Finding Laemmle Santa Monica movie times shouldn't feel like a chore, but honestly, in an era of endless streaming and massive multiplexes, this little gem on 2nd Street is doing something different. It’s not just a place to catch a flick. It’s the Monica Film Center.
You’ve probably walked past it a dozen times on your way to the Promenade. Maybe you noticed the sleek, glass-heavy exterior that replaced the old-school facade back in 2016. It feels modern, sure. But the vibe inside is still pure arthouse. This is the place where you go when you're tired of superheroes and want something that actually makes you think—or at least something with subtitles that isn't a Netflix original.
Real Talk on Laemmle Santa Monica Movie Times
If you're looking for showtimes right now, you need to know that Laemmle programs their weeks starting on Fridays. They finalize the schedule every Tuesday. So, if you’re trying to plan a hot date for next Saturday, you might have to wait until Wednesday morning to see the exact minute that Jim Jarmusch's latest starts.
Current heavy hitters on the marquee for January 2026 include Father Mother Sister Brother and the highly anticipated Marty Supreme. They usually run sets around 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 7:00 PM. It's consistent. It’s reliable.
For the weekend of January 17th, you're looking at a pretty diverse slate. The Chronology of Water has a recurring slot at 4:15 PM. If you're an early bird, they’ve got special screenings like Resurrection at 10:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday.
Why the Schedule Matters
Arthouse theaters like the Monica Film Center don't just dump twenty screenings of the same blockbuster. They juggle. You might find a tiny documentary about Iranian video calls playing right next to a 70mm restoration of a Hitchcock classic.
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- Check the "Sneaks": The Laemmle Sneaks Club is a real thing. They often run advance screenings that don't show up on the main "movie times" list until the last minute.
- Tuesday is the day: Seriously. Every Tuesday, tickets are $7. All day. No matter the movie.
- The 6-Screen Split: Since the renovation, they have six auditoriums. Some are tiny—like 25 seats tiny. It feels like a private screening room.
Parking: The Hidden Boss of Santa Monica
Let's be real. Parking in Santa Monica is a nightmare.
The theater is at 1332 2nd Street. Don’t even try to find a spot on the street. You’ll just end up circling until the trailers are over. Instead, head straight for City Parking Structure #4. It’s literally right across the street.
The first 90 minutes are free. That is a lifesaver. If you're seeing a standard two-hour movie, you’ll probably end up paying about $3.50 to $5.00 depending on how many trailers you sit through and how fast you can walk back to your car. If you linger for a drink at the mezzanine lounge—which you should—expect to pay a bit more.
What’s Actually Playing?
It’s a mix. Right now, you’ve got things like Nuremberg and No Other Choice taking up the prime evening slots. These aren't the kind of movies you find at the AMC down the street.
The Monica Film Center is one of the few places left that does "Academy Qualification" runs. This is a bit of industry "inside baseball," but basically, for a film to be eligible for an Oscar, it has to play for a week in Los Angeles. Smaller filmmakers rent out the screens here just to get that qualification. You might stumble into the next Parasite or a weirdly beautiful short film that nobody else has heard of yet.
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The Refreshments Situation
They have beer. And wine. Locally sourced craft beer, specifically. This was a huge deal when they reopened. Most theaters give you a cardboard bucket of salty popcorn and a soda the size of a fire extinguisher. Here, you can grab a glass of Pinot and a sandwich. They even have a rooftop deck with an ocean view, though it’s often leased out to restaurant partners.
How to Get the Best Price
If you're a regular, the Premiere Card is the only way to go. You load it up, and you get $3 off every ticket. Plus, 20% off concessions. If you go once a month, it pays for itself.
- Buy the card online or at the box office.
- Register it on their site (this is the part everyone forgets).
- Use it to book your Laemmle Santa Monica movie times in advance.
Don't forget the Senior Weekdays deal either. If you're 62 or older, shows before 6:00 PM are only $7 from Monday through Friday. It’s the best value in the Westside, honestly.
The Arthouse Legacy
The Laemmle family has been doing this since 1938. Greg Laemmle is still running the show. They almost sold the whole circuit a few years back, which sent the local film community into a collective panic. Thankfully, they kept it.
The Monica specifically opened back in 1970 as a twin theater. Back then, having two screens was mind-blowing. They opened with Oliver! and Topaz. It’s gone through a lot of iterations since then—a fourplex in the 80s, and now the six-screen center we have today.
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Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you're planning to head out this week, here is the move:
Check the official Laemmle website after 10:00 AM on Tuesday to see the new week’s schedule. Book your tickets online if it's a "Special Engagement" (marked with an SP), because those sell out fast in the smaller 25-seat rooms.
Aim to arrive 20 minutes early. This gives you time to park in Structure #4, grab a drink at the mezzanine, and find your seat without doing the awkward "excuse me" shuffle in the dark. If it's a Thursday and you have that Premiere Card, don't forget your free popcorn. It's the little things.
After the movie, skip the Promenade crowds and walk a block over to 3rd Street or Arizona Ave for a quick bite. There’s a Thai place nearby and a few solid sushi spots that are way better than the mall food court.
Get your tickets through the Laemmle app or website to ensure you get reserved seating. The auditoriums are intimate, so the "good" seats in the center go quickly, especially for the evening sets of Marty Supreme or Hamnet.