The Minor Theater at 1001 H Street is a genuine piece of film history. Opened in 1914, it is one of the oldest movie theatres in continuous operation in the United States — though it has had its dark periods, most recently a long closure that ended when independent owners reopened it in 2016. The single-screen format, the original architectural bones, and the programming choices set it apart from every multiplex in the region.
The theater shows a mix of art-house films, documentaries, and occasional mainstream releases, and it hosts community screenings and special events. If you're in Arcata on a rainy evening — and on the North Coast there will be rainy evenings — this is exactly the right place to spend it.