Tara Theatre
An Atlanta arthouse cinema known for exclusively presenting independent films.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Tara Theatre is an arthouse movie theater in Atlanta, Georgia, focused on independent cinema. Its identity combines specialized film programming with a distinctive history as a neighborhood landmark and one of Atlanta's best-known venues for non-mainstream theatrical releases. The theater has been described as the only cinema in Atlanta devoted exclusively to independent films, distinguishing it from multiplexes that divide their schedules among studio blockbusters, mainstream releases, and occasional specialty titles. The venue opened in June 1968 under the name Loew's Tara. Its name referred to Tara, the fictional plantation associated with the O'Hara family in Margaret Mitchell's novel Gone with the Wind. The building reflected the modernist architectural style popular during the period. At opening, it operated as a single large auditorium with approximately 1,000 seats and a 60-foot screen. Its inaugural presentation was a 70mm, stereophonic screening of Gone with the Wind, linking the theater's name and launch presentation to the influential Atlanta-associated novel and film. The theater's physical configuration changed as exhibition practices evolved. The original single auditorium was later divided into two screens. A third auditorium was added during the 1970s, and one of the twin auditoriums was subdivided again in the early 1980s. These changes allowed the venue to show more than one title at a time while adapting a large single-screen building to the multi-screen model that became increasingly common in urban cinema. During the 1980s, Tara became part of the locally based Lefont theater group. Later in that decade, United Artists Theaters acquired the theater. United Artists also used part of the building as a regional corporate office. In 2002, United Artists and Edwards Theatres were merged into the newly formed Regal Entertainment Group. Tara continued to operate for a period under the United Artists name after the corporate transition. Following the United Artists-era changes, the theater was remodeled with decorative elements intended to evoke classic cinema. The interior and the area above the portico received silver, streamline-moderne-inspired details, while faux Art Deco advertisements and large hanging portraits of Hollywood figures including Greta Garbo, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Charlie Chaplin reinforced its movie-palace character. These features gave the theater a visual identity that complemented its specialized programming. Regal closed Tara Theatre in November 2022. The venue reopened in May 2023 under local ownership. The same ownership also operates Atlanta's nearby historic Plaza Theatre, connecting Tara with an independent local theater presence and with the city's broader film-culture infrastructure. Under its current operation, Tara is also associated with the Atlanta Film Festival. Publicly available reference material does not identify the current owner by name, disclose financial results, or provide a standalone corporate website. Tara's principal role remains that of a specialized Atlanta exhibition venue rather than a film production studio.
History
Tara Theatre opened in Atlanta in June 1968 as Loew's Tara, a new cinema operated by Loew's Theatres. The name referenced Tara, the fictional plantation in Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind. Its opening design reflected contemporary modernist architecture. The original theater contained one auditorium with roughly 1,000 seats and a 60-foot screen. The first presentation was a 70mm, stereophonic screening of Gone with the Wind, making the launch both a technological showcase and a deliberate invocation of the theater's name. The venue was subsequently adapted to the changing economics and practices of theatrical exhibition. The original auditorium was divided into a twin theater, and a third screen was added during the 1970s. In the early 1980s, one of the twin auditoriums was subdivided, increasing the number of available screens. These alterations allowed Tara to present a wider range of films while retaining its original building. Tara joined the local Lefont theater group during the 1980s. Later in that decade, United Artists Theaters purchased the venue and used part of the property for a regional corporate office. United Artists was later combined with Edwards Theatres in a 2002 transaction that created Regal Entertainment Group. Tara remained associated with the United Artists operating label for a period after that corporate change. The theater was later remodeled with a decorative program evoking classic Hollywood and Art Deco design. Silver streamline-moderne-inspired details were installed inside and above the portico, and faux Art Deco advertisements and portraits of film stars such as Greta Garbo, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Charlie Chaplin were added. These elements helped distinguish Tara from standardized multiplex interiors. As an arthouse venue, Tara developed a reputation for concentrating on independent films. Reference material describes it as the only Atlanta theater devoted exclusively to that type of programming. The venue therefore served as a specialized exhibition site within the city's film ecosystem, rather than as a general-purpose commercial multiplex or a film-production company. It also became associated with the Atlanta Film Festival under its current ownership. Regal closed Tara Theatre in November 2022. The theater reopened in May 2023 under local ownership that also owns the nearby historic Plaza Theatre. The available reference does not name the owner or provide detailed information about the current operating company, financial structure, leadership, or programming schedule. The theater's current identity is consequently best understood through its venue history, independent-film focus, Atlanta location, and relationship to local film culture.
- 2023
Reopening under local ownership
[1]Tara reopened in May under local ownership that also operates the nearby historic Plaza Theatre.
- 2022
Closure under Regal
[1]Regal closed Tara Theatre in November.
- 2002
United Artists joins Regal Entertainment Group
[1]United Artists and Edwards Theatres were merged into the newly formed Regal Entertainment Group. Tara continued for a time under the United Artists operating label.
- 1989
Acquisition by United Artists Theaters
[1]United Artists Theaters acquired Tara late in the 1980s and used part of the building as a regional corporate office.
- 1980
Further subdivision of the auditoriums
[1]One of the twin theaters was divided in the early 1980s, further increasing the venue's screening capacity.
- 1980
Entry into the Lefont theater group
[1]The theater became part of Atlanta's Lefont theater group during the 1980s.
- 1970
Expansion to a third auditorium
[1]A third theater was added to the building during the 1970s after the original auditorium had been converted into a twin-screen arrangement.
- 1968
Opening as Loew's Tara
[1]Loew's Theatres opened the original single-screen theater in Atlanta in June. The venue launched with a 70mm, stereophonic presentation of Gone with the Wind on a 60-foot screen.
Products and positioning
A local arthouse cinema positioned around independent-film exhibition, film culture, and historic theatrical character rather than mass-market multiplex programming.
Arthouse theatrical exhibition
Independent film screenings
Tara's central offering is theatrical presentation of independent films. Its programming identity is more specialized than that of a conventional multiplex, with the venue described as focusing exclusively on independent cinema in Atlanta. The theater provides a physical platform for specialty releases and non-mainstream film audiences.
Film festival exhibition
Atlanta Film Festival screenings
Under its current local ownership, Tara has become part of the Atlanta Film Festival's exhibition environment. This connects the theater with festival-oriented programming and the city's broader independent-film community. Specific editions, titles, and contractual arrangements are not identified in the available reference.
Special event cinema · 1968
Classic-film presentations
The venue's opening with a 70mm presentation of Gone with the Wind and its classic-Hollywood interior imagery form part of its historical association with repertory and classic cinema culture. The available reference does not establish a regular current classic-film series.
Brand decisions
2023
Reopening under local ownershipStrategyBackground
After Regal's November 2022 closure, the Atlanta venue was taken over by local ownership associated with the nearby Plaza Theatre.
Action taken
Tara Theatre reopened in May 2023 and resumed operation as a locally operated cinema.
Aftermath
The theater became linked to the Atlanta Film Festival and continued its role as an independent-film venue.
2022
Regal closure of the theaterStrategyBackground
Regal ended operation of Tara Theatre in November 2022.
Action taken
The theater was closed rather than continuing under Regal's operation.
Aftermath
The venue later returned under local ownership and reopened in May 2023.
Recent events
- 2023
Tara Theatre reopens under local ownership[1]
Other
The theater reopened in May 2023 under local ownership connected to the nearby historic Plaza Theatre.
- 2022
Regal closes Tara Theatre[1]
Other
Regal shut the Atlanta theater in November 2022, ending its operation under the large theater chain.
- 2022
Regal closes Tara Theatre in Atlanta[1]
Other
Regal closed the Atlanta theater in November 2022, ending its period of operation under the Regal-associated cinema structure.
Sources1 sources
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