Entry No. 54 — the Los Angeles file — filed under: after-dark
New Beverly Cinema Midnight Movies
One of the oldest revival houses in L.A., the New Bev has been running double features since 1978 and is now owned by Quentin Tarantino. Everything screens on film, 35mm or 16mm, often from Tarantino's own private print collection. The late-night and midnight slots lean into cult, horror, and grindhouse oddities, and the box office reopens about an hour before showtime to release a fresh batch of tickets for shows that look sold out.
The story
The building at 7165 Beverly Boulevard dates back to the 1920s, but its life as an LA revival cinema started in 1978 when it began screening continuous double features. When multiplexes across the country started throwing 35mm projectors into dumpsters in favor of digital hard drives, Quentin Tarantino bought the building to keep analog projection alive, eventually taking over full curation of the calendar. Today, every single title projected on the screen runs on actual film reels—35mm or 16mm—with a huge portion pulled straight from Tarantino’s private vault.
That strict reel-to-reel rule makes the late-night and midnight slots feel like a portal to a bygone cinematic underworld. You aren't watching a scrubbed, high-definition digital stream; you're watching real prints complete with reel-change cue marks, minor physical wear, vintage drive-in bumpers, and original 1970s trailers. The schedule changes constantly, filling the midnight hours with forgotten grindhouse cuts, obscure horror, and cult b-movies that rarely see a public screen.
What it's like
Inside, it is a modest, retro space packed with film lovers who respect the quiet room once the lights go down. Street parking along Beverly Boulevard and the surrounding residential blocks can be tight, so leave extra time to hunt down a spot. If a midnight show looks completely sold out online, you didn't hear it from us, but the box office reopens about an hour before showtime to drop a fresh batch of walk-up tickets directly to the line on the sidewalk.
The move: Grab a midnight cult screening on actual film, split concession-stand snacks, and argue about it on the sidewalk afterward.
📍 Before you go Programming changes constantly; check the calendar for actual midnight titles. Cash and card accepted; popular shows sell out but a new batch of tickets drops at the door about an hour before.
- 📍 Beverly Grove
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 7165 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Lucky Tiki — Buzz an intercom hidden inside a pickle barrel for a speakeasy cocktail before heading over for a midnight 35mm double feature.
- Good Times at Davey Wayne's — Keep the retro 1970s streak going after the movie by stepping through a garage refrigerator door into a vintage living room bar.
- Blipsy Bar — Trade vintage film projection for classic 1980s arcade cabinets and dive bar drinks just down the road in Koreatown.
Good to know
Do they really only show movies on physical film?
Yes. Every single movie, trailer, and short feature shown at the New Beverly is projected from 35mm or 16mm film prints.
How can I get tickets if a midnight show is sold out online?
The box office reopens about one hour before the screening starts to release a limited batch of tickets for walk-ups.
Who owns the cinema?
Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino owns the New Beverly Cinema and curates its programming, frequently screening prints from his personal collection.
What payment methods are accepted at the box office?
The New Beverly accepts both cash and cards at the door and concession stand.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: thenewbev.com · Wikipedia · revivalhouses.com · Yelp · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-23