Naro Expanded Cinema

I really enjoy the vintage look of this place but it’s clearly time for the bathrooms to be renovated and expanded. It’s small, smells, and barely has any air circulating through it (mainly hot air). It’s time that they invest their money on updating and cleaning this historic building to avoid it from getting more dingy and run down.

Best popcorn in town! Love this theater! I really love the special nights they play old movies and cult classics.

I lived here a year and never knew about the Naro until this past weekend. The Rocky Horror Picture Show experience was phenomenal. It was the best experience. They act out the film as it’s playing on the screen and they go off of audience participation. It’s something that everyone needs to experience at least once in their lifetime. You need to get there early because the line gets long pretty fast.

I love this place! Many of my happy memories are from here. Love coming here for movies and esp The Rocky Horror Picture Show. great snacks as well, I really enjoy the baklava.

Plenty of my high school days have been spent at the Naro Cinema for it’s rustic and eclectic feel. I love how the screen here is covered by a curtain until the movie starts.
The Naro shows both mainstream and indie films that you may not be able to see anywhere else in the immediate area. My most recent visit here was with friends to see «Amy» a documentary released mostly overseas about the life of the late singer Amy Winehouse.
There’s a good view of the screen from all areas, but my friends and I prefer to sit up in the balcony, I don’t know about them, but it makes me feel important. Keep in mind that this is an older theater when the national average of body size wasn’t as large, so the seats are a bit tight, and they don’t have any cup holders to accommodate mega sized sodas. haha Other than that no complaints.
They have an arraignment of snacks that you’ll find cheaper than at any Regal or Cinemark, and their cookies are to die for. I had one of their peanut butter cup cookies, and I almost got up mid showing to go back downstairs and get another one.
Another thing to be noted is that since this is an indie theater, it’s usually not as crowded as other theaters, and that’s definitely a good thing in my book.

I can’t believe I’ve lived here for 17 years and have never been to this movie theater. I’ve always intended to go, but just never made it. My Mom and I went recently for the summer movie series to watch The Long Hot Summer, hosted by Mal Vincent. We enjoyed ourselves immensely! The place was packed, so we chose seats in the balcony. Once we claimed our spots, I went back downstairs to get popcorn and a drink. The staff was super friendly and the theater was very clean– including the restrooms. I’m going back tonight with my kids to see Labyrinth and cosplayers. This place is a gem. Come park, eat dinner in Ghent, and walk over to see a film. I’m mad at myself for not coming sooner.

Great theatre that shows indie and foreign films. On the street parking or park across the street in the school parking lot during the weekends. Only complaint is that the seats are very uncomfortable.

My favorite place to watch a movie in Hampton Roads. This is the only place to watch a great independent movie in the area. The staff is great and the atmosphere to watch a movie is a phenomenal. There are usually only one or two movies playing throughout the week, and I find that I like at least one of those movies. Go check it out if you need a break from the big Blockbusters and see a great Independent movie that you will not see elsewhere, you will not regret it!

I really enjoyed coming here yesterday! It is nice to be able to see indie films again. I think it was awesome that the producer of the film was there to answer questions. I will be back! Many, many times! I’m a sucker for
Documentaries.

Consistently a great place to see a movie. This historic building is comfortable with a hip vibe. I love the balcony seating. You can see an Indie or foreign film but they also show current mainstream movies too. Located in the heart of Ghent on Colley Ave., with plenty of options for dinning at quaint restraints before or after the show.
I was intimidated by the aspect of parking, but I can honestly say I have never had a problem finding a spot. Definitely worth venturing into the heart of Ghent to have a movie experience that you couldn’t get at the mall.

Historical gem in Ghent, and am thoroughly pleased to see that it is still standing. It has been a source of pride As a person who has grown to love this area in the years I have lives here.
The biggest thing I love about the Naro is that they play independent films that are not mainstreamed in Regal or the other well known chains. The art of independent films deserve to be shown in the same manner, and praised equally.
They also do the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I’ve seen it three times, which is very disappointing that I haven’t gone more times, but it is a classic and it never ceases to get old. Plus, the actors at the Naro always change it up, great performance.
Overall, I love everything about the Naro, however, I do feel like the Naro could benefit receiving some love and maintain it a bit more. It always seems to be a bit dirty when I go, but, nevertheless, worth going and supporting.

Sure it’s an old-​fashioned theater with only one screen and sure the times of the movies change every day so that you have to plan in advance to see certain movies, but the Naro remains one of the best movie theaters (and, really, the only one in the area) to see non-​blockbusters. They usually have a great selection of movies, and whoever picks their selection is a genius. I have yet to leave a movie there unsatisfied, even if I wasn’t all that interested in the movie when I walked in.
Plus, their prices (tickets as well as concessions) are way cheaper than a normal movie theater.
Add the fact that they still have audience-​participation and real-​time acted Rocky Horror showings twice a month, and the Naro becomes a truly unique and wonderful indie theater.

This is a local community theater with a wonderful sense of history and nostalgia. While the seats are not as comfortable as the new ultra-​cushioned, folding-​armrest seats at the big box theater multiplexes, taking in a film at the Naro feels like you’re connecting to generations past who came to see classic films when they first debuted. It opened in the 1930s, and I can picture kids going to see the newest cartoons and the related war films during WWII.
I have seen several films at the Naro: several independent films, and the latest adaptation of The Great Gatsby. It only seemed appropriate to see a film set in a classic era in a classic theater! Ticket prices are relatively low, compared to the greedy big box theaters, and although I don’t partake of concessions at movies (as a personal rule), the prices are reasonable for those who do prefer to indulge. I would also venture to bet that the popcorn at the Naro is better than you would find at a commercial multiplex any day, but I can’t speak from experience.
I sincerely hope the effort to raise funds to move to digital are successful, because seeing such a classic piece of Ghent history fall by the wayside would be such a shame.

My first visit to the NARO and I really enjoyed it. I did not see a classic or a documentary which would be great to do it the future.
The theater was not packed at all and I got a great seat.
the concession prices were much better than at any other theater and they had some unique items-​fresh baked cookies and baklava, which were enjoyed on this trip.
Also there was a pitcher of water and cups to be enjoyed for free.
Looking forward to my next visit.
P. S. Tickets go on sale 10 minute before the show. If you are there wayy early you can pop into the video store next door. If you’re with a friend, peruse the titles reminiscing/​comparing your favorite movies and TV series. You may learn a few things.
oh one more cool thing… the guy next door to the Naro playing his guitar. He was there for hours.

The classics, the quirky, the local, the documentary, the indie… this may be one of the last places you’ll find something other than the big blockbusters. This independent, locally owned landmark of Norfolk needs our respect and patronage. Service is super friendly, and really everyone here is family.
I think it’s very important to support the last few of these classic cinemas. If you can, stop by. If not, think about donating to the Clarence fund to help them convert to digital so they won’t have to close their doors this year.

It is a great theater that has so much history and an «authentic, old time» feel to it. There are lots of red curtains and draperies and balcony seating that give you the feeling you are in a small NYC broadway theater. The prices are reasonable, especially if you get a 10-​ticket book for $ 63 (no expiration date, valid any time). Sometimes they will play mainstream films, but always expect most of them to either be indie films or limited release films. Every time I come, there aren’t too many people, so there’s always plenty of seats to choose from, even if you arrive with only a few minutes to spare.
It’s also conveniently located on Colley, which is always a plus. They have a website that features their «coming soon» movies. It is frequently updated.
If you want a more unique, old school moviewatching experience, I can’t think of anywhere else that can top this.

What’s not to love about this cute old theater? It’s a two floor one screen classic style theater. The ticket price is about average but their concession prices is far cheaper than the arm and leg costs of big corporate theaters.
I love that they mostly show independent films. And the rocky horror picture show on some nights. It’s perhaps the only place to go to see some of the oddest movies, so no big blockbuster hits here.
This is the perfect place to start or end your date in Colley. Ive always looked at it as the heart of Colley.

This place has been around for 76 years and it’s still going strong. Having grown up in Norfolk, I’ve known about this place since I was old enough to watch movies. I love watching films and even was a part-​time film critic for 4 years. In Hampton Roads this is the first place I would choose go to see a film. Owned and run by Thom and Tench, this is great place to experience what it’s like to see movie on a big screen.
It’s a single-​screen theater, which means there will always be a line for a ticket, but if you watch enough movies then a Naro Ticket Book will fix that (you pay up front for ten passes which can be used for nearly any feature they screen — in turn you can skip the box office and go straight into the theater). Part of its charm is the aforementioned single-​screen format, the awesome balcony (which is non-​existent at major chains) and the appeal of seeing foreign films, cult films, revivals, classics, indie favorites and otherwise hard-​to-​find releases that a major chain would normally avoid. Every fall and winter they offer a great opportunity for film fans to screen and review unreleased and foreign films, and afterwards they open up the floor to discussion. It’s known as the First Look Film Forum and they usually offer two separate sessions that take place for about 7 Sunday mornings. It’s a great way to expand your film palette and discuss films with other «cinephiles.»
The Naro does mix it up and will screen some major studio blockbusters, but from my experience they tend to screen the ones that have some artistic merit to it (so you won’t see any Michael Bay flicks here).
And if that doesn’t impress you, then at least recognize their ticket prices are far more reasonable ($ 6.50 for a matinée, senior citizens and kids 12 & under; $ 9 for evening shows) and you won’t pay $ 7 for a large soda.
Right now the only thing that I fear is how this Norfolk landmark will handle the conversion from film to digital. Within 4 years all theater chains will stop using film projectors and go digital — some local theater chains have already made the change. Chains can afford to make the change, but for an independent theater like the Naro it will cost some big money to undergo the metamorphosis. A place like this needs to go on because it’s the only theater in the area that treats film like an art and caters to the varying tastes of filmgoers in the area.
Needless to say, I love this place and hope that it will be able to successfully convert to digital and thrive for the next 76 years. If you are a Hampton Roads local, please do yourself a favor and check out a film here. This is a place that understands the importance and simplicity of the classic filmgoing experience. JV

I stopped in here on a recent Monday afternoon to catch a flick and wow does it bring back a lot of memories. I have been an on off visitor of the Naro for at least 30 years, starting back in the late 80’s, trying to sneak in beer to catch a midnight flick like The Wall, or catching Aliens in 70 mm. Later on I would always go to the Naro to catch a David Lynch film. You gotta love those.
This place has a lot of charm. From the ticket booth at the front door, to the tiny dimly lit lobby with the ancient popcorn machine and glass counter filled with candy. From there you step into the old theater and see the red curtains covering the screen while you wait to be seated.
This is a medium sized theater however on this hot Monday afternoon I’d say it was half to three quarters full. The AC was perfect. :) While this may be an old theater don’t let that fool you. They have an excellent modern projection and sound systems. All in all a great experience.
This is a great place for a date or to catch an indy flick. Also parking is on Colley or in the lot out back.

It smells like stale popcorn. The sound system isn’t the best. When the theater is only a quarter full some ignorant woman who can’t stop texting will sit right in front of you. Parking can be a challenge.
But I love this place! They only play those movies that you thought you had to scour the Netflix library for six months to a year after they get released. That makes this cinema a cultural treasure for Hampton Roads.
What is really great is that you have all of Ghent within walking distance if you want to get dinner and drinks before or after a movie. Date night perfection. It’s enough to make Norfolk feel like a real city. Next thing you know they might put in a light rail system.
By the way… we saw «The Guard» last night. One of the best films in years if you don’t mind Irish accents.