What's new at the Varsity Cinema? Here are six things to look for when you visit

Isaac Hamlet, Des Moines Register
·4 min read
The Varsity Cinema reopens near Drake University on Thursday.
The Varsity Cinema reopens near Drake University on Thursday.

Four years after closing, the Varsity Cinema re-opens to the public on Dec. 15, welcoming patrons back with five movies to enjoy.

Beyond just bringing indie films back to Des Moines in the Drake neighborhood and a fresh coat of paint, though, there are things Varsity veterans may notice are new about the revamped local theater, now operating as a nonprofit. Whether you're a longtime Varsity devotee or new to the transformed theater, here are some of the new features you might want to keep an eye out for.

A second screen on the second floor

A sign for the Varsity's new Loft Cinema points patrons in the right direction.
A sign for the Varsity's new Loft Cinema points patrons in the right direction.

Easily the most notable addition to the new theater is a second screen on the building's second floor dubbed the "Loft Cinema."

This 35-seat space allows the theater to show a second film in addition to whatever's playing in the main 235-seat theater on the ground floor. With a smaller screen and fewer seats, the loft cinema is a more intimate setting than the main theater and will help the Varsity reach its programming goal of showing prestige new release films, the best of arthouse and international film, curated repertory series and classics, upscale genre and late-night movies, and kids and family series, according to Ben Godar, director at Des Moines Film, which renovated the Varsity Cinema.

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Bigger and better seats

Even though the Varsity now has two theaters, the total number of seats has gone down. This is in large part because the seats that have been installed are designed to be more comfortable than the previous chairs, Godar said.

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A larger main theater screen

Ben Godar, director of the Des Moines Film Society, the nonprofit renovating the historic Varsity Cinema, is ready to reveal the renovations to the public.
Ben Godar, director of the Des Moines Film Society, the nonprofit renovating the historic Varsity Cinema, is ready to reveal the renovations to the public.

While it's not wildly bigger than before, the screen of the Varsity's main theater has expanded thanks to this refresh.

Increased ADA options

The most noteworthy Americans with Disabilities Act option now in use at the Varsity is the elevator, a new feature for the cinema that can bring individuals to the second floor. The main screen theater also includes wheelchair-accessible seating toward the back of the theater.

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Credit/debit and digital purchasing options

Like a lot of movie theaters over the past few years, the Varsity is embracing reserved seating and digital purchasing options. This is a big new move for the theater considering, before its closure in 2018, the venue only took cash and checks and didn't even take debit cards.

Those who are interested in seeing a show can buy their tickets at the box office or purchase in advance through varsitydesmoines.com.

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More concessions than before

Ben Godar, director of the Des Moines Film Society, gets ready to reveal the renovations to the historic Varsity Cinema.
Ben Godar, director of the Des Moines Film Society, gets ready to reveal the renovations to the historic Varsity Cinema.

Alongside classic movie concession, the Varsity has added beer, wine and alcohol to its menu for customers.

Even though the concessions have been added to, you can still get popcorn from the same machine that was there when the theater closed in 2018.

Opening weekend lineup at The Varsity Cinema

Here are the five films the Varsity will feature on its opening weekend:

  • "Singing in the Rain": Released in 1952 and set in the 1920s, this romantic comedy starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds tells the song-and-dance story of a silent film star who falls for a chorus girl.

  • "Decision to Leave": The 2022 South Korean film "Decision to Leave" is the latest from Park Chan-Wook ("Oldboy," "The Handmaiden") and mixes a murder mystery with romance and thrills. This movie is exclusive to the Varsity among the Des Moines metro cinemas, according to Godar.

  • "Elf": A Christmas classic from 2003, this film stars Will Ferrell as Buddy the elf and follows him on his search for belonging.

  • "White Noise": Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig and Don Cheadle star in this 2022 Noah Baumbach-directed adaption of the Don DeLillo book of the same name. "White Noise" is described as an apocalyptic comedy. This movie is another that is exclusive to the Varsity among the Des Moines metro cinemas, according to Godar.

  • "Lost Cinemas of Greater Des Moines": This is a documentary released in 2021 after 18 years in the making that recounts the history of movie theaters in Des Moines, including the Varsity. This film was part of the Varsity's virtual cinema last year and now returns to the theater for in-person screening.

Find it

Varsity Cinema

Address: 1207 25th St., Des Moines

Contact: 515-259-0167 or varsitydesmoines.com.

Isaac Hamlet covers arts, entertainment and culture at the Des Moines Register. Reach him at ihamlet@gannett.com or 319-600-2124, or follow him on Twitter at @IsaacHamlet.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What's new at the Varsity? Here's six things we spotted