A grander Grand Illusion at the Varsity Theatre
The Grand Illusion Cinema has a new home!
We are thrilled to announce that we have signed a long-term lease at the historic Varsity Theatre in Seattle’s University District.
For decades, the Grand Illusion has introduced Seattle audiences to new independent films, repertory classics, genre films, and cinema from around the world. Last year, we left our longtime home and have continued presenting films throughout Seattle while searching for a place where the Grand Illusion could continue to grow and thrive.
We have found that place. The Varsity’s three auditoriums will allow us to dramatically expand our programming and revitalize a cultural anchor of the U District where people can gather, connect, and engage around the magic of movies.
It also brings cinema back to the neighborhood. As recently as 2010, the U District had sixteen movie screens. Today, it has none. Soon, audiences will once again be able to enjoy a cinematic experience in the heart of the U District, just steps from the Link light rail station.
While the Varsity is much larger than our former location, in recent years we have seen the potential to grow our footprint. Attendance at the original Grand Illusion had increased from approximately 9,000 admissions in 2022 to over 20,000 admissions in 2024, the final full year in our former location. During our recent popup period, it has remained very strong. We are confident that we can sustain the Varsity, revitalize this storied art house theater, and continue to keep cinema alive in the U District.
What Happens Next
We have a two-phase plan for improving and moving into our new home at the Varsity Theatre.
We are pleased to have the support of local architecture firms ORA and Perkins&Will on this project. With their help we are developing plans for a cosmetic refresh of the entire facility, as well as accessible seating improvements.
Phase one is to reopen with the large main auditorium on the first floor, tentatively scheduled for late fall of 2026. After that, phase two will be to work on the two smaller auditorium upstairs and reopen those as well.
Soon, we’ll begin the first phase of work, focusing on making updates to the Varsity’s lobby and historic Art Deco-inspired main auditorium. It will become the Grand Illusion’s new flagship space for presenting our unique mix of film programming. The projection system will get a massive upgrade with a new 4K laser projector along with a professional recalibration of the audio system. We will also install our 35mm projectors as soon as practical; 16mm projection is also a priority we’re actively working on.
After the initial reopening, the phase two will focus on making similar improvements to the two smaller screening rooms upstairs. One of these will be redone in a style evocative of the original Grand Illusion, with red velvet curtains and classic-styled seats. More on that after we reopen!
Help Us Open the Doors
For over 20 years as a nonprofit, the Grand Illusion has been sustained entirely by a staff of dedicated volunteers. Through a love of movies and thousands of hours of donated labor, careful stewardship, and the support of our community, we have built an organization that is not only surviving, but thriving.
Today, we are in an extraordinary position. We have accumulated the resources to invest over $400,000 toward reopening the Varsity Theatre as the new home of the Grand Illusion.
Now we’re inviting the community to help us bring cinema back to the U District by raising an additional $200,000 to complete the project and build a strong foundation for our future.
These funds will support the improvements we plan to make, as well as provide us with the resources needed to ensure a successful first year of operations. Every dollar raised will help bring independent film back to the U District and secure a grander Grand Illusion for years to come.
There are two ways to support the return of the Grand Illusion:
Donate!
Help power the Grand Illusion’s next chapter. Make a donation now!
Become a member!
Provide ongoing support and enjoy benefits while helping to sustain independent cinema in Seattle. Become a member now!
With your help, cinema — and the Grand Illusion — will return to the U District!
A Storied Past
The Varsity and the Grand Ilusion each have long histories, which even intersected over 40 years ago! Learn more about it all in this illustrated timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you reopen the Varsity?
We are aiming for late fall 2026. We will be doing work in the space, and the specific timing will depend on how that goes. We will be announcing a grand opening date soon – stay tuned!
How will I know when you announce your new grand opening?
Subscribe to our email list or become a Member to stay up to date! You can also follow our official social media accounts on Instagram, Bluesky, and Facebook.
How did you decide to relocate to the Varsity?
It was a process. The theater had been suggested to us more than once, but at the time we thought it was too big and would require too much work. When it closed in January, our leadership team decided we should at least “kick the tires” and take a tour. Yes, it needs some love, but we saw huge potential. After careful thought, we realized it was doable. We are very excited to work with the owners of the Varsity to both find our new permanent home, and also reopen this historic neighborhood theater.
Will you rename the Varsity?
No. At the landlord’s request, the iconic neon marquee must remain essentially unchanged. We will still do business as the Grand Illusion Cinema and are exploring how to properly convey this through signage and communications.
Will it be a “grander Grand Illusion”?
Yes – in more ways than one! We are not changing the style of the main auditorium—it still has its original classic, Art Deco aesthetic and we don’t want to abandon that. Our plan is that one of the smaller upstairs auditoriums will become the “grander Grand Illusion”. We’ll incorporate signature design elements from our old location, including red velvet curtains and repurposed original pieces we’ve kept in storage. Plus: we’ll have even more screens to do what we do, which we think is pretty grand indeed!
What kind of films will you show?
We will continue to show the same eclectic mix of programming we always have. And with the Varsity’s additional screens, we’ll be able to do even more of it! If anything, we hope our return increases the variety of films you can see. We want to give Seattle the chance to see many more films that currently slip through the cracks.
Are you going to raise prices?
This has not yet been decided. Our admission prices have long been the lowest in Seattle, thanks to our low overhead. We’re still finalizing details with our new home, but if we ever do need to raise our prices we are committed to keeping them as low as possible.
Will popups at other venues continue?
Those will be ending…but keep coming to them! As we get closer to reopening the Varsity, our popup events at SIFF, Northwest Film Forum, and Central Cinema will wind down. Once the Varsity is open and running, popup events will cease. In the meantime, attending our popup screenings is a great way to support us…and to see great movies. We are deeply grateful to our host venues for giving us a way to stay engaged over the past 1.5 years! Please support them, too!
Will you sell beer and wine?
Not at the present time. Just the usual soft drinks, candy, and popcorn.