Coastal Virginia has five terrific stand-alone independent movie theaters.
By Butch Maier
The restoration project for the Riverview Theater in Norfolk has a budget shortage, The Virginian-Pilot reported. So, if a movie lover out there has an extra $1 million to spare, there could be a sixth to try.
Naro Expanded Cinema
1507 Colley Ave., Norfolk
narocinema.com
Vibe: 1970s auteur arthouse
Onscreen: When Harry Met Sally (1989), starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan
Audience size: 42
Theater experience: When one of your five favorite movies plays in a theater again, you’ve gotta go. When Harry Met Sally looked and sounded just as fresh as it did 37 years ago. The colors were crisp. The dialogue snapped. A good-size audience on a random Tuesday was invested in the witty banter between Harry Burns and Sally Albright. Even a character’s subtle reaction could elicit chuckles. While the famous deli scene punchline delivered laughs, the surprise was gone, so there was plenty of time left in the montage of cutaway shots for me to have more of what I was having: a refill of unlimited soda. The Naro offers something for everyone. The week before the Oscars, the theater played a slew of Oscar-nominated films: One Battle After Another, Sinners, Hamnet, Bugonia, documentary shorts, and animated shorts. Project Hail Mary played on opening night. Then Film Break Society presented a new 4K restoration of Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains, the 1982 Diane Lane-Laura Dern-Diane Ladd vehicle. The Naro brought back Friday. Then Mallrats. Then The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The week I went offered a Reel Legends Perspective—one movie each featuring an actor or director who recently passed: Robert Duvall, Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, Val Kilmer, Diane Keaton, and Rob Reiner—director of When Harry Met Sally. Theresa Schindler and Kate Loftis, longtime managers at the Naro, took over the business this year from owners Tench Phillips and Thom Vourlas, who operated the cinema for nearly a half century. While it is the end of an era, it is not, thankfully, the end of the Naro.
Rookie move: Didn’t eat dinner first. While The Naro offers yummy
snacks galore, I had to go grab
a burger and return.
Full disclosure: The Naro hosted premieres for two of my movies, Mother of a Day (2019) and Kill Devil Hills (2022).
Employee’s favorite flick: Marie Antoinette (2006)—Abby Benson, concession salesperson and ticket taker
One to watch this summer: All the President’s Men (1976) plays Aug. 3-4.
Commodore Theatre (photo at top)
421 High St., Portsmouth
commodoretheatre.com
Vibe: 1940s moviehouse
Onscreen: Project Hail Mary,
starring Ryan Gosling
Audience size: 32
Theater experience: Old-school cameras greet you in the lobby. Food is ordered by a phone on your table and delivered. You can get a pitcher of soda for the cost you pay for a large at a multiplex. The enormity of Project Hail Mary must be seen on a gigantic screen, and the Commodore provided the perfect space to get lost in space.
Rookie move: Don’t wait too long to order popcorn! The Commodore staff would not take my snack call during the movie, which is actually a good call—fewer distractions for the audience.
Full disclosure: The Commodore showed my first movie,
The Bride and the Grooms (2009).
Employee’s favorite flick: Girl, Interrupted (1999)—Isabella Woods, server and cook
One to watch this summer: Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) opens July 31.
York River Crossing Cinemas
2226 York Crossing Drive, Hayes
yrccinemas.com
Vibe: 1980s mall multiplex
Onscreen: Scream 7, starring
Neve Campbell
Audience size: 1
Theater experience: This was my first visit to YRC Cinemas, and the setup reminded me of my teenage days, when I would play arcade games until right before the movie started. I had the theater all to myself. While it is fun to watch a movie in a packed theater, it also is fun to watch a movie in an empty theater. Pick any seat you want. No talking or phone lights to distract you.
Rookie move: I arrived way too early, overly worrying about a 56-mile trip that included our old nemesis, the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.
Full disclosure: I attended a matinee. Several people were buying tickets to later shows as I was leaving.
Employee’s favorite flick: Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)—Allen Smith,
general manager
One to watch this summer:
Toy Story 5 (2026) opened June 19.
Roseland Theatre
48 Market St., Onancock
roselandonancock.com
Vibe: 1950s auditorium
Onscreen: Michael
Audience size: 58
Theater experience: A sweet sign greeted moviegoers entering the Roseland: “BEST PEOPLE ON EARTH WALK THRU THESE DOORS—OUR CUSTOMERS.” Scott Chandler, who has owned the theater for 50 of its 75 years, worked hard to live up to the motto. He staffed the ticket booth. He pitched in at the refreshment stand. He chatted up visitors. Walking to my old-school seat felt like walking back in time to my high school days—or at least visiting for a reunion.
Rookie move: Ordered snacks too quickly before scanning the options. Missed out on more yummy selections.
Full disclosure: It’s quite a hike from Virginia Beach. Arrived way too early so I could enjoy dinner at Bread & Butter down the street. Plenty of free parking around the quaint downtown.
Employee’s favorite flick:
Dirty Dancing (1987)—Chandler
One to watch this summer: Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) opened May 22.
Island Theatre
4074 Main St., Chincoteague
islandtheatres.com
Rookie move and full disclosure: I drove up to the Eastern Shore thinking I could hit two theaters in one day, but the Island and Roseland only had 7 p.m. showings. Had to make a choice. I should have gone on a Wednesday, so I could have seen Misty at the Island.
Theater offerings: The Island shows one movie on Friday and one on Saturday each week. In addition to current movies shown, just look at these classics that played in March: Suspicion, His Girl Friday, The Quiet Man, My Left Foot, and A Night at the Opera.
One to watch this summer: Misty (1961) plays every Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Butch Maier
