You’re standing in the parking lot on a Tuesday night. It’s 15 degrees outside. In Grand Forks, that’s actually a "nice" evening for January. You’ve got two choices for grand forks theater movies: head over to the big multiplex across the river or try to catch a classic in a building that’s seen a century of North Dakota winters. Honestly, people get this wrong all the time. They think a theater is just a room with a screen. But in this town, it’s about where the butter is real and which seats actually recline far enough to let you forget you’re in the Red River Valley.
Grand Forks has a weird, resilient relationship with cinema. We lost the AMC Classic 10 a while back—yeah, that's officially closed now—which left a bit of a hole in the South End. But the scene didn't die; it just shifted.
The River Cinema 15 Survival Guide
If you’re looking for the big blockbusters, you’re basically going to River Cinema 15. It’s technically in East Grand Forks, but let's be real: we all treat the river like a speed bump. This is the heavy hitter.
What's the draw? Luxury recliners.
If you aren't sitting in a chair that feels like a leather hug, are you even at the movies? They’ve leaned hard into the "premium" experience to keep people off their couches. Right now, the 2026 slate is hitting its stride. You’ve got the heavy hitters like 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and Avatar: Fire and Ash taking up the big Dolby Atmos screens.
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But there’s a secret here. The popcorn. Local legend says it’s just better here. There was an entire Reddit thread of former residents trying to replicate the "River Cinema taste" in California and failing miserably. It’s the coconut oil or the specific salt brand—whatever it is, it’s a local staple.
- Current Big Hits: Zootopia 2, Greenland 2: Migration, and Primate.
- Pro Tip: Hit The Shire Bar & Grill right across from the theater before your show. They do a smash burger that makes movie theater hot dogs look like a crime.
The Empire Arts Center and the Ghost of the New Grand
Then there’s the Empire Arts Center downtown. This place is 1919 vintage. It was originally the "New Grand" and it’s survived floods, blizzards, and the invention of Netflix.
They don't do the 15-screen rotation. Instead, you get the Cinema 100 series. This is for the "film" people. You know the ones—they want to see Flow (2024) or a 4K restoration of Mean Girls (2004) on a Thursday night. It’s $24 for adults for the Met Opera screenings, but the regular movie series is usually cheaper.
The acoustics in there? Incredible. They had "washed air cooling" back in the 30s—the first in the state. Now, it’s just a gorgeous place to see a movie without feeling like you’re in a sterile mall environment.
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What’s Actually Playing Right Now?
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by showtimes. Here is a rough look at what’s dominating the grand forks theater movies landscape this month:
The Blockbusters
Most of the screens at River Cinema are currently dedicated to Nia DaCosta’s 28 Years Later. It’s running in Theatre 14 and 16 (the Atmos one) almost every three hours. If you want something less "zombie-apocalypse," The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is the go-to for parents right now.
The Indie/Classic Choice
The Cinema 100 Winter/Spring 2026 series at the Empire is where you find the stuff that wins awards you’ve never heard of. They also do a Family Film Series—look for screenings of The Goonies or Babe on select Saturdays.
Why the AMC Closing Changed Things
When the AMC Classic 10 on 32nd Ave closed, it changed the gravity of the city. We went from having two competing multiplexes to one primary "big" theater. This means Friday nights at River Cinema 15 are busy.
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You can't just roll up at 7:05 PM and expect a good seat anymore. You basically have to use the Atom Tickets app or Fandango. If you don't pre-order, you're stuck in the front row, looking straight up at James Cameron’s latest three-hour epic until your neck cracks.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Next Movie Night
Don't just wing it. If you want the best experience for grand forks theater movies, follow this checklist:
- Check the Atmos Schedule: If you’re seeing a movie with big sound (like Avatar or The Bone Temple), specifically look for Theatre 16 at River Cinema. The sound vibration in the floor is worth the extra couple of bucks.
- Validate the Empire Dates: The Empire Arts Center isn't open every night for movies. Their schedule is erratic. Check their monthly calendar online before you drive downtown and realize they’re hosting a dance recital instead.
- The Tuesday Discount: Most places still do the "Discount Tuesday." It’s the only way to see a movie, get a large popcorn, and still have money left for gas.
- Join the Cinema 100: If you’re a local and see more than five movies a year, the membership at the Empire Arts Center pays for itself in about three months.
The theater isn't just a place to see a film. In a city where the wind-chill can hit -30, it's a sanctuary. It’s the one place where you can be warm, eat too much salt, and watch a story unfold on a screen bigger than your apartment.
Grab your tickets early. The recliners fill up fast.