Grand Illusion Cinema will revive Seattle's Varsity Theatre

Zoom in: The Grand Illusion plans to reopen the Varsity in November or December and show movies every day of the week, the Times reports.

• The volunteer-run nonprofit Grand Illusion has been without a home since losing its longtime lease in the U District early last year.

Catch up quick: The U District was once home to several movie theaters.

• But the Varsity closed earlier this year after the AMC Seattle 10 theater closed in January 2025.
• That's on top of the Seven Gables theater closing in 2017, along with the Guild 45th in nearby Wallingford.

What they're saying: "There used to be like 16 screens or something in the University District," Brian Alter, the Grand Illusion's executive director, told the Seattle Times.

• "So a big part of (why we chose this space) is the history of that neighborhood and movie theater scene."

What's next: The Grand Illusion plans to spend the next few months updating the Varsity's main auditorium and lobby, including by installing a new 4K laser projector, according to its website.

• The nonprofit will later focus on improving and opening the theater's two other auditoriums.