Finding a flick in Bend isn't just about checking a corporate app and hoping the popcorn isn't stale. Honestly, if you're just looking at a generic search result for movie listings bend oregon, you're probably missing the best parts of the local scene. Most people end up at the big multiplex by default. Nothing wrong with that, but Bend has these weird, charming pockets of cinema that feel way more "Central Oregon" than a reclining plastic chair ever will.
You've got the massive IMAX screens on one end of town and a tiny 28-seat arthouse hidden in an alleyway on the other. It’s a strange mix.
The Heavy Hitters: Regal Old Mill & IMAX
If you want the big-budget, floor-shaking experience, the Regal Old Mill is basically the mothership. It’s sitting right there in the heart of the Old Mill District at 680 SW Powerhouse Drive. Because it’s 2026, the tech has actually caught up to the hype. They aren't just doing standard digital projection anymore; they’ve leaned hard into ScreenX—which is that 270-degree panoramic thing—and of course, the IMAX wing.
Right now, the listings are dominated by the heavyweights. We're talking Avatar: Fire and Ash taking up half the screen real estate, but there’s also some surprisingly cool stuff like 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and Marty Supreme.
One thing that genuinely annoys people? The curfew. If you’re under 18, you’ve got a 10 PM cutoff on school nights and midnight on weekends. They actually enforce it. Also, if you’re heading there this week, keep an eye out for the Lord of the Rings re-releases. They’re running The Two Towers and The Return of the King on the big screen again, which, let’s be real, is the only way to watch those movies.
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- Pro Tip: If you're a Regal Crown Club member, they’re doing a "Monday Mystery Movie" on January 19th. It’s cheap, but you have no idea what you’re watching until the lights go down. Kinda fun, kinda risky.
The Soul of Downtown: Tin Pan Theater
Okay, let's talk about the Tin Pan Theater. If the Regal is a massive cruise ship, the Tin Pan is a local tugboat with a lot of character. It’s tucked away in Tin Pan Alley (near NW Minnesota Ave). It only has about 28 fixed seats. Yeah, 28.
It’s owned by BendFilm, the same folks who run the festival every October. This is where you go for the stuff that doesn't get a $100 million marketing budget. Think international documentaries, cult classics, and "Spaghetti Western Wednesdays."
They literally have a series called Spaghetti Western Wednesdays that runs from January through April. You get dinner and a movie. It’s curated by people who actually live and breathe film—guys like Jared Rasic, who has been writing about movies in Central Oregon forever and has an encyclopedic knowledge of horror.
The vibe here is different. You’re buying popcorn in a space that feels like someone’s very fancy basement. You have to arrive early. If a show sells out, they sometimes pull out folding lawn chairs or bar stools. It’s chaotic in a good way.
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Why McMenamins Old St. Francis Changes Everything
You haven't really seen a movie in Bend until you’ve done it with a slice of Hammerhead pizza and a pint of ale in an overstuffed sofa. The McMenamins Old St. Francis School Theater is a former Catholic school parish hall turned into a cinema.
It’s cozy. Like, "I might accidentally take a nap" cozy. They usually play second-run movies or big hits that have been out for a few weeks, like Zootopia 2.
- Tuesday is the day. Tickets drop to $6 per person. In this economy, that’s basically free.
- Minor policy: Kids are allowed before 5 PM. After that, it’s 21+ unless they’re with a parent.
- The Soaking Pool: If you’re really doing it right, you hit the soaking pool afterward.
The theater fits about 150 people, but because of the couches and armchairs, it feels much smaller. They’ve got this weird, eclectic art all over the walls—typical McMenamins style—and the acoustics are surprisingly decent for an old school building.
Movie Listings Bend Oregon: Beyond the Theater Walls
We can't talk about movies here without mentioning the Last Blockbuster. It’s on Revere Ave. No, it doesn't have showtimes because it's a rental store, but it's part of the cinematic DNA of this town. People travel from all over the world just to stand in those aisles. Honestly, it’s worth the stop just for the nostalgia hit of smelling that specific "rental store" scent.
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Then there’s the seasonal stuff. Sometimes you’ll catch "Movies in the Mountains" up at Mt. Bachelor or drive-in style events in the summer. Back in October, they did Hocus Pocus up at the mountain where people were literally tailgating in their SUVs with blankets and racing slicks (which is a terrible idea on those roads, by the way).
Local Secrets for a Better Experience
- Parking at the Old Mill: It’s a nightmare on Friday nights. If you’re seeing a 7 PM show, get there at 6:30 PM. Don't even try to park right in front of the theater. Park further back by the river and take the walk.
- The Tin Pan rest room: It’s all-gender and single-user. Just a heads up if there’s a line during the credits.
- Closed Captioning: Both Regal and McMenamins are pretty good about offering OCAP (Open Caption) screenings. Usually, these are on Wednesday afternoons or specific weekend matinees. Check the listings specifically for the "OCAP" tag.
Bend’s film scene is split between the "I want to see things explode in IMAX" crowd and the "I want to discuss the cinematography of a French drama" crowd. Most of us are somewhere in the middle.
If you're looking for the current movie listings bend oregon has to offer right now, skip the third-party aggregators that are usually three days behind. Go straight to the source. Check the Regal app for the blockbusters, the Tin Pan’s "Eventive" page for the weird indie stuff, and McMenamins’ main site for the "dinner and a movie" vibe.
Go grab a ticket for that Lord of the Rings marathon at the Old Mill while you still can. Watching the Charge of the Rohirrim on an IMAX screen is a core memory waiting to happen. After that, maybe head downtown to the Tin Pan and see something you’ve never heard of. That’s the real Bend experience.
Check the specific theater websites for today's exact times, as midweek schedules often shift for special events or private rentals. Stick to the local box offices for the most accurate pricing, especially for those Tuesday discounts.
Next Steps for Your Movie Night:
- Check the specific "Open Caption" times if you need accessibility features, as these aren't available for every showing.
- Pre-order tickets for the Old Mill via the Regal app if you're targeting a weekend IMAX show; they fill up faster than you'd think.
- Visit the Tin Pan's website to see if their Spaghetti Western Wednesday for this week is already sold out, as those dinner-and-a-movie slots are notoriously limited.