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

Hickory Hollow Cinema 3 5252 Hickory Hollow Pkwy Antioch TN 37013, Dates On File: 1978-1996, Status: Demolished, Screens: 3, Seating: 926.

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

Theaters pictured, from top:  Loews, Melrose, Princess, and Woodland.  All photographs used with permission of Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville.

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, 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. If readers note any errors or omissions, or if you have photographs of these theaters that you would be willing to share, please contact John Coursey at ejc4@bigfoot.com. 

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: 2, Seating: 410-750.

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 Pike 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 Pike 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 Pike Hermitage TN 37076, Dates On File: 1988-2001, Status: Closed, Screens: 8, Seating: 1790.

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 Pike 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 Pike 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.

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

Green Hills 4005 Hillsboro Pike 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 Pike Nashville TN 37211, Dates On File: 1990-2003, Status: Demolished, Screens: 6, Seating: 1140.

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

Hickory Cinema 8 901 Bell Rd Antich 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.

Inglewood 3407 Gallatin Pike 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 So 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 Ave S Madison TN 37115, Dates On File: 1938-1950, Status: Art Gallery, Screens: 1, Seating: Unknown.

Madison 729 Gallatin Pike (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: 1940-1983, Status: Mixed Commercial, 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 Pkwy 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 Pike 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 Pike 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.