But the real star? The popcorn. It’s popped in coconut oil (trust the process), salted perfectly, and you can top it with real butter—not that yellow-dyed soybean oil stuff. Pair it with a Mexican Coke or a frozen coffee drink, and you are living your best life.
: In 2002, the theater was sold to the newly formed Tucson Cinema Foundation (now Loft Cinema, Inc.), operating as a member-supported non-profit ever since. Programming & Community Impact
: The Loft is famous for its long-running screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show , holding one of the longest runs for the film in America. loft cinema tucson arizona
The theater moved to its current location on Speedway Boulevard in . A pivotal moment occurred in 2002 when then-owner Joe Esposito sold the theater to the newly formed nonprofit Tucson Cinema Foundation (now Loft Cinema, Inc.), ensuring its survival through community support. In 2022, the theater celebrated its 50th anniversary , making it the longest continuously operating cinema in Tucson. Signature Programming and Annual Events
If you have lived in Tucson for any length of time, you know The Loft isn't just a place to watch a movie. It is a cultural institution, a date-night staple, and a refuge for the weird, the wonderful, and the cinephile. But the real star
Have a favorite memory at The Loft? Did you see a cult classic there for the first time? Let us know in the comments below!
The Loft Cinema is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a distinction that defines its soul. Unlike corporate theaters that program films based solely on opening-weekend projections and studio demands, The Loft programs based on community appetite and artistic merit. It is the place where Tucson goes to see the films that everyone else is ignoring. It is the home of the Oscar-nominated shorts, the foreign language films that never reach the suburbs, and the edgy indie horror that mainstream distributors fear. In doing so, The Loft does not just show movies; it curates an education. It has exposed generations of Tucsonans to cinema they would otherwise never encounter, effectively serving as an extension of the liberal arts education offered just down the road at the University of Arizona. Pair it with a Mexican Coke or a
Check their website for showtimes, arrive early to find parking (it’s a popular spot), and bring cash for the concession line if you want to be quick (though they take cards now too).