Five screens in the former Waverly Theatre on Sixth Avenue, programming new independent and foreign films alongside midnight screenings, weekend matinee series, and the kind of repertory programming that treats the history of cinema as ongoing rather than finished. The IFC Center fills the role between Film Forum's non-profit purity and mainstream arthouse chains — commercially sustainable, editorially independent, and reliably interesting. The midnight series (cult films, horror, oddities) has become a New York institution.
Location
West Village, New York
Map
Insider Intel
The midnight screenings are a New York experience — cult films, sing-alongs, and the particular energy of an audience that chose to watch a movie at midnight on a Friday. The daytime programme leans toward new international releases and American independents. The weekend matinee series revives classics. Screen 1 (the original Waverly auditorium) is the best room.
Friday or Saturday midnight screenings for the cult-film atmosphere. Weekday early evening for new releases with available seats. Weekend matinee series for repertory classics. The West Village location makes it easy to combine with dinner.
The Waverly Theatre opened in 1937; IFC took over in 2005 and renovated while preserving the main auditorium. IFC stands for Independent Film Channel — the cinema is affiliated with the cable network. Five screens range from the main auditorium (200+ seats) to small screening rooms. Standard New York arthouse ticket prices. The West Village location is central — subway at W 4th St (A/C/E/B/D/F/M). One of the reliable anchors of New York's independent cinema ecosystem.