About the National Theatre
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
364 DAYS A YEAR
Just follow the neon lights to the west side of America’s largest downtown square and you’ll find the National Theatre, a cherished local icon since it first opened its doors in 1920.
We’re proud to be able to bring first-run movies to the citizens of Graham and surrounding communities and to be a place for safe family entertainment in Young County at a fraction of the cost of larger big city cinemas.
This small town cinema boasts three movie screens – The National is our largest theatre, located on the main floor and wheelchair accessible, turn right as you walk through the front doors and you’ll find the Northstar Theatre which is also wheelchair accessible, and the Staircase Theatre is up two short flights of stairs to the left of our concession area.
Speaking of concessions. Stop by for fresh-popped buttery popcorn, an ice cold RC Cola fresh from the fountain and a box of something sweet to enjoy with your movie. See the treats we offer here. Please don’t bring outside food or drink into the theatres. Our survival depends on the success of our concession sales as the movie companies take the majority of our ticket revenue.
The National is open seven days a week, 364 days a year. Movies are shown nightly, with additional late shows on Friday and Saturday and matinees showing on Saturday and Sunday afternoons with additional matinees in the summer and during holidays and other special occasions.
The Historic
National Theatre
Walk into the lobby of the National Theatre and brace yourself for a blast from the past! Accurately restored in 1980, the National Theatre still showcases its past which dates back to 1920 when it was the first ‘picture’ show to open in Graham, it wasn’t long before it shared the block with two other movie theatres. Even though a fire ravaged the building in 1939, the theatre still shows hints of its past… the Carrera glass facade, 1930’s light fixtures, terrazo flooring, an old-fashioned cry room and love seats in the auditorium.
The National Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and received recognition in 1992 from the League of Historic American Theatres for preservation. The National also played host to a gala screening of the 1955 hit Oklahoma! sponsored by American Movie Classics (AMC). The National has now expanded from one-screen to three screens appropriately named The National, The Staircase Theatre (located upstairs) and the Northstar Theatre.
We are open 7 days a week, with expanded show times during holidays and summer vacations.
