Charleston Movie Theaters and Cinemas

If you are interested in finding movie theaters in Charleston South Carolina, our Movie Theater Directory is the place to begin your search.

The American Theater

Opened in 1942 as one of Charleston’s premiere movie houses, The American Theater was named in honor of America’s servicemen and women. The original theater incorporated Art-Deco inspired architecture, seating for 900, Simplex projectors and RCA sound equipment. Only five years later, a 200-seat and stage expansion was required to fulfill the customer demands.

By the 1960s however, the theater’s popularity declined due to economic and social changes, including the birth of the television age. Though it was one of the last-standing movie theaters in Charleston, The American Theater eventually closed down in 1977. The building remained vacant and abandoned for almost 20 years, while the neighborhood around it also declined.

Revisited, Restored and Revitalized

True to their preservationist vision, the Patricks viewed the Theater as an important community-building opportunity and bought it in 1997. After an exhausting renovation by Glenn Keyes Architects, The American reopened in 2003 as a state-of-the-art meeting and conference facility.

The group at Glenn Keyes Architects completed its architectural magic this summer, converting The American Theater’s concession area and back theater into 2,300 square feet of elegant and glamorous ballroom space.

A 9 x 12 screen with ceiling mounted projector, state-of-the-art AMX A/V system, numerous handheld, lapel and headset microphones and a 340-square-foot stage for presentations/performances make the American Theater Grand Ballroom an incomparable setting for an assortment of glamorous celebrations.

Marvelous details embrace two, handmade milk glass chandeliers, a warm, stylish Art-Deco palette and an Executive Business Center.

Over the course of its history, The American Theater has hosted a selection of private, charity and corporate events, including The Charleston Stage Company, Theater 99 and Spoleto Festival USA.