a 90s cinema. The Biddeford location is a bit more updated. Both serve the same purpose—keeping the kids entertained while you eat a meal that didn't require you to stand in a two-hour line at a seafood shack.
The Flagship Premium Cinemas in Wells (The "Ghost" Theatre)
You might see references online to a Flagship Cinema in Wells. This is where the confusion usually starts. There was a Flagship Cinema right on Route 1 in Wells, tucked into the Wells Corner Shopping Center.
It closed years ago.
💡 You might also like: How to Actually Book the Hangover Suite Caesars Las Vegas Without Getting Fooled
It’s a bummer because it was incredibly convenient. Now, if you want that "Flagship" experience—which is your standard, modern moviegoing experience with power recliners and digital surround sound—you have to go to the Flagship Cinemas in Thomaston or, more realistically for a Wells vacationer, the Cinemark in Saco.
IMAX and the Big Screen Experience in Saco
If you are a cinephile and "good enough" isn't good enough, you drive twenty minutes north to Saco. The Apple Cinemas (formerly the Cinemagic) is where the big stuff happens.
This is where you go for the IMAX experience. It’s a massive complex right off the highway. If a Christopher Nolan movie is coming out and you’re staying in Wells, this is your destination. They’ve got the high-frame-rate projectors, the rumbling seats, and the giant tubs of popcorn that cost more than a small lobster roll.
The drive from Wells to Saco is mostly a straight shot up Route 1 or the I-95. If it’s a rainy day, though, be warned: everyone else in Wells, Kennebunk, and York has the same idea. That parking lot gets packed.
Making the Most of a Movie Night Near Wells
Since you're going to have to drive anyway, you might as well make a night of it.
If you head to Ogunquit for the Leavitt, plan to walk the Marginal Way before the show. It’s a cliffside path that’s arguably the most beautiful mile in Maine. You can walk from Perkins Cove right to the front door of the theatre.
📖 Related: How Far Is Tennessee To California: What Most Travelers Get Wrong
If you’re heading to Smitty’s in Biddeford, check out the mill district first. Biddeford has undergone a massive "cool" transformation recently. There are breweries like Banded Brewing and places like Night Market that are doing incredible food. It turns a "we're bored and it's raining" movie trip into a legit night out.
A Few Quick Tips for Wells Visitors:
- Check the Leavitt schedule early. They don't show movies every night. Sometimes it’s a touring comedian or a local band.
- Book Smitty’s online. On rainy days, the popular 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM showings will sell out before you even leave your rental house.
- The "Trolley" factor. The Wells-Ogunquit trolley can get you close to the Leavitt, but it stops running at a certain hour. Don't get stranded.
- Matinees are your friend. If you want to avoid the crowds at the Saco IMAX, go for the 11:00 AM showing. Most people are still trying to figure out where to eat brunch at that time.
Why the Lack of a Theatre in Wells Actually Makes Sense
Wells is a town of "in-betweens." It’s perfectly situated between the high-end bustle of Kennebunkport and the tourist energy of Ogunquit. Because it’s so spread out, a single movie theatre has historically struggled to compete with the specialized vibes of its neighbors.
The town has leaned into being the "Antique Capital," focusing on the Wells Reserve at Laudholm and the sprawling beaches. The lack of a local megaplex keeps the "strip" on Route 1 from feeling too much like a suburban mall.
You’ve got the ocean. You’ve got the books. You’ve got the clams. A ten-minute drive for a movie isn't the worst trade-off in the world.
Actionable Steps for Your Movie Night
Stop searching for a theatre inside Wells—you won't find an active one. Instead, follow this logic:
- For History and Cocktails: Go to The Leavitt Theatre in Ogunquit. Check their website for the schedule because it changes daily.
- For Kids and Dinner: Go to Smitty’s Cinema in Biddeford or Sanford. Download their app to see the menu ahead of time; it helps speed things up when you sit down.
- For Blockbusters and IMAX: Go to Apple Cinemas in Saco. It’s the only place within a 30-minute radius that offers the true "big screen" technical specs.
- For the "Cheap Seats": Keep an eye on the Wells Public Library. During the off-season or specifically for kids' events, they often host movie afternoons that are totally free and surprisingly cozy.
If you’re heading out now, check the traffic on Route 1 south toward Ogunquit. If it’s red on the map, take the back roads (Route 9) to avoid the bottleneck at the Wells-Ogunquit line. You'll save ten minutes and a lot of frustration.