You’ve been there. It’s Saturday night. You’re staring at a Netflix menu for forty minutes, paralyzed by choice, until you finally just give up and go to sleep. It’s a classic modern tragedy. But honestly, if you live in or around Winona, you’re doing it wrong. There is something fundamentally different about seeing a movie in a town tucked between the Mississippi River and massive limestone bluffs.
Movie theaters in Winona Minnesota aren't just about the sticky floors and overpriced snacks—though, let’s be real, the popcorn here is actually a high point. It’s about the fact that in a town this size, the theater is the town square. Whether you’re hitting the multiplex for a Marvel explosion or sitting in a creaky chair for a documentary about Ukrainian weightlifters, you’re part of a local ritual.
The Workhorse: Winona 7
If you want the classic experience, you go to Winona 7. It’s located right on West 2nd Street. It’s a CEC Theater (Cinema Entertainment Corporation for the trivia nerds), and it’s basically the anchor of local movie-going.
Some people complain it feels a bit vintage. I say that’s the point. You aren't getting those sterile, clinical vibes of a 24-screen megacentre in the Twin Cities. You get seven screens, stadium seating that’s actually comfortable, and digital sound that hits hard enough to rattle your soda.
- Pro Tip: Go on a Tuesday. Seriously. Like most regional theaters, they run deals that make it cheaper than a fancy coffee.
- The Tech: They’ve got 3D capabilities for the big blockbusters, but most people come for the standard 2D experience.
- The Vibe: It’s where the high schoolers go for first dates and where families pile in on rainy Saturday afternoons.
If you're looking for showtimes, don't just trust a random Google snippet. The CEC website is the only way to be 100% sure, especially because they’ve been known to shuffle times for big releases like Avatar: Fire and Ash or Zootopia 2.
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The "Secret" Cinema Scene
Winona is a college town. Between Winona State University (WSU) and Saint Mary’s, there’s a constant influx of people who want more than just superhero sequels. This is where things get interesting.
The Winona Film Society is the real MVP here. They don't have a dedicated "theater" in the traditional sense, but they take over the Winona Arts Center on East 5th Street. Think less "corporate lobby" and more "community living room."
On January 31, 2026, they’re doing a Bon Appetit event featuring the movie Big Night. It’s $25 at the door, but that includes Italian appetizers and wine. You aren't getting that at a Cinemark. It’s a small-scale, intimate experience where you actually talk to the person sitting next to you. Only 50 tickets are usually available for these, so you have to be fast.
The Frozen River Factor
You cannot talk about movie theaters in Winona Minnesota without talking about the Frozen River Film Festival (FRFF). This isn't just a local event; it’s one of the premier documentary festivals in the Midwest.
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Every February, the town transforms. In 2026, it’s running from February 1st to the 8th. They use a bunch of different venues:
- The ARC (Masonic Theatre): This place is historic. The architecture alone is worth the ticket price.
- Winona County History Center: Watching a film about local history in a building dedicated to it? Meta.
- Winona Arts Center: The usual haunt for the indie crowd.
The 2026 lineup is intense. They’ve got Third Act, a feature about intergenerational art, and Everything Needs to Live, which follows a Ukrainian weightlifter during the war. It’s heavy stuff, but it’s the kind of cinema that stays with you for months. If you’re a student at WSU, you usually get in for free with a code, which is a massive win.
Why We Still Go
Let’s talk about the "theatre experience" for a second. People say cinema is dying. Those people haven't been to Winona in the winter. When it’s -10 degrees outside and the wind is whipping off the river, there is no better place to be than a dark room with a 40-foot screen.
There’s a specific smell to the Winona 7 lobby. It’s that mixture of salt, butter, and that weirdly pleasant "old building" scent. It’s nostalgic. It’s also one of the few places left where you’re forced to put your phone away for two hours. Honestly, we all need that.
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A Quick History Lesson (No Quiz, Promise)
Winona used to have even more screens. The State Theatre and the old Winona Opera House are parts of a bygone era, but you can still see the bones of that history if you walk around downtown. The ARC/Masonic Theatre is the last real link to that "grand" style of movie-going. When you sit in there, you’re sitting where people have been watching performances for over a century. That matters.
The Practical Stuff
If you're planning a night out, keep these details in mind:
- Parking: Downtown Winona is generally easy, but near the Winona 7, it can get tight on Friday nights. Give yourself ten minutes.
- Tickets: Buy online for Winona 7 if it’s an opening weekend. For the Film Society or FRFF, you almost have to buy in advance.
- Accessibility: Winona 7 is fully handicap accessible and offers hearing-assisted devices. The older venues like the Arts Center are a bit more "character-heavy," but they make it work.
The reality is that movie theaters in Winona Minnesota offer a range. You have the predictable, comfortable multiplex experience at one end and the "wine and indie film" vibe at the other.
Your Next Steps
If you want to actually experience the best of what Winona's film scene has to offer right now, here is what you should do:
- Check the Winona 7 Listings: Grab a ticket for a matinee this weekend. It’s cheaper, quieter, and feels like a private screening if you pick a Sunday morning.
- Get a FRFF Pass: If it’s February, don't just buy one ticket. Get the "Online-Only" pass for $65 or the "All Access" for $135. It is the best value for the amount of culture you get.
- Visit the Winona Arts Center: Even if there isn't a movie playing, check their calendar. It’s the heartbeat of the local creative scene.
- Support Local: Buy the popcorn. The margin on tickets is razor-thin for theaters, so the concession stand is literally how they keep the lights on.