I love Tower Theater so much! It is one of my favorite places to look at and visit when in Calle Ocho. If you're thinking about going there you can plan a Calle Ocho date. Have some lunch/dinner nearby and then watch a movie there while eating some ice cream for dessert from Azúcar (located right in front of the theater) or you cold even pick up some snacks and wine at the concession stand if you're into that kind of thing. You really cannot go wrong here! Here's a tip: Since they only have 2 rooms and limited show times I'd recommend you search which movies they have available first and when they'll be playing them before spontaneously going, just in case. The latest movie I saw was Minari and I thoroughly enjoyed it, as per usual. read more

Tower Theater Miami - Cinema Near Me - Miami, Florida

You could say this building is a Tower-De-Force, and I could spend an hour at the tower, as they say. Or several. And I did. This kind of spectacular theater me really makes a city come to life with the old early 20th century look, the cute typical old style facade, and the Tower Theater is no different to many others you've seen, adding so much class and quaint gorgeousness to this area - and I can't help but think it's one of the most crucial pieces of architecture here. Prices for events aren't too high and I'd love to play here someday. read more

Tower Theater Miami - Tower de force - Cinema Near Me - Miami, Florida

I went to the theater last week for the first time. It was for a showing that featured a Q&A with the director. I really enjoyed my experience. It was a beautiful theater, inside and out. Very clean, staff was nice. Drinks are reasonably priced. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Tower Theater Miami - Cinema Near Me - Miami, Florida

See all

Such an iconic theatre in the heart of Little Havana. This theatre has such history, and it's beautiful that the staff has maintained its look for so many years! I've attended events and screenings here, mostly for the Miami Film Festival. The theatre has two rooms inside, one concession stand, and a small seating area. Staff has always been kind and helpful when needing film information. A normal day in Calle Ocho for any tourist or local should include watching a film at this theatre. read more

Tower Theater Miami - Outdoor of the venue is beautiful, with an old-style marquee that lights up Little Havana at night. - Cinema Near Me - Miami, Florida

Huge fan of this 1926 theater now run by Miami Dady College. We just saw a film from Miami Film Festival (film was forgettable, the theater is unforgettable). See anything you can here. This is a grand old matron of a theater, gussied up for the 21st Century. Inside it has a very modern seating and bathroom infrastructure. Outside it has amazingly cool 1920s architecture. As an added bonus, it's right in the heart of Calle Ocho / 8th Street in Little Havana. You can go dancing right across the street at Ball and Chain or get dinner at any number of excellent Cuban restaurants in the area. read more

Learned about this theater while looking for somewhere to relax in Miami. Managed and owned by Miami Dade College, this two screen theater specializes in showing independent films which are rarely shown in big chain establishments. Medium popcorn is available but no butter was present. Coke in a can from the concession stand adds to the little touches that make this a memorable experience. After the movie, walk outside to the many restaurants in Little Havana. Very nice and clean theater to view movies you probably wont see anywhere else. Highly recommended. read more

See all

This is the best theater in South Florida to watch foreign and independent movies. It is located on 8th street across the Azúcar ice cream store and next to the Dominoes park. The theater offers the most varied selection of foreign films and it serves as one of the screening venues for several events such as the Miami International Film Festival. The concession stand inside the theater offers a varied selection of drinks and snacks such as popcorn, guava bars, planters, different types of coffee and sodas. The only issue is parking which is very limited and hard to find. I recommend the theater to all movie enthusiasts, I've truly enjoyed the films shown here. read more

See all

I've always been curious about the Tower Theater and was excited to see it pop up as an option with MoviePass. They show a variety of movies, but definitely on the indie side of things, including Spanish flicks... I finally ventured to Little Havana to see a recent showing of RBG. We easily found an amazing parking spot right on Calle Ocho, but I'd definitely pad your venture with time to find parking. Outside the theater is an old school box office, just like you see in the movies (it opened in 1926, after all). There are only two theaters, so getting a ticket was a pretty quick process. There is one concession stand that sells a variety of snacks and drinks at a very reasonable price point. No markups like you'll find in the bigger theaters here! And there's a Cuban flair to some of the items, so if it's a cortadito or mariquitas you crave, you can find that. The theater itself is rather small, so don't expect stadium seating here. That being said, it was just fine for our showing. Do bring a jacket if you're one to get chilly. I really enjoyed our experience at the Tower Theater and would be happy to come back! It's also the closest movie theater on MoviePass for those that may live in Brickell, so I'm hoping more people can get out and support this unique institution. read more

My first time there. Loved it. Lots of charm. Easy accessible. Calle Ocho around it so lots of snack food before. I bought croquettas. Inside also a snack shop with MDC delicacies try it! Movie theater was pretty empty. And I was happy there were subtitles! read more

Tower Theater Miami - Theater room 2 - Cinema Near Me - Miami, Florida

A tiny 1926 Art Deco gem in the middle of the Arts District of historic Little Havana neighborhood. 2 screens showing Great Foreign (mostly South American) films. If you're trying to catch that current Foreign Oscar nod., try Tower Theater. I've driven by the place a few times and finally got the check it a few years back for the screening of "White Elephant" - What is There to Save? A film about the forgotten Miami/ Bobby Maduro Stadium (demolished 2001). It was located just west of I-95 in Allapattah (2301 NW 10th Ave). The stadium had one of the sickest Cantilevers circa 1949. It's history not only includes South Florida's first Minor League teams but was also the Spring home to the Baltimore Orioles (30+ years). Cuban revolution (yes, you read me right), and Civil Rights unrest. The Point is,... Tower Theater gave me the opportunity to catch this documentary on Miami history. Helping me to recognize, grasp & truly begin to understand a little more about this city. My city. My home. Tickets are $6.00,. $5 if w/ student ID. Best deal is to get the 5 for $20 special. 5 single entries to future showings. They hole punch your purchase receipt so do not throw away. Parking always free in back and street after 1800. read more

See all

Sorry to start off with a cliche, but *Do not judge this book by its coveR*. Despite the crappy marquee, the beat up paint job on the facade, the lack of LCD screens with the showtimes and the somewhat questionable location, Tower Theater is one of the best movie theaters in Miami. Once you purchase your tickets at the ticket booth, not box office, and you leave behind the Caribbean rhythms playing by street bands and performers that populate Eight Street, you enter a calm oasis of white walls and vintage posters once used to promote film classics. The theater must have been remodeled very recently because everything looks brand new, starting with the rugs. The setup is very simple. Before you enter the cinemas, there is a very small concession stand catering to candy addicts, with chocolates and candy galore. Coffee is sold from a very modern looking coffee contraption, as well as popcorn, and canned sodas. They have your health in mind, clearly. There are two screening rooms at this theater, one that is very large, sits around 251 people, is handicap enabled, has very good sound system, and has a very large screen, just like any other movie theater in Miami. The seats are regular theater seats but don't recline, they are comfortable and clean and have cupholders. The second room is a smaller room, sits around 101 people, also handicap friendly but has a smaller screen. The seating is the same. Restrooms are located upstairs, clean and newly furnished as well. But that is just the preamble of what Tower Theater is. At this theater you will catch up on many foreign films from real indie film houses, not those owned by Sony or Columbia, movies that are too shocking to be shown at regular theaters, movies that may be too boring for an average audience, and revived classics that movie buffs longed to see on a silver screen rather than a TV screen because size matters. Also, Tower Theater participates in film festivals. That allows this theater a flow of movies and documentaries that are not available anywhere else in the area, let alone the whole country. And if that was not enough, this movie house offers a membership deal that will save you 40% off your ticket price, regardless of the time of the showing. Currently, that puts ticket prices at $6 for adults, the cheapest entertainment anywhere in the city. And what do you get in return: exclusivity, education, enlightenment, and satisfaction. So come to Tower Theaters. The staff is very friendly, you will not feel robbed at the concessions, the rooms are nice and clean, and you will help support not only a very nice theater but also independent film makers, actors and artists, and above all, the Arts in South Florida. read more

Tower Theater is an interesting little art house type of cinema theater in Miami. It caters mostly to intellectual crowds, offering independent and cultural films, many of which are foreign and/or award-winning. You probably will not find Hollywood's latest blockbuster. It is known as one of Miami's oldest cultural landmarks, dating back to 1926. Back then, it was the finest state-of-the-art theater in the South. Built in the Art Deco style, it features an old-school ticket counter, and no kiosks for self-checkout. It was remodeled in 2002 and is clean and well-maintained. There are two screening rooms for movies and not too many seats, bathrooms are upstairs (you can take an elevator), and they also sell concessions on the ground floor. I am not sure of the prices of the concessions, but movie tickets cost $11.50, which is the same price as most large movie theaters, like the kind you'd find in a mall. The audience seems to be older. My friend and I came here to watch "Remember" a Canadian suspense film starring Christopher Plummer and it was great. I did not find any other movie theater in Miami that was playing it! One of the reviewers mentioned that they don't remind people to turn off cellphones -- well, they have addressed that problem, and very forcefully, with an ad featuring the judge scene from "Law Abiding Citizen" starring Jamie Foxx. The judge says she can talk on her cellphone because she is a judge and can do what she wants, and as soon as she answers her ringing cellphone, it explodes. The camera then pans to the ground, and we find her on the ground with a pool of blood around her head for having answered her phone. People laughed, clapped, cheered, got the message, and turned off their phones. The parking was our only issue in coming here, as the parking lot in the back was full, street parking is only available for 2 hours, and so we took our chance parking by a house within the neighborhood and walking. My friend was worried we'd get towed and although that did not happen, it kind of ruined our experience and my friend was on edge, worried, throughout the movie. read more

See all

This small theater packs a powerful punch for Miami's cultural scene. It is now run by Miami Dade College and offers daily programming there is a strong line-up of international and independent films. What's even better is that you won't have to fight for parking and that it's affordable. It is surrounded by its Little Havana neighborhood and you can expect to find small restaurants where you can enjoy dinner or drinks. The seats are comfortable and the place is small but even when it's packed it doesn't feel overwhelming. I've been to events here before and I know the lobby can quickly fill up. read more

Great theater experience. Went here on a Thursday with my husband to see Parallel Mothers. Loved the movie and had a great time overall. The concession stand has beer, wine, and champagne, which was a plus. Theatre has a small, community feel. We live around the corner and will definitely be coming back. read more

Top Five Reasons why Tower Theater rules: 1) They are different , indie films which exude quality instead of the Hollywood cookie-cutter cheap stupid films. 2)Little Havana, center of historic area...need I say more? Oh yea,a nd the domino tables add to the appeal. 3) Cheapest snacks by far!..dollar sodas and dollar candies (approx.) The end of the days of paying 25 dollars at a theater to eat popcorn and drink soda. 4)They show artsy fartsy films which arent usually played elsewhere so you will have an opportunity to see some really good flicks and last but not least 5) The little restaurants and stores all around thearea are so perfectly intertwined that it create the beginning for a really good night. You can eat at the susi bar next door, or opt for ice cream down the street, etc. Your in the center of it all..and it is just the perfect place to watch a movie and perouse around. read more

This place is so amazing there are no words! The films are extraordinary and the staff is so incredibly knowledgeable. They will fill you in before or after their films on little tidbits that make the viewing experience all the more enjoyable. Their concession stand is so damn cheap. A bottle of water will cost you $1. Yes, un peso mi amigo - Unlike the the armed Highway robbery of the major movie theatre chains. Once they start serving wine, they will be the epitome of perfection! read more

My favorite movie theater in Miami. Simple, straight forward, no frills. Great location, excellent selection of movies and tasty concessions. Tried my first alfajores here. No complaints! See you soon. read more

Tower Theater Miami - Café cortado con alfajor - Cinema Near Me - Miami, Florida

I am spoiled by theaters with recliners but otherwise this was a very good, if small, theater. Comfortable seats. Clean, modern interior, ample leg room with seats, and especially good for foreign films and premiers, such as GEMS film Festival and Miami International Film Festival. Supported by Miami Dade College. Visit! Support the arts and independent films! read more

See all

Last night we attended the launch of Chef Chris Valdez's Cookbook and it was awesome. The theater was prefect for the event, the food was excellent, and the program was inspiring. Great event read more

What a great experience. Love to go see a film that gives me entertainment . Some are on educational topics. It so nice to come to an old fashion movie house in a little piece of old Miami. Just going to this place is an education. Behind the theater is great parking. Cross the street and get a cold beverage..Cuba libre to cool the night or a nice ice cream. So fun .. read more

This is my favorite movie theater in all of Miami!! I get Oscar quality films year round for less than $10 a ticket. If you enjoy a good foreign or independent film, this is your place to go. Enjoy a nice pre-film drinks at Ball & Chain or CubaOcho Bar.. Have a nice dinner at Catharsis afterwards... Free parking next to the theater. Relatively safe area.. A bit dirty, but somewhat normal for Calle Ocho. Must go. They just recently renovated the place. Good picture quality and the audio is great. Clean bathrooms. And the concession stand is very very affordable. 5 minutes away from my home is also a plus!! read more

This place is a gem in little Havana. Their programming is impeccable, concessions are appetizing, and seats are comfy!

What a gem. I have lived in Miami most of my life and have driven by this theater numerous times but never came to see a movie here, until tonight. The classic entrance of this theater with one ticket both makes you feel that you were transported to the 1940s. The theater is nice and clean. The concessions are super cheap! $1 for a can of soda. $2.50 for pop-corn. $1-$2 for candy. They don't have much more than those basics but it is refreshing to pay normal prices for a change. The seats are typical classic movie theater seats. It's not stadium seating. Although the screen is high (at least in theater 2) so you need to look slightly up to watch the movie. There aren't many seats in the room, which gives it a cozy "watching a movie with friends" feeling. The theater is in a nice area of 8th street and is walking distance from several restaurants, art galleries, and an ice cream shop. They are owned by Miami-Dade College and mostly play Indie films, so you won't catch a summer blockbuster here. I will definitely come here again to watch another flick. read more

I've seen more than 5 different foreign films in there. It's a nice theater. Snacks are affordably priced at a discounted rate for students of MDC. The popcorn is good, but butter is not offered. There is also Candy for sale. It has nice seats. The venue is fine. In the early mid-twentieth century, the building had been built. Wolfson had it restored. Great place! If you would love to work there, sign up to be a volunteer at the Miami International Film Festival when it occurs in Miami and there are show times at Tower Theater. 5/12/2017 I love the Tower Theater, so I am in here, sick, hoping no one else comes. read more

I tried out this theater tonight thanks to the suggestion of yelp (love you guys!). I am so, so, so glad I did. I am a history nerd and I love going to places that have a lot of history and Tower Theater is right up my alley! It's a beautiful theater which opened in 1926 right on "Calle Ocho". As I sat in the theater I kept imagining all the hundreds of people that have sat in that exact seat throughout the years. It made me smile (nerd, I told you). They play Spanish language films as well as English language ones (some subtitled in Spanish). I will definitely be making many visits to Tower theater. It's not packed, it isn't filled with rude, noisy people and great movies for $6.00 - it just can't be beat! read more

First off: Go MDC! Ok... just needed to get my alumni pride out in the open. I went to this theater for the first time during the Miami Short Film Festival. I really enjoy the vibe. It was built in the 20s. Since it's located in the historic Calle Ocho in Little Havana, it was very popular in the 60s among recent Cuban immigrants who were introduced to American entertainment. It closed down in the 80s and MDC took management and reopened it in 2002. Enough with the history lesson. I just wanted to paint a picture for it's retro feel. The theater is not too big but it offers an escape from our mega mainstream cinemas. I'm always seeking Miami's gems and this is definitely one of them. I look forward to another visit so that I can catch some indie films for a great price...about $6!! read more

This movie theater just made Miami that much more bearable, strike that - enjoyable. Art house cinema selections, $5 tickets and $1 waters/$2 candies. And all of that in a 1926 historic movie house. Is this heaven? read more

Why oh why...is this the only art cinema in the area? Glad they always get movies worth watching on a big screen. And then some.

First time at Tower Theater was truly an exceptional experience. I was invited to watch a screening of the Dominican film Carpinteros and was very pleased with the overall experience. The theater itself is smaller than what you'll find at a typical chain theater, adding to the overall intimacy of the movies being played here. There is also a small snack counter that serves popcorn, candy, and booze! Not to mention the beer and wine prices are not inflated like other chain theaters. The facility is also very clean and it primarily seems to be geared towards foreign films and Q&A with directors. Definitely enjoyed the experience. read more

I had never been to the Tower Theater, and I'm glad my husband suggested we check it out. It reminded me a lot of the Angelika in New York, and the movie we watched was great, which obviously has nothing to do with the actual theater, but that always enhances the experience. I had some trouble getting tickets online, they don't take American Express and then I tried with my other card, and it said it wasn't connecting (or maybe I didn't have the funds, I don't know ;) Anyway, I called the lady to ask what I should do and she said I should be fine just getting the tickets before the show. It was like talking to a Cuban grandmother on the phone, where she tells you everything will work itself out. Sure enough it did, we got there about 20 minutes before the movie, found parking right in front, there was a small line outside, but they only open 30 minutes before the movie so this is why. The crowd was pretty much a ton of older women with circle hair and their iphones, it was cute. Expect some talking during your film, depending on what kind of film it will vary. We were watching one about Cuba, so there was a lot of commentary. The theater was much bigger than what I was expecting, I love that it lets you out next to the domino park, and across from Azucar, the ice cream shop. The whole experience is very unique to Miami. We will definitely be back. read more

Sometimes they show foreign or arthouse movies that the other art cinemas in Miami aren't showing. The seats are fairly comfortable, the tickets are fairly cheap. My one complaint: There are no signs asking the audience to please be quiet and avoid texting and talking on their cell phones, nor do they run a short little reminder to shut up and silence your cell phones! Not that this is going to completely shame people into being polite, but it might help?? And since MDC owns the theater, maybe they can rope some graphic design students into designing a little something for free? It's just kind of obnoxious to listen to people's cell phones go off or have your eye drawn away from the theater to someone's super bright blackberry that remains on and BRIGHT throughout the entire picture so they can text at will. Come on. Two hours without texting will kill you? I lied: I have another complaint. Why sell concessions in glass bottles if you don't recycle? That's just irresponsible. read more

Love love love this awesome vintage movie theater...it kind of takes me back to better days. Films here are Independent /International....so you know you can't go wrong. Nice staff and super cute snack shop. read more

Located on a heavy traffic street we were lucky to find parking fairly close and had to use the parking app. I am not sure if they have a private parking lot in the back or not. It was a little uncomfortable as there were questionable characters as we walked to the theater, however, it was interesting to see the plaques for the local stars on the sidewalk as we walked to the theater. We passed a local restaurant on the way there with an open door concept. The food smelled delicious and looked like authentic Cuban food. I saw rice, black beans and a palomilla steak on someone's plate and another plate with what looked like a fried snapper standing upright on the plate looking like it was ready to swim away if it only had not been fried to a crisp. As we were leaving the theater, a couple of hours later, there was live music at the restaurant and the entertainer was dressed in a funny entertaining bright outfit with Elton John looking glasses and he waived as we walked by. As for the theater it was very nice and had two floors with the restroom upstairs and a lecture platform in front of the movie screen to allow for guest speakers such as occurred in the movie we went to see. Movies for the Miami Film Festival are featured here. This is where is starts. Where future stars and producers get the big breaks that propel them on to bigger projects. This was different then your usual movie experience. The crowd was mature and intellectual; they had interesting questions for the speaker and made contributions of their own. The movie although not my favorite for the lack of creativity was thought provoking. Oh, I almost forgot, I bought a Perrier for 2 bucks, you can't beat the pricing or the fact that it's even a choice. I look forward to visiting again and perhaps even becoming a member. read more

Tower Theater Miami - A few feet from theater - Cinema Near Me - Miami, Florida

See all

This is the cat's pajamas of movies in the 305. Straight in the middle of calle ocho, you could totally never pay attention to this place. I didn't until I randomly noticed a film was listed there. The place is run by MDC, so publicly run non-profit theater. Tickets are 6$, 5$ with discounts for select people, and beverages/candy/popcorn super super cheap. Like you 6 it's the 1980s cheap. 1$, 2$. My goodness I didn't realize this existed in Miami (outside of non-miami enclaves like the beach ;) The theater consistently shows foreign and homegrown independent films. The selection changes rapidly, so check their website frequently. Local film festivals are also hosted here. It's a great small theater with 50s architecture. Nothing flashy, but that's what's so great. read more

I love this little gem! Believe it or not you are able to find free parking around so you get to your movie without the anxiety of the parking/possible ticket. The atmosphere is always cool, people that want to experiment a different kind of movies, beside other activities that take place there ( I went to a presentation of a book and it was really amazing) The prices are fairly affordable and the quality of the movies outstanding. I recommend The Tower and all the amenities that surround it, excellent Cuban coffee, nice restaurants and a very relax environment. read more

Cute theatre! Went for a movie premiere and was surprised to see such a great spot in town! I would definitely go again. Super clean. Easy to find. Street parking was easy to find on a Thursday night. And there are tons of places to grab dinner nearby. read more

This historic arthouse cinema in the heart of Calle Ocho is an awesome venue for checking out those films that don't get play in the big, chain theaters. The concessions are shockingly reasonably priced and carry items not normally found in such venues, like colada/cortaditos. The big downside is that the parking is quite difficult, being in the compact and congested Little Havana area and surrounded by residential areas. Whoever decorated the interior loves Fellini, as most of the posters gracing the walls of the lobby are the product of this filmmaker! Otherwise, it's a modest space, but with architectural touches from the 'movie palace' era. They have frequent special screenings, often with events and supplemental activities surrounding them and dignitaries attending. We've seen everything from Taiko drums played in the lobby to actor discussions of the social conditions of Mexico before and after the films. Finally, the theater itself, while not the modern stadium-style mega screens, is clean, comfy and the projection and sound system is of high quality. read more

I've been meaning to review Tower Theater for an age as it is such a splendid spot to catch a film. Its classic Art Deco facade harks back to the roaring '20s when it was the first of its kind of theater in the entire South. Today, it is one of Miami's leading cultural institutions. Located in the heart of Little Havana along famed Calle Ocho, it is in the midst of other well-known gems such as Ball & Chain and Azucar Ice Cream. A historic landmark, it has thrived under the guardianship of Miami Dade College since 2002. Tower Theater has been instrumental in bringing the delights of bustling Little Havana to both local and out-of-town cinephiles. It is the meeting point for the popular Little Havana tours conducted by local historian Dr. Paul George on Friday nights. Tower Theater plays a fine mix of independent and foreign-language films and is one of the host cinemas for the Miami Film Festival. It also presents cultural events and performances from time to time. When it premiered the Japanese film "Our Little Sister,'" a delegation from Miami's Japanese Consulate was in attendance to introduce the film along with Fushu Daiko who entertained the crowd with Japanese Taiko drumming. Not only is Tower Theater one of the best reasons to visit Little Havana, USA Today heralded it as one of the 10 great places to see a movie in splendor in their round-up of the best old-fashioned movie palaces! Parking is readily available in the lot next door or on the surrounding streets. The concession stand is modest, not untypical of independent theaters, but it has something tasty to satisfy everyone. The intimate lobby is a lovely gathering spot with several comfortable seating areas. The staff are always friendly, organized and helpful. read more

Tower Theater Miami - Fushu Daiko entertaining the crowd with Japanese Taiko drumming before the premiere of "Our Little Sister." - Cinema Near Me - Miami, Florida

This is probably the worst experience I've ever had at a movie theater, my first and LAST time coming here. I'd heard so many great things about this historic gem, and my friends and I wanted to go catch a movie on a Friday night -- Parasite, at 9:25pm -- we arrive at around 8:00 and buy our tickets before heading out to eat down the block. By the time we got back, it was 9:36 and a theater employee was locking the door. We asked why and if we could be let in, and they responded with "No, our policy states we close doors 10 minutes after the last showtime." We were absolutely shocked! No one had told us anything about that, and no other theater we've been to does that. After asking if they could just take our tickets and let us in, the person said no, due to policy, and promptly locked the door in our face. When we checked their website, the Tower Theater claims it closes doors 20 MINUTES after the last showtime (so 9:45!!!), giving us ample time to have entered and either making the employee or the website the liar. By the time we returned, there was no one there to listen to us argue for our right to watch the movie. It was $10 lost (student ticket), which, might not seem like a big deal, but as a student, those were my last $10. Absolutely furious that they were wasted, but I can promise you that they are the last $10 this terrible management team will ever get from me. read more

I have discovered so many great films thanks to Tower Theater. This is the prime spot for foreign films in Miami.