You're standing in the middle of Ninth Street or maybe just finished a massive bowl of pasta at Gocciolina, and someone asks the dreaded question: "So, what's playing?"
Honestly, finding movies in theaters in Durham NC used to be a lot simpler before the AMC Classic Durham 15 (you know, the old Carmike on MLK) bit the dust. Now, you actually have to be a little strategic if you don't want to spend forty minutes idling in I-40 traffic just to see a flick.
We’ve got a weirdly specific mix of screens right now. You’ve got the massive, heated-recliner experience over at Southpoint, the "I want a cocktail and a full meal" vibe at Silverspot, and then the Carolina Theatre, which is basically the soul of downtown.
Here is exactly what is happening on Durham screens right now, and more importantly, which ones are worth the $15 ticket.
The Big Hitters: What’s Dominating the Box Office
If you are looking for the massive blockbusters that require a screen the size of a barn, you’re basically looking at three or four main titles this week.
Avatar: Fire and Ash is still the 800-pound gorilla in the room. If you’re going to see this, go to the IMAX at AMC Southpoint 17. Don't bother with a standard screen; the whole point of James Cameron is the spectacle, and Southpoint’s IMAX with Laser is about as good as it gets in the Triangle.
Then there’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. People have been waiting for this for decades, and the early word is that it’s actually terrifying. It’s pulling a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes right now, which is wild for a horror sequel.
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For the families—or just the people who still love animation—Zootopia 2 and The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants are the big ones. Pro tip: The Southpoint AMC has been doing "Parental Escort" policies lately for shows after 8:00 PM, so if you’re trying to catch a late-night show without a swarm of middle schoolers, aim for those times.
The "Hidden" Durham Gems: Carolina Theatre & Silverspot
You can’t talk about movies in Durham without mentioning the Carolina Theatre. It’s the 1926 historic landmark at 309 W. Morgan St. that makes you feel like you’re actually at the cinema and not just a retail multiplex.
Right now, they are doing a fascinating mix. They’ve got Marty Supreme (the new Josh Safdie flick) and Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice. They also run these "Retro Film" series that are honestly the best deal in town. Today, they’ve got a screening of Hitchcock's Notorious (1946) and the original Vanishing Point (1971). If you’ve never seen a classic on that big Fletcher Hall screen, you’re missing out.
If you want a different kind of luxury, head to Silverspot Cinema. Technically it’s just over the line in Chapel Hill at University Place, but let’s be real, half of Durham hangs out there.
Silverspot is currently leaning into "cultural" screenings. They have the Metropolitan Opera: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay coming up, and they’re running a 20th-anniversary screening of Mean Girls today. It’s the place you go when you want a glass of bourbon and a seat that doesn’t feel like it was cleaned with a damp rag in 2012.
A Massive Warning About The Lord of the Rings
There is a massive "Event" happening right now across almost all Durham theaters. They are re-releasing the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy.
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- The Fellowship of the Ring (2026 Event)
- The Two Towers (2026 Event)
- The Return of the King (2026 Event)
These aren't just 2-hour movies. Return of the King is clocking in at 4 hours and 27 minutes. If you’re planning to do this at the AMC Southpoint, check the seat heaters first. You’re going to be there for a while. These are "A-List Excluded" events, meaning if you have the AMC subscription, you still have to pay out of pocket. Annoying? Yes. Worth it to see the Battle of Pelennor Fields on a 60-foot screen? Probably.
The Foreign Film and Indie Scene
Durham has always had a better-than-average appetite for international cinema. The Raja Saab (Telugu) is playing at Southpoint, and it’s a massive three-hour epic.
Also, look out for The Housemaid and Hamnet. Hamnet is particularly popular right now with the Duke crowd—it’s based on the Maggie O'Farrell novel about Shakespeare's son. It’s got a 93% audience score, which is basically a "guaranteed good date night" rating.
Real Talk: Which Theater Should You Choose?
Sometimes you just want the closest screen, but if you have the choice, here is the breakdown:
1. AMC Southpoint 17
Best for: IMAX, big popcorn, and doing some shopping before the movie.
Downside: It’s a zoo on Friday nights. The parking garage is a nightmare. Honestly, give yourself 20 minutes just to park.
2. Carolina Theatre
Best for: Indie films, Hitchcock marathons, and feeling like a cultured adult.
Downside: Parking downtown is also a bit of a trek, though the Corcoran St. deck is right there. The popcorn is good, but the "dinner" options are basically whatever you find on Main Street afterward.
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3. Silverspot Cinema
Best for: People who hate teenagers. The vibe is much more "adult." The food is actually edible—not just "theater food" edible.
Downside: It’s the most expensive option. You’ll walk out $60 lighter if you get a meal and a drink.
Why Some Movies Aren't Where You Think They Are
You might see Greenland 2: Migration or Primate listed, but notice they have fewer showtimes. These middle-tier thrillers are getting squeezed by the Avatar/LOTR dominance. If you want to see an indie or a mid-budget horror, see it this weekend. By next Friday, the big studios will likely take over those screens for whatever the next blockbuster is.
Also, a quick note for those who miss the old Durham 15—don't just drive there out of habit. It’s permanently closed. If you’re in that part of North Durham, you’re basically headed to Southpoint or making the trek over to the Regal Brier Creek in Raleigh.
Actionable Steps for Your Movie Night
If you're actually planning to head out tonight or tomorrow, here is the move:
- Check the "Discount Matinee" status: AMC Southpoint still does 20% off tickets for shows before 4:00 PM.
- Book Fellowship of the Ring in advance: Those LOTR anniversary screenings are selling out fast, especially the weekend slots.
- Sign up for the Carolina Theatre newsletter: That’s the only way you’ll catch the one-night-only screenings of documentaries like Breaking the Booth or the upcoming Vault Theatre specials.
- Download the "Fever" or "AMC" app: Don't be the person standing in line at the kiosk. It’s 2026; just scan your phone and go straight to the concession line.
The landscape of movies in theaters in Durham NC is definitely more concentrated than it used to be, but between the IMAX spectacles at Southpoint and the cinematic history at the Carolina, we've still got it better than most of the state.