CHICAGO — Times have been tough for movie exhibitors thanks to the one-two punch of streaming and a pandemic, but Chicago’s Music Box Theatre is going strong regardless. The historic art house cinema on Tuesday announced the addition of a new 100-seat third screen at its Southport Avenue location, as well as the purchase of another historic venue in the Midwest with the Heights Theater in Minneapolis.

Locally, the new theater space is being carved out of two adjacent storefronts, paid for by the Music Box’s owners as well as a community development grant from the City of Chicago. The additional venue will create more flexibility for festivals, extended runs and filmmaker events. The space is expected to open in summer 2026 and it comes on the heels of some improvements made to the existing theaters last year, with the installation of new, more comfortable seating.

In Minneapolis, the Heights Theater is a “renowned 1926 atmospheric movie palace featuring original plasterwork, crystal chandeliers, and its signature Mighty Wurlitzer organ,” according to a statement. Its programming history has much in common with that of the Music Box — with first-run showings alongside older films, as well as the ability to screen 70mm prints — so both the historic nature of the venue and its focus will be familiar territory for the new owners. The theater will close briefly after its annual New Year’s Day screening of “Holiday Inn” and reopen Jan. 9 with “Father Mother Sister Brother,” the new comedy from director Jim Jarmusch starring Cate Blanchett.

Per the announcement, the Music Box intends to maintain annual traditions including its “White Christmas” screenings, its Celebration of Cinema festival, a film noir series and an Alfred Hitchcock series, while adding some new programming: Late-night screenings on the weekend and Saturday morning cinema geared towards kids.

“The Heights has always been about celebrating great films with great people,” said Tom Letness, outgoing owner. “I’m thrilled to pass it on to Music Box Theatre, whose passion for cinema and commitment to presentation match what I’ve built here.”

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