Nashville Movie Theaters

by John Coursey.

The local cinema is much more than a dark, cavernous hall in which moving images are projected onto a bright screen. It is a point of personal reference for romance, imagination, memories, and passage. Researcher John Coursey has compiled a comprehensive list of Nashville cinemas (excluding drive-ins), past and present. The listing below, which is not yet definitive, is the outcome of his research into current and archive media, including newspapers, industry periodicals, and city directories. Note: this article was written several years ago. If you have more recent information about movie theaters, past or present, feel free to leave us a note below, and we will be glad to make corrections.

Ace – 1123 Charlotte Ave., Nashville TN 37203; Dates on File: 1940-1964; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 431.

Alhambra – 216 5th Ave. N, Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1909-1927; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Belcourt (AKA Hillsboro) – 2102 Belcourt Ave., Nashville TN 37212; Dates on File: 1925-Present; Status: Live Performance & Film Exhibition; Screens: 3, Seating: 700.

Bell Forge Cinema 10 – 5400 Bell Forge Lane, Antioch TN 37013; Dates on File: 1983-Present; Status: Movies-1st Run; Screens: 10; Seating: 2668.

Bell Road Cinema 8 – 901 Bell Rd., Antioch TN 37013; Dates on File: 1996-Present; Status: Movies-1st Run; Screens: 8, Seating: 1318.

Belle Meade (AKA Belle Meade Cinerama) – 4305 Harding Rd., Nashville TN 37205; Dates on File: 1940-1990; Status: Mixed Commercial; Screens: 1; Seating: 800-1100.

Bellevue Cinema 12 – 7741 Highway 70 S, Nashville TN 37221; Dates on File: 1995-Present; Status: Movies-1st Run; Screens: 12; Seating: 2300.

Bellevue Cinema 8 – 120 Belle Forest Circle, Nashville TN 37221; Dates on File: 1981-Present; Status: Movies-1st Run; Screens: 8; Seating: 1200.

Belmont – 1700 21st Ave. S, Nashville TN 37212; Dates on File: 1921-1961; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 1350.

Bijou – 423 4th Ave. N, Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1916-1955; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Capitol – 531 Church St., Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1928-1930; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Capitol – 835 2nd Ave. S, Nashville TN 37210; Dates on File: 1930-1957; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 800.

Capri – 4050 Nolensville Rd., Nashville TN 37211; Dates on File: 1969-1989; Status: Demolished; Screens: 2; Seating: 680.

Center – 305 Thompson Ln., Nashville TN 37211; Dates on File: 1947-1955; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Central – 813 Monroe St., Nashville TN 37208; Dates on File: 1920-1930; Status: Closed; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Cinema North (AKA Cinema Four) – 703 Rivergate Pkwy., Goodlettsville TN 37072; Dates on File: 1976-2000; Status: Church; Screens: 6; Seating: 1480-1650.

Cinema South – 3760 Nolensville Rd., Nashville TN 37013; Dates on File: 1976-1998; Status: Demolished; Screens: 4; Seating: 1150.

Colonial – 837 2nd Ave. S, Nashville TN 37210; Dates on File: 1920-1925; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Courtyard Cinema 8 – 3445 Lebanon Rd., Hermitage TN 37076, Dates on File: 1988-2001; Status: Closed; Screens: 8, Seating: 1790. (now Full Moon Cineplex)

Crescent – 217 5th Ave. N, Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1921-Unknown; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Crystal – 233-236 5th Ave. N, Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1920-1928; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Dixie — 224 Church St., Nashville TN 37201; Dates on File: 1907-1964; Status: Closed/Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 980

Donelson – 2815 Lebanon Rd., Nashville TN 37214; Dates on File: 1950-1975; Status: Mixed Commercial; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Eclair – 722 4th Ave. S, Nashville TN 37210; Dates on File: 1921-1925; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Elite – 837 2nd Ave. S, Nashville TN 37210; Dates on File: 1920-1928; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Elite – 239 4th Ave. N, Nashville TN 37210; Dates on File: 1926-1930; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Elite – 233 5th Ave. N, Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1890-1930; Status: Retail; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Elite – 4710 Charlotte Ave., Nashville TN 37209; Dates on File: 1927-1955; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 824.

Elite – 813 Monroe St., Nashville TN 37208; Dates on File: 1928-1930; Status: Closed; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Fifth Avenue – 218 5th Ave. N, Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1909-1960; Status: Retail; Screens: 1; Seating: 741-1206.

Fountain Square Cinema 14 – 2298 Metrocenter Blvd., Nashville TN 37228; Dates on File: 1987-1999; Status: School; Screens: 14; Seating: 3152.

Full Moon Cineplex (formerly Courtyard) – 3445 Lebanon Rd., Hermitage TN 37076; Dates on File, 2016-present; Status: horror films Fri./Sat.; Screens: 2; Seating: Unknown.

Gem – 1003 1st Ave. S, Nashville TN 37210; Dates on File: 1945-1955; Status: Retail; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Green Hills – 4005 Hillsboro Rd., Nashville TN 37215; Dates on File: 1951-1978; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 840.

Green Hills Cinema 16 – 3815 Greenhills Village Dr., Nashville TN 37215; Dates on File: 1998-Present; Status: Movies-1st Run; Screens: 16; Seating: 3500.

Harding Place Cinema 6 (AKA El Cine/Barnabas Cinema) – 4030 Nolensville Rd., Nashville TN 37211; Dates on File: 1990-2003; Status: Demolished; Screens: 6, Seating: 1140.

Hermitage Cinema 4 – 4426 Lebanon Rd., Hermitage TN 37076, Dates on File: 1977-2002, Status: Demolished, Screens: 4, Seating: 1376.

Hickory Cinema 8 – 901 Bell Rd., Antioch TN 37013; Dates on File: 1996-Present; Status: Movies-1st Run; Screens: 8; Seating: 1318.

Hickory Hollow Cinema 3 – 5252 Hickory Hollow Pkwy., Antioch TN 37013; Dates on file: 1978-1996; Status: Demolished; Screens: 3; Seating, 926.

Hollywood Cinema 27 – 719 Thompson Ln., Nashville TN 37204; Dates on File: 1998-Present; Status: Movies-1st Run; Screens: 27, Seating: 5000.

IMAX (part of Opry Mills Cinema 20) – 570 Opry Mills Dr., Nashville TN 37214; Dates on File: 2000-Present; Status: Movies-1st Run; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Inglewood – 3407 Gallatin Rd., Nashville TN 37216; Dates on File: 1950-1978; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 1000.

Knickerbocker – 205-219 Capitol Blvd., Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1916-1961; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 1100.

Liberty – 417 5th Ave. S, Nashville TN 37203; Dates on File: 1920-1930; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Lincoln – 1013 12th Ave. S, Nashville TN 37203; Dates on File: 1935-1950; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Lincoln – 424 Cedar Dr., Nashville TN 37211; Dates on File: 1928-Unknown; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Lions Head Cinema 5 – 90 White Bridge Rd., Nashville TN 37205; Dates on File: 1980-1998; Status: Demolished; Screens: 5; Seating: 1425.

Madison – 403 Gallatin Rd. S, Madison TN 37115; Dates on File: 1938-1950; Status: Art Gallery; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Madison – 729 Gallatin Rd. (Rear), Madison TN 37115; Dates on File: 1969-1993; Status: Closed; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Martin – 719 Thompson Ln., Nashville TN 37204; Dates on File: 1966-1989; Status: Demolished; Screens: 2; Seating: Unknown.

Melrose – 2600 Franklin Rd., Nashville TN 37204; Dates on File: 1942-1983; Status: Mixed Commercial (now the Sinema Restaurant); Screens: 1; Seating: 1000.

Nipper Corners Cinema 10 – 15534 Old Hickory Blvd., Nashville TN 37211; Dates on File: 1992-2001; Status: Demolished; Screens: 10; Seating: 1775.

Old Hickory Cinema 16 – 109 Gallatin Rd. N, Madison TN 37115; Dates on File: 1994-2000; Status: Demolished; Screens: 16; Seating: 3430.

Opry Mills Cinema 20, Plus IMAX – 570 Opry Mills Dr., Nashville TN 37214; Dates on File: 2000-Present; Status: Movies-1st Run; Screens: 20; Seating: Unknown.

Orpheum – 210 7th Ave. N, Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1928-Unknown; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Paramount – 727 Church St., Nashville TN 37203; Dates on File: 1930-1978; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 2000.

Peafowl – 1120 4th Ave. N, Nashville TN 37208; Dates on File: 1915-1929; Status: Commercial; Screens: 1; Seating: 368.

Plaza (AKA Hillwood Plaza Cinema) – 6622 Charlotte Ave., Nashville TN 37209; Dates on File: 1971-1997; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 682.

Princess (AKA Cinerama, Crescent) – 415 Church St., Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1949-1982; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 1602.

Princess – 511 Church St., Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1917-1944; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 1500.

Rainbow – 307 Wilburn St., Nashville TN 37207; Dates on File: 1928-Unknown; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Rex – 214 5th Ave. N, Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1920-1950; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 400.

Rialto – 233-236 5th Ave. N, Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1908-1920; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Ritz – 1714 Jefferson St., Nashville TN 37208; Dates on File: 1929-1999; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 644.

Rivergate 800 – Rivergate Pkwy., Goodlettsville TN 37072; Dates on File: 1972-Present; Status: Movies-1st Run; Screens: 8; Seating: 2224.

Rivergate 3 & 4 (AKA Rivergate 9 & 10) – 840 Rivergate Pkwy., Goodlettsville TN 37072; Dates on File: 1973-1991; Status: Retail; Screens: 2; Seating: 526.

Roxy – 302 Wilburn St., Nashville TN 37207; Dates on File: 1940-1955; Status: Studio Audio/Visual; Screens: 1; Seating: 250.

Star – 314 Cedar Dr., Nashville TN 37211; Dates on File: 1920-1930; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

State – 803 Monroe St., Nashville TN 37208; Dates on File: 1940-1955; Status: Closed; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Strand – 235 5th Ave. N, Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1920-1930; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Tennessee – 527-539 Church St., Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1952-1979; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 2028.

Vendome – 615 Church St., Nashville TN 37219; Dates on File: 1887-1968; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 1200.

Welede – 4914 Charlotte Ave., Nashville TN 37209; Dates on File: 1900-1915; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: Unknown.

Woodbine – 827 Meridian St., Nashville TN 37207; Dates on File: 1950-1960; Status: Studio Audio/Visual; Screens: 1; Seating: 250.

Woodbine – 2511 Nolensville Rd., Nashville TN 37211; Dates on File: 1941-1955; Status: Demolished; Screens: 1; Seating: 740.

Woodland – 1011 Woodland St., Nashville TN 37206; Dates on File: 1924-1955; Status: Studio Audio/Visual; Screens: 1; Seating: 500.

Wynnsong Cinema 10 – 721 Myatt Dr., Madison TN 37115; Dates on File: 1996-Present; Status: Movies-1st Run; Screens: 10; Seating: 1610.