You’d think a high-altitude college town like Laramie would be a cinematic wasteland, or at least stuck with one of those dusty, single-screen theaters where the popcorn tastes like 1992. It's not. If you’re looking for movies in Laramie WY, you actually have options that rival much bigger cities, though the local "vibe" is definitely different than what you’ll find down in Denver or even up in Casper.
The reality? Laramie is currently in a weird, beautiful middle ground between high-tech luxury and historic grit.
The Heavy Hitters: Where to Actually Catch a Blockbuster
If you want the full "recliner and a giant tub of butter" experience, you basically have two main choices. Most people end up at Studio City UW + ARQ over in the UW Plaza. This isn't your typical small-town cinema. They’ve got ten auditoriums, and honestly, the ARQ premium large-format screen is impressive. We’re talking a 62-foot curved screen and Dolby Atmos sound. It’s the kind of place where you can watch something like Avatar: Fire and Ash (yes, that’s finally a thing in 2026) and actually feel the floor shake.
One thing locals will tell you: bring a hoodie. Seriously. Even in July, the AC in Studio City is aggressive. It’s a running joke that you need to dress for a blizzard just to watch a rom-com. The luxury electric recliners are great, but they are cold.
On the other side of town—well, the middle of town—is the Regal Fox Theater on South 20th Street. It’s a bit more "classic Regal," but it’s kept up well. It usually gets the same big releases as Studio City, so if one is sold out on a Friday night, just drive five minutes to the other. That’s the beauty of Laramie; nothing is more than ten minutes away.
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The "Real" Laramie: Gryphon Theatre and The Wyo
Now, if you’re tired of Marvel sequels and want something with actual soul, you have to look toward the Gryphon Theatre. Located in the old Laramie Plains Civic Center, the Gryphon is a gorgeous, historic space. It doesn't show movies every night—it’s more of a venue for the Laradise Music Showcase or touring comedians—but when they do a film screening, it’s an event.
They host the Wild and Working Lands Film Festival every spring (usually around late March). This isn’t just "nature docs." It’s a curated selection of films about the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains. It’s free to the public, and the atmosphere in that old theater is unmatched.
Speaking of history, everyone asks about The Wyo Theater on South 5th Street.
Here’s the truth: it’s currently a project. The Wyo was built way back in the 1920s as the Crown Theatre and has been a staple of Laramie’s history for a century. It closed its doors as a commercial cinema years ago and was gifted to Laramie Main Street Alliance in 2019. If you walk past it today, you’ll see the iconic neon marquee, but the doors are often locked. There is a massive community effort right now to raise funds and turn it into a multi-use cultural hub. It’s the heart of downtown, even if it's currently "resting."
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Don't Sleep on the University Scene
Because this is a college town, some of the best movies in Laramie WY happen right on the University of Wyoming campus. You don't have to be a student to catch some of these.
7220 Entertainment—the student-led programming board—runs a "Films and Fine Arts" series. They often do "Union After Dark" events where they screen movies for free. Sometimes it's a throwback like The Rocky Horror Picture Show around Halloween, and other times it's an indie film that never made it to the big Regal screens.
Why the "Lincoln Theater" Confusion?
You might see some old blogs or AI-generated junk talking about the "Lincoln Theater" in Laramie.
Let’s set the record straight: The Lincoln is in Cheyenne. People constantly mix these up because both towns are on I-80, but if you drive to downtown Laramie looking for the Lincoln Theater, you're going to be disappointed. Stick to the Fox, Studio City, or the Gryphon.
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Pro Tips for Moviegoers in the Gem City
If you're planning a night out, keep these few things in mind:
- The Rewards Cards actually matter. Both WyoMovies (Studio City) and Regal have loyalty programs. Since these are the only two main games in town, the points rack up fast. You’ll get a free popcorn every few visits, which, at today's prices, is basically a gold bar.
- Monday is the secret. Studio City does "Discount Mondays" for reward members. If you're over 60, it's even cheaper ($6.00).
- Parking is a lie. The UW Plaza (Studio City) looks like it has a ton of parking, but on a UW game day? Forget it. Check the Cowboys' schedule before you book a Saturday matinee.
- Local Shorts. Keep an eye out for screenings from the UW Department of English or Communication & Journalism. There is a growing filmmaking scene here, and student film showcases often pop up at the Wyoming Union.
Laramie isn't just a place where you wait for things to come out on streaming. Between the massive ARQ screen and the community-driven festivals at the Gryphon, it’s a legitimate movie town. Just remember that hoodie.
To get the most out of the scene, check the WyoMovies website for the ARQ schedule or follow Laramie Main Street on social media to see if there are any pop-up outdoor screenings at the Depot Park during the summer months—those are usually the highlight of the season.