
Grand Illusion Cinema
The Grand Illusion Cinema is the longest-running independent cinema in the city, and has become a landmark of the film community. Opened in 1968 by Randy Findley in a converted dentist’s office, the cinema became the city’s first arthouse, showcasing foreign and revival films. The cinema was such a success it led to Randy's opening the Seven Gables Cinema and eventually starting the local Seven Gables Theatre Chain, which inevitably got swallowed by the national Landmark Cinema Corporation. The Grand Illusion was never part of the Seven Gables chain, and remained a popular independent venue.
A nonprofit film arts organization, the Northwest Film Forum, saved the theater from closure in 1997, remodeled it, and revitalized interest in the venerable institution. Since 2004, a strong group of dedicated staff and volunteers focus attention and energy on continuing the tradition of this treasured cinema. Over the years, literally hundreds of cinema classics, rarities and truly independent cinema from around the world have been presented in the charming confines of The Grand Illusion Cinema.
TRANSPORTATION
King County Metro Transit routes 45, 70, 71, 73, 83, 74, 373, 541, 542, and 556
COVID-19 GUIDELINES
- All patrons are required to show proof of vaccination (card or photo of card) or proof of a negative COVID test from the last 48 hours.
- Masks required for all regardless of vaccination status.
- Our auditorium capacity is reduced by 50% and seats will be blocked off to help facilitate distancing. In addition, we are limiting showtimes to one per night, plus one matinee on weekend afternoons.
- We will not sell concessions for the time being. We'll have bottled water for sale for $2 or feel free to bring your own non-alcoholic beverage and keep your mask on when not drinking. No eating in the auditorium.
- We now accept debit/credit cards (in addition to cash) and offer advance ticket purchases for all shows. No refunds.
- We installed filtration capable of removing airborne COVID particles in the auditorium, lobby, and projection booth.
- We are doing all of this to keep you safe as well as our volunteers, who donate their time to run the cinema.
Upcoming Events
- Thu, Jul 7, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Thu, Jul 7, 2022 7:30pm Tahara at Grand Illusion Cinema
- Thu, Jul 7, 2022 7:30pm Tahara at Grand Illusion Cinema
- Thu, Jul 7, 2022 7:30pm Tahara at Grand Illusion Cinema
- Fri, Jul 8, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sat, Jul 9, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sun, Jul 10, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Mon, Jul 11, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Tue, Jul 12, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Wed, Jul 13, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Thu, Jul 14, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Fri, Jul 15, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sat, Jul 16, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sun, Jul 17, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Mon, Jul 18, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Tue, Jul 19, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Wed, Jul 20, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Thu, Jul 21, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Fri, Jul 22, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sat, Jul 23, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sun, Jul 24, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Mon, Jul 25, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Tue, Jul 26, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Wed, Jul 27, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Thu, Jul 28, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Fri, Jul 29, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sat, Jul 30, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sun, Jul 31, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Mon, Aug 1, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Tue, Aug 2, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Wed, Aug 3, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Thu, Aug 4, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Fri, Aug 5, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sat, Aug 6, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sun, Aug 7, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Mon, Aug 8, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Tue, Aug 9, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Wed, Aug 10, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Thu, Aug 11, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Fri, Aug 12, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sat, Aug 13, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sun, Aug 14, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Mon, Aug 15, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Tue, Aug 16, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Wed, Aug 17, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Thu, Aug 18, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Fri, Aug 19, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sat, Aug 20, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sun, Aug 21, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Mon, Aug 22, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Tue, Aug 23, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Wed, Aug 24, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Thu, Aug 25, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Fri, Aug 26, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sat, Aug 27, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Sun, Aug 28, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Mon, Aug 29, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Tue, Aug 30, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Wed, Aug 31, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema
- Thu, Sep 1, 2022 All Day ONLINE: Films @ Grand Illusion Cinema