The Orpheum Theater opened in 1916 as Chatham’s first and only movie house.  Our Main Street movie theater was a magical place for 72 years — a year-round destination where generations of Chatham families and summer visitors could enjoy gripping dramas, slapstick comedies, joyous musicals or swashbuckling adventure films week after week.  In 1938, the building was purchased by Interstate Theaters Corporation and was known as the Chatham Theater until 1987, when it ceased operations.

The entire town mourned the loss of this iconic Main Street treasure, but the tradition was never forgotten.  Now it’s back, better than ever!

The return of the Chatham Orpheum Theater began in November 2011, when a grass roots movement formed a non-profit organization to buy the historic building at 637 Main Street in April 2012 and restore it as a state-of-the-art two-screen cinema featuring an attendant café in 2013. Led by president Naomi M. Turner and a local team of volunteer professionals, Chatham Orpheum Theater, Inc. has raised more than $3.6 Million in donations from individual citizens and private foundations, plus major grants from the Town of Chatham and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

The Chatham Orpheum Theater opened to the public as a non-profit cinema on July 26, 2013 … bringing movies back to Main Street in the most state-of-the-art movie theater on Cape Cod.

Every facet of this jewel box movie house and cultural center is unique, affordable, and community driven. The Orpheum is a quality cinema with two screens with 3-D capability, 6.1 SurroundSound© audio, and extremely comfortable seats with widely-spaced aisles. We feature first-run major motion pictures plus art house films, independent productions and documentaries, including locally-produced films.  In addition, the Orpheum offers creative alternative programming for children, elders, and families.

You’ll find all the traditional concessions (including popcorn with real butter!) plus a delightful array of unique treats created by local Chatham confectioners.  Movie-goers may also enjoy a glass of wine or beer from Vers at the Orpheum, our lobby café boasting a full menu of exceptional offerings with an emphasis on natural, seasonal, local ingredients … utilizing what is flavorful and familiar to the contemporary palate.

The Orpheum’s interior is tastefully designed in traditional Cape Cod style, and the vaulted lobby showcases great works of created by notable local artists, including Hans de Castellane’s signature mural, The After Party.