A sold out crowd enjoying special event screening of 'Cold War in Philly' at the County Theater

As another successful season of special programming comes to a close, we're often asked the same question:

"How do you decide what movies to show?"

The answer is a little more complicated than simply picking great films.

Long before a movie arrives on our screens, our programming team is researching upcoming releases, attending festivals and industry screenings, reading trade publications, and working closely with our film booker to identify the titles that will resonate with our audiences. But even after we've found a film we'd love to play, bringing it to one of our theaters depends on a much larger puzzle.

Independent theaters like ours work directly with film distributors. These relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Distributors determine when and where films are available, including on how many screens they will show nationally, how long they must play, and under what conditions. Maintaining strong partnerships ensures that we'll continue to have access to the blockbuster, independent, foreign, documentary, and specialty films our audiences love.

For our first-run films, we agree to certain booking terms, which often include playing a film on every available showtime and keeping it on screen for a minimum amount of time if it's performing well. First-run films also typically come with a film rental fee based on a percentage of each ticket sold. Special event films, meanwhile, may be booked under a percentage-of-sales arrangement or for a flat rental fee. These costs are an important part of what goes into bringing each film to the County, along with staffing and other operational expenses.

That's why we sometimes can't shorten a run to make room for another movie—or why we don't always know our next week's schedule until just a few days before it begins. These distributor requirements are why we often cannot share showtimes between new films, and have more difficulty planning special screenings, like classic films. Every week, our staff works behind the scenes to create a lineup that balances audience favorites, emerging independent voices, educational programming, and beloved classics—all while navigating an ever-changing release calendar. Programming also requires looking months ahead. Our staff works backward from key film release dates, balancing anticipated audience demand, limited screen space, and commitments to distributors. (And sometimes these release schedules change at the last minute - meaning we have to scramble and rebuild our whole schedule!)

Special events—from classic film series and educational talks to member screenings and community partnerships—are an essential part of our programming, creating unique experiences that go beyond first-run films. Because distributors expect us to devote most showtimes to current releases, many of these events are carefully scheduled on weekday evenings or during openings in our regular programming calendar. Every event is thoughtfully planned around our existing film commitments so we can continue offering both exciting new releases and the unique experiences that make The County Theater special.

Patrons in the spirit at the County's inaugural SNL Fest

As you joined us this summer for our first ever SNL Fest, or a classic like Jaws, Casablanca, The Birds, our upcoming Mystery Mondays series, and the rest of our Hollywood Summer Nights series, we hope you experienced what makes our programming so special: bringing audiences together to enjoy timeless films the way they were meant to be seen—on the big screen, in a room full of fellow movie lovers.

Did you know you can directly support the programming you love?

Through our Film & Event Underwriting Program, individuals and businesses can help make special screenings, classic film series and community programs, such as our $5 Family Matinees and Hollywood Summer Nights series, possible. Underwriters can receive recognition before the event and play a meaningful role in expanding the unique cinematic experiences we can offer throughout the year.

Your support helps us continue presenting the films and the unforgettable shared experiences that simply can't be replicated at home.

You can view our current Special Programs to see the programming you could help support!

Patrons getting in the spirit at our inaugural SNL Fest

Behind every membership is a story. Maybe it's a favorite film you discovered, a tradition you've started with your family, the excitement of seeing a beloved classic back on the big screen, or you've simply found a place that feels like home. We'd love to hear what the County Theater means to you.

As a member-supported nonprofit theater, the stories of our community are at the heart of everything we do. Your experiences remind us why independent cinema matters—and they inspire others to become part of it.

Have a favorite County Theater memory or a reason you love being a member? Share your story with us! We may feature your testimonial in a future newsletter, on our website, or on social media.

Share your story here »

We're taking the next steps toward replacing the digital projectors in Theaters 2 and 3, an essential investment that will ensure the County Theater continues to present films with the exceptional image quality our audiences expect. Thank you to everyone who donated to the 2025 End of Year campaign to support the projector replacement!

We recently received a proposal from Cardinal Sound & Motion Picture Systems, allowing us to better understand the scope of this important project. These new projectors are very specialized equipment, and identifying the best equipment, ordering, and installation takes time. Our contractor is highly regarded in the field and works with cinemas throughout the eastern U.S. As we've evaluated the replacement, we've also identified the need to upgrade the sound systems in both theaters. These improvements will work hand in hand, ensuring that audiences enjoy both stunning visuals and immersive audio for years to come.

These upgrades represent a significant investment in the future of the County Theater. We're grateful for the continued support of our members and donors, whose generosity helps us preserve and enhance the moviegoing experience for our community.