If you’re walking down High Street or killing time at Easton, you’ve probably noticed that the vibe of going to the movies has shifted. It’s not just about the popcorn anymore. Honestly, the way we catch movies in theaters in Columbus Ohio has become this weird, wonderful mix of massive IMAX spectacles and tiny, draft-beer-soaked indie screenings.
You’ve got the behemoths like AMC Easton 30, but then you’ve got places like Studio 35 where people are basically treating a screening like a neighborhood house party. It’s a lot to navigate. If you just check a random app, you might miss the fact that some of the best cinematic experiences in the 614 aren’t happening at the multiplex at all.
The Big Blockbusters Dominating Columbus Screens Right Now
Right now, if you head to the Polaris 18 or the Lennox, you’re going to see a lot of people lining up for the heavy hitters. Avatar: Fire and Ash is still pulling in massive crowds even weeks after its late 2025 release. It's one of those movies you genuinely have to see on the biggest screen possible—think the XD screens at Cinemark or the IMAX at the Lennox—otherwise, what’s even the point?
But the real talk of the town this week is the arrival of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. People have been waiting for this Danny Boyle-produced sequel for ages. It’s gritty. It’s loud. And it’s playing at pretty much every major theater in Central Ohio, from Grove City to Gahanna.
What's fresh on the marquee this weekend:
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – The zombie epic finally hits.
- Night Patrol – A tense thriller for the late-night crowd.
- All You Need Is Kill – The Japanese sci-fi import everyone’s whispering about.
- Greenland 2: Migration – More Gerard Butler disaster goodness.
If you’re looking for something a bit more... "prestige," Marty Supreme is still holding strong. It stars Timothée Chalamet and has that A24 vibe that Columbus film geeks absolutely eat up. You’ll find it at the Drexel in Bexley or the Gateway Film Center near campus.
Why the Indie Scene is the Real Heart of Columbus Film
Let’s be real. The multiplex is fine, but Columbus has one of the best independent film scenes in the Midwest. Most people get this wrong—they think "indie" means "boring."
It doesn't.
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Gateway Film Center is a perfect example. They don't just show movies; they curate them. This month they’ve got their "World Spotlight" series running. You can catch things like Obex or The Chronology of Water—films you literally cannot see anywhere else in the state.
Then there's the Drexel Theatre on Main Street. It’s iconic. Walking in there feels like stepping back into a time when movies were an event. They’re currently running a mix of the new Ridley Scott-produced Hamnet and some quirky throwbacks. They even do "A Case of the Mondays" where they screen classics, which is a killer way to beat the start-of-the-week blues.
And we can't talk about movies in theaters in Columbus Ohio without mentioning the "Drafthouse" culture.
Studio 35 in Clintonville and the Grandview Theater are basically the cool older cousins of the theater world. They serve local craft beer, they have actual pizza (Fibonacci’s at Studio 35 is legitimately good), and they do events like the "Dude-A-Thon."
Imagine a theater full of people in bathrobes watching The Big Lebowski while drinking White Russians. That is the peak Columbus movie experience.
Navigating the Best Screens in the 614
Choosing where to go depends entirely on your mood. Sometimes you want the heated reclining seats and the "Dine-In" service at Easton. Other times, you want the sticky-floor charm of a repertory house.
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AMC DINE-IN Easton Town Center 30 is the titan. It has 30 screens. You could get lost in there and not be found for three days. It’s perfect for the "dinner and a movie" date where you don't actually want to leave the building.
Cinemark Polaris 18 and XD is the go-to for the North Side. Their XD screens are the closest competition to IMAX you’ll find, with a sound system that’ll rattle your teeth.
Gateway Film Center is the nerd’s paradise. They have a bar, a lounge, and a focus on "Visual Storytelling" that makes you feel smarter just by walking through the door.
The Drexel Theatre is for the Bexley crowd and anyone who appreciates Art Deco. It’s elegant. It’s quiet. It’s where you go to see the movie that’s going to win an Oscar in three months.
Surprising Details You Might Not Know
Did you know that the Ohio Theatre isn't really a "movie theater" in the traditional sense anymore? People search for showtimes there all the time, but it’s mostly for the Broadway in Columbus series or the Symphony. However, during the summer, they do the CAPA Summer Movie Series, which is the only time you can watch a flick in a literal movie palace for like five bucks.
Also, keep an eye on the Wexner Center for the Arts. They do "The Box," which is a free, rotating video art installation. It's not a "movie" in the sense of Avatar, but if you want to see something avant-garde that will give you weird dreams, that's the spot.
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Actionable Tips for your next Movie Night:
- Check the local drafthouses first. Before you hit the big chains, see if Studio 35 or Grandview is doing a special screening. You’ll save money on tickets and get better beer.
- The "Gateway" Membership is worth it. If you go to more than two movies a month, their "myGFC" program pays for itself instantly.
- Validate your parking. If you’re at the Gateway or the Lennox, don’t forget to scan your ticket. Columbus parking enforcement is ruthless.
- Go to the Drexel for the popcorn. I don’t know what they do to it, but it’s arguably the best in the city. Real butter makes a difference.
What’s Coming Up Next?
Looking ahead, February is going to be huge. We’re expecting the Studio 35 Academy Awards Watch Party, which is always a sell-out. People dress up, there’s a special menu, and it’s way better than watching it on your couch.
Also, the Cinema Columbus Film Festival is prepping for its September return. While that’s a ways off, they usually start doing "teaser" screenings around the various indie venues in late winter.
Basically, if you’re looking for movies in theaters in Columbus Ohio, you have options that most cities our size would kill for. You can see a $200 million CGI explosion at 2:00 PM and a 35mm print of an obscure 70s horror movie at 10:00 PM, all within a ten-minute drive.
Stop checking Netflix. Put on some actual shoes. Go support a local screen.
To make the most of your trip, check the individual theater websites for "Discount Tuesdays"—most Cinemark and AMC locations in the area offer $8 to $10 tickets if you go mid-week. If you're heading to the Clintonville or Grandview area, definitely grab a pizza from the theater kitchen at least 20 minutes before your showtime to avoid the rush. For the true cinephiles, signing up for the Gateway Film Center’s newsletter is the only way to catch the limited one-night-only screenings of international films that rarely get a wide release.