With national box office sales struggling to return to pre-pandemic highs, Ciné continues to serve as a cultural beacon for the Athens community.
Just last year, Beechwood Cinemas permanently closed after serving Athens movie-goers since its opening in 1962.
But Athens’ only arthouse theatre, Ciné, is still thriving in the heart of downtown.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced Americans to stream movies from home, a habit that has remained one of the most prevalent ways people consume media today.
A survey published in 2025 by the Octane Seating company found that 63% of Americans watch movies at home either daily or multiple times a week, compared to just 1% who choose to always go to a theatre and rarely watch movies from home.
So what has kept Ciné afloat for the last 17 years?
Since its opening in 2007, Ciné has dedicated its space to creating a welcoming and diverse environment for Athens citizens. Regularly hosting events including live music, art shows and even Goth Nights, Ciné thrives on being more than just a movie theatre.
“We’ve always been first and foremost a community center for the arts,” Ciné employee Jack Methe said. “You know, we strive to provide an environment that’s welcoming to everybody that lives in this town and anybody visiting.”
Athens is historically known as a football and music town, but this year marks the second annual Athens Film Festival that celebrates local and international artists. Chuck Griffin, executive director for the Athens Film Festival, mentions having Ciné serve as a host venue for the festival is essential thanks to their state-of-the-art projector system.
“It just would not be the same without Ciné,” Griffin said.
However, both Ciné and the film festival rely heavily on support from the community. Griffin said the secret is not just that the city offers something for everyone, but that everyone in the city is willing to support the arts — no matter the medium.
It’s always been an audience town,” Griffin said.
He noted that while the city has produced legendary venues, bands and artists, its cultural strength is sustained by a communal dedication to local arts.
Despite Ciné’s wide range of live events and community initiatives, it is still navigating the challenges of operating as a movie theater in the post-pandemic United States, where box office sales continue to struggle. Octane Seating’s survey found that one in four Americans would rather stream a new release at home than go to a theatre.
“The industry is definitely changing with the advent of streaming,” Methe said, referencing the modern difficulties theaters face. He added that the pandemic got people accustomed to at-home entertainment habits that have been hard to break.
Ciné recently launched a three-year capital campaign called “Bridge the Gap” in an effort to offset rising operational costs, new equipment and future remodeling efforts.
“I don’t think cinemas should be counted out just yet,” Methe said.
Gideon Tanner is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Georgia.
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