The air inside a movie theater usually smells like synthetic butter and old carpet. But walking into the Tara Theater Atlanta right now feels different. It feels like a victory.
If you live in Atlanta, you know the drill. You drive down Cheshire Bridge Road, past the neon signs and the slightly chaotic intersections, and there it is—that mid-century facade glowing like a 1960s dream. For a minute there, we almost lost it. In late 2022, when Regal decided to pull the plug, it felt like the end of an era for local cinephiles. It wasn't just a business closing; it was the death of a certain kind of culture.
But then, Chris Escobar stepped in.
Honestly, the guy is basically the patron saint of Atlanta celluloid at this point. He already owned the Plaza Theatre, and he saw what the rest of us saw: a city that desperately needed its independent screens. He didn't just buy a building; he spearheaded a community-funded resurrection that brought the Tara back from the brink in 2023.
The Weird, Wonderful History of the Tara Theater Atlanta
Most people don't realize the Tara wasn't always an "indie" spot. It opened in 1968 as Loew’s Tara, a high-end, single-screen palace with 1,000 seats. It was meant to be grand. It opened with a 70mm screening of Gone with the Wind, which is a bit on the nose given the name, but hey, it was the sixties.
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Over the decades, it shifted. It went from a massive single screen to a twin, then added more rooms until it became the four-screen layout we know today. It survived the corporate takeover by United Artists and later Regal, but it always kept that "Streamline Moderne" interior vibe. You know the one—silver accents, portraits of Bogart and Garbo, and those weirdly comfortable velvet seats.
What actually happened when it closed?
When Regal shut it down in November 2022, they didn't just lock the doors. They gutted it. They took the digital projectors. They took the servers. They basically left a hollow shell.
Rebuilding it wasn't just about painting the walls. Escobar and his team had to raise several hundred thousand dollars. They used a "stretch goal" crowdfunding model, and Atlanta showed up. People bought gift cards and "Reel Friends" memberships before the theater even had a reopening date. It was a massive gamble on the idea that people still want to see movies with strangers in the dark.
What’s Playing at the Tara Right Now?
If you're looking for the latest Marvel flick, you're in the wrong place. The Tara Theater Atlanta specializes in the stuff that usually gets buried by the algorithms. We're talking A24 dramas, international films that haven't been dubbed into English, and 4K restorations of cult classics.
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As of early 2026, the lineup is looking pretty eclectic. You've got:
- Marty Supreme (2025): The latest indie darling that everyone on Letterboxd is arguing about.
- The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Extended Cuts): Because seeing the 70mm or 4K restorations on a massive screen is the only way to truly experience Middle-earth.
- Father Mother Sister Brother: Jim Jarmusch's latest, which is exactly the kind of slow-burn cinema the Tara was built for.
One of the coolest things about the "new" Tara is the return of film—actual, physical film. They’ve installed 35mm and 70mm projectors, making it one of the few places in the Southeast where you can see a movie the way it was originally shot. There's a texture to 70mm that digital just can't mimic. It's got a soul.
Why the Tara Matters More Than Ever
Streaming has made us lazy. It’s easy to sit on the couch and scroll for 45 minutes until you give up and watch The Office for the tenth time. The Tara breaks that cycle.
It’s a "social cinema." You’ll see people standing in the lobby after a 10:00 PM screening of a weird documentary, actually talking to each other. It’s one of the few places left in Atlanta where the "End Credits" aren't a signal to check your phone, but a moment to sit and process what you just saw.
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The Plaza Connection
Think of the Tara as the sophisticated older sibling to the Plaza Theatre on Ponce. While the Plaza is famous for The Rocky Horror Picture Show and a slightly more "punk rock" atmosphere, the Tara is where you go for the deep cuts. It’s the "sister cinema" strategy that Escobar uses to keep both historic spots alive. By sharing resources, staff, and even film prints, they’ve created a tiny empire of independent art in a city that is rapidly being bulldozed for luxury condos.
Pro-Tips for Your Next Visit
If you’re heading out to Cheshire Bridge, there are a few things you should know.
- The Parking Situation: It’s a shared lot with a strip mall. It can get tight on Friday nights. Give yourself an extra ten minutes so you aren't sprinting into the theater while the trailers are ending.
- The Concessions: They actually have good snacks. No, seriously. It’s not just stale popcorn. They focus on local vendors and decent beer/wine options.
- The "Tara-drome": Keep an eye out for their special series. They often do "Taradrome" events, which are curated marathons or double features that usually include a Q&A with someone who actually knows what they're talking about.
How to Keep the Lights On
The reality is that independent theaters are always about three bad months away from a crisis. If you want the Tara Theater Atlanta to be there in 2030, you have to actually go.
- Buy a Membership: If you go even once a month, the "Reel Friends" program usually pays for itself in discounts.
- Skip the Big Chains: Next time an indie movie opens, check the Tara's schedule before you head to the AMC.
- Check the 70mm Schedule: Whenever they announce a 70mm screening, go. Even if you’ve seen the movie. The visual clarity and depth are something you won't get on your 55-inch TV at home.
The Tara isn't just a movie theater; it’s a landmark that refused to die. It’s proof that if a community cares enough about its history, it can actually save it.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
Go to the official Tara Atlanta website and check the "Special Events" tab first. Many of their best screenings—like the 70mm anniversaries or director Q&As—sell out days in advance. If you're planning a weekend trip, grab those tickets on Tuesday when the new schedule typically drops to ensure you don't get stuck in the front row.