The cost to rent a movie theater varies widely depending on the location, size, amenities, and type of event. Here are some typical price ranges and examples:

• Small private theater rentals (e.g., for birthday parties or small groups) generally cost between $75 to $400 per hour. For example, AMC charges $99+ for older movies and up to $349+ for new releases, accommodating up to 20 guests; Cinemark ranges $99 to $149 per hour; Alamo Drafthouse charges $163 plus a minimum $150 food and drink purchase for up to 30 people at some locations

• Mid-range rentals for larger or more upscale theaters can be around $250 to $300 per hour, often with a minimum rental of 2 hours, seating from 70 to 550 guests, and high-end audio-visual equipment

• Community or smaller theaters like the Cary Theater offer rentals starting at $75 per hour for residents plus movie rights fees, or $400 for a 5-hour minimum rental, with additional hourly fees for longer events

• Performance or event-focused theaters can have significantly higher rates. For example, the Savoy Theatre charges a minimum of $1,600 for non-performance uses like meetings or receptions, or a minimum of $1,000 to $1,500 for performances up to 8 hours, plus additional fees for staffing, equipment, and cleaning

• Large professional venues like the Granada Theatre charge base facility fees of $5,100 to $7,200 depending on day of week, plus cleaning, staffing, equipment rental, and other fees. Equipment rentals (e.g., video projection) can add several hundred dollars per day

Summary:

Rental Type| Typical Cost Range| Notes
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Small private theater| $75 - $400 per hour| For small groups, birthday parties, etc.
Mid-size modern theaters| $250 - $300 per hour| Seating 70-550, high-end AV, 2-hour minimum
Community theaters (e.g., Cary)| $75/hr + movie rights or $400/5 hrs| Resident discounts, additional hourly fees
Performance/event theaters| $1,000 - $1,600+ per event/day| Includes staffing, equipment, cleaning fees
Large professional venues| $5,100 - $7,200 base + extras| High-end facilities, multiple fees apply

The cost depends heavily on your location, the theater's size and amenities, the day/time of rental, and additional services like staffing, cleaning, and equipment

. For small private events, expect roughly $100 to $400 per hour. For larger or professional events, costs can escalate to thousands of dollars per day. Sharing costs among attendees can make private theater rentals more affordable on a per-person basis