For the sixth installment of #ThursdayNightThrills, The Fright Zone presents the 1991 slasher gem POPCORN. 🍿🔪 Join us on Thursday, May 21 at 10pm + commemorative koozies for the first 50 attendees and a raffle for a copy of the film on Blu-Ray! Tickets at: varsitydesmoines.com/showtimes/po...

Made on a budget of $22,000, Wayne Wang's CHAN IS MISSING is a testament to independent filmmaking. Join us on May 19 for the next film in our Declarations of Independence series, celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary with early works from indie filmmakers. 🎟️ varsitydesmoines.com/movies/chan-...

Our high school film club slayed the runway (aka the Varsity Cinema aisles) to share their thoughts on THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2! 👠 Stay in the loop for future #HighSchoolFilmClub screenings (free with student ID!) by signing up for our mailing list: forms.gle/eyjPk11vsotF...

Opening May 15: STEAL THIS STORY, PLEASE! Investigative journalist Amy Goodman takes on soldiers, politicians, and corporate media in a fearless pursuit of truth. From the frontlines of global conflicts to her daily news show "Democracy Now!," Goodman shares stories silenced by mainstream media.

Happy Mother’s Day weekend! Pop in on Sunday at 1pm or Wednesday at 7pm for FRIED GREEN TOMATOES. ❤️ Tickets at: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/fried...

Join us on Saturday, May 16 for a special screening of 40 YEARS OF F*CKIN' UP: A Film by NOFX. Fresh off its premiere, we are proud to be among the very first to play this theatrical-only documentary which will never go to streaming! Get tickets at: afilmbynofx.ticketspice.com/des-moines-i...

Chic and sharp. 👠 Have you seen THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 yet? Now playing, only in theaters. Tickets & showtimes: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/the-d... #TheDevilWearsPrada2 #tdwp2 #nowplaying

Celebrate the mother figures in your life with FRIED GREEN TOMATOES – playing Mother’s Day and Wednesday, May 13. 🍅💚 The film returns for its 35th anniversary with a new introduction offering insight into its legacy, production, and lasting cultural impact. 🎟️: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/fried...

The biggest holiday in the galaxy is almost here! Celebrate Star Wars Day with our Movie Bash screening of ROGUE ONE on Monday, May 4th at 7pm. 🌌 varsitydesmoines.com/movies/rogue...

Thank you to all who came out to PRINCESS DIARIES this week! And thank you to Ballet Des Moines for presenting the film, having dancers in the lobby, and handing out tiaras to the little princesses in the audience. 👑 Need more Anne Hathaway? THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 and MOTHER MARY are now playing!

Get all dressed up for the most fashionable movie event of the year. Now playing: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2. Tickets & showtimes: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/the-d...

This Saturday at 12pm, EUGENE ONEGIN plays for The Met: Live in HD! Presented in partnership with the Des Moines Metro Opera. A representative from DMMO will be present 30 minutes before the screening to share background and answer questions. Tickets at: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/the-m...

It’s Anne Hathaway’s world and we’re just living in it. Happy Hatha-week to all who celebrate! 🎤 Now playing: MOTHER MARY 👑 Tuesday, April 28: THE PRINCESS DIARIES with Ballet Des Moines 👠 Opening Thursday, April 30: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2

One week until #StarWarsDay! Celebrate with a special screening of ROGUE ONE on May 4 at 7pm. Before the movie, be sure to say hello to some of your favorite Star Wars characters in the lobby with cosplayers from the Hawkbat Garrison - 501st Legion. 🎟️ Tickets: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/rogue...

Mother’s Day came early. MOTHER MARY is now playing! 🎤  This psychological thriller from A24 blends pop and horror in the story of iconic musician Mother Mary (Anne Hathaway) and her strange relationship with a fashion designer (Michaela Coel). 🎟️ varsitydesmoines.com/movies/mothe...

JUST ANNOUNCED! Your fashion favorites are back for THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 – opening Thursday, April 30 at the Varsity. 👠 Opening showtimes & tickets at: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/the-d...

Critics and audiences are devouring Steven Soderbergh’s THE CHRISTOPHERS – now playing! “I have rarely enjoyed watching two actors’ rapport the way I loved watching McKellen and Coel.” – The NYT “May be the best work of McKellen’s career.” – The Boston Globe “A masterclass in technique.” – NPR

Star Wars Day is on the horizon! Make your May 4th an unforgettable night at the movies with ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY ✨ Audience interaction is encouraged! Dress up, quote your favorite lines, and celebrate all things Star Wars with us on May 4. Tickets at: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/rogue...

Celebrate the holidaze with us at our 4/20 🍔 HAROLD & KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE 🍔 Movie Bash! Monday at 7pm. Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) get stoned, become bewitched by a White Castle commercial, and embark on a journey to find their beloved sliders. varsitydesmoines.com/movies/harol...

Stop into the Loft Auditorium this Saturday starting at 1 pm and enjoy a rolling program of short films — FREE of charge! Come and go at any point during the program. The Des Moines Latino Film Festival is presented by Latino Center of Iowa and Des Moines Film.

We can't wait to kick off our newly expanded education programs this summer! We're now seeking creative, film loving volunteers to join us for Summer Camp 2026. Ages 14-18 can apply to volunteer as Camp Counselors and ages 18+ can apply for Teaching Assistant. varsitydesmoines.com/community/vo...

Fresh off its Sundance premiere, the documentary AMERICAN PACHUCHO plays this Saturday at 4:15pm for the #DesMoinesLatinoFilmFestival! Against political resistance and industry skepticism, Luis Valdez pushes Chicano storytelling from the fields to film screens. varsitydesmoines.com/showtimes/am...

Join us on Sat., April 11 for the #DesMoinesLatinoFilmFestival! Playing at 1 PM: the critically acclaimed, award-winning Colombian film, A POET, where an aging poet finds new purpose as a mentor. Tickets: varsitydesmoines.com/showtimes/a-... Presented by Latino Center of Iowa and Des Moines Film

THE DRAMA is now playing! Discover the dark secret one bride-to-be has been holding from her fiancé that changes everything. Starring Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim and more — from A24 and writer-director Kristoffer Borgli. Tickets & showtimes at: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/the-d...

Check out these awesome reviews from our first #HighSchoolFilmClub screening! Students got to see PROJECT HAIL MARY for free then gathered to share their thoughts and dive deeper into the film. Want to be in the know about our next screening? Sign up for our mailing list! forms.gle/BU14xcp3h7Zt...

You’re cordially invited to THE DRAMA, opening next weekend! 💐 Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star as a happily engaged couple who are put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails. Opening April 3.

📣 We’re kicking off our High School Film Club with #ProjectHailMary this Saturday! High school students get in FREE with a valid student ID. After the film, we’ll gather in the theater to share impressions and dive deeper into filmmaking. Learn more and RSVP: varsitydesmoines.com/education/hi...

Not just a movie, but a call to action — THE AI DOC: OR HOW I BECAME AN APOCALOPTIMIST opens this Friday, March 27. Tickets on sale now: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/the-a...

PROJECT HAIL MARY is a generational moment in moviegoing — come see it at your favorite local nonprofit art house cinema. Now playing. ✨ 🎟️ varsitydesmoines.com/movies/proje... #ProjectHailMary

Elvis hasn’t left the (Varsity) building yet. We’ve added more screenings of Baz Luhrmann's EPiC: ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT for this weekend & next week! 🕺🏻 Tickets & showtimes at: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/epic/...

If you're in Des Moines, come out to the Varsity Cinema @thevarsitydsm.bsky.social on March 25th for a special screening of "Project Hail Mary" as part of our Science on Screen program. NASA Solar System Ambassador Dan Hoy will be there giving a pre-show talk. varsitydesmoines.com/showtimes/sc...

We’re just one week away from our next Midnights@10 with The Fright Zone! Join us on Thursday, March 26 at 10pm for a screening of PIECES plus giveaways and a raffle. 🤘 Tickets at: varsitydesmoines.com/showtimes/pi...

PROJECT HAIL MARY opens this Thursday, March 19! "Gosling can actually sell us on an everyman thrust into extraordinary circumstances while still beguiling us with old-school snap, crackle, and pop." — Rolling Stone Showtimes & tickets: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/proje...

That’s a wrap on A Red Carpet Affair 2026. 🎬 Thank you to all who came out for a night full of food, fun, fashion and — of course — film! We love seeing cinema bring our community together, and appreciate everyone who chose to celebrate with us at Varsity Cinema. 📸: Dan Welk at Click! Photography

We are closed today, Monday, March 16, to let our staff recover from another amazing Oscar night. See you tomorrow and Happy Movie New Year!

Elvis has entered the building. EPiC is now playing! You have three chances to catch Baz Luhrmann's documentary of newfound Elvis footage: Fri., 3/13 at 7:15pm, Sun., 3/15 at 1pm, and Tues., 3/17 at 7:15pm. Playing as part of our One Night Only series, in partnership with First Fleet Concerts.

Come celebrate the late, great Catherine O'Hara on March 31 at our next Movie Bash: BEST IN SHOW ❤️ Audience interaction, such as call and response, loud laughter, quoting iconic lines, etc., throughout the film is encouraged! Tickets at: varsitydesmoines.com/showtimes/mo...

The Met: Live in HD is back on March 21 with TRISTAN UND ISOLDE, presented with the Des Moines Metro Opera The electrifying Lise Davidsen plays the Irish princess Isolde in Wagner’s transcendent meditation on love and death. Tickets at: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/the-m...

#ScienceOnScreen returns for one of the year’s biggest films! Join us on Wednesday, March 25 for #ProjectHailMary + pre-show presentation from NASA Solar System Ambassador Dan Hoy, about space travel, the science of stars, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life in our galaxy. 🎟️ bit.ly/4loEqDK

Our next Filmmaker in Person event is coming up! Join us on March 18 for Jason Biggs’ UNTITLED HOME INVASION ROMANCE, about an actor’s attempt to save his failing marriage by staging a home invasion. Following the show: a Q&A with screenwriter and Des Moines local Josh Johnson! 🎟️ bit.ly/4sss13R

Kink friends and Pillion @thevarsitydsm.bsky.social

Dark. Twisted. Beautiful. #TheBrideMovie opens this Thursday! Get tickets: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/the-b...

The big night is TWO WEEKS AWAY! Start planning your look now, whether that’s a top hat & bowtie or donning your favorite character costume like last year’s Nosferatu. Comfy clothes welcome too! See you on the red carpet. 💃 🎟️ Red Carpet Affair: bit.ly/4qXdc8a Photo Credit to Mary Elle Photography

Introducing the 2026 Oscar Nominated Live Action Shorts! Opening Saturday, February 28. Tickets & showtimes: bit.ly/4sk8tPe 🔪 “Butcher's Stain” (26 min.) ⚽️ “A Friend of Dorothy” (21 min.) 🩸 “Jane Austen's Period Drama” (12 min.) 🎶 “The Singers” (18 min.) 💋 “Two People Exchanging Saliva” (36 min.)

We’re looking for a part-time shift lead to join our team! Send us an email to learn more and apply. 🍿

Introducing the 2026 Oscar Nominated Documentary Shorts! Opening Friday, February 27. Tickets at: bit.ly/3P5owSr 🎥 All the Empty Rooms 🎥 Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud 🎥 Children No More: ‘Were and Are Gone’ 🎥 The Devil is Busy 🎥 Perfectly a Strangeness

Opening, March 5: Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Frankenstein reimagining #TheBride stars Jessie Buckley as The Bride, who has been created as a companion for Frank (Christian Bale), sparking romance and radical social change. ⚡️ Tickets & Showtimes for Opening Weekend: bit.ly/3N3xwXK #TheBrideMovie

Introducing the Animated 2026 Oscar Shorts! Opening Friday, Feb. 27. 🏊 “Butterfly” (France, 15 min.) 🐻 “Forevergreen” (USA, 13 min.) 💧 “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” (Canada, 17 min.) 👴🏻 “Retirement Plan” (Ireland, 7 min.) 🏝️ “The Three Sisters” (Israel, 14 min.) Tickets & showtimes: bit.ly/4u0Lcna

Early Bird Pricing for our Summer Camps & Seminars ends March 1! Grades 4-5: Travel the world through movies 🌎 Grades 6-12: Get hands-on stop motion animation experience ⏯️ Grades 9-12: Explore the hero’s journey and the female perspective on film 🎥 Sign up at: varsitydesmoines.com/education/?u...

Opening Friday: PILLION 🏍️ Alexander Skarsgård stars as the enigmatic biker Ray who takes in Colin (Harry Melling), a timid gay man, as his submissive in a wild, erotic BDSM-focused relationship. Tickets & showtimes: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/pilli...