An Appreciation of Plaza Theatre – Atlanta
Atlanta has changed dramatically over the decades, but the Plaza Theatre remains one of the city’s most enduring cultural touchstones. Since opening in 1939, it has weathered economic downturns, shifting tastes, ownership changes, and the rise of multiplex chains. Through it all, Plaza has continued to glow on Ponce de Leon Avenue, a beacon for anyone who believes that cinema is more than content. It is a ritual, a gathering, a shared pulse in the dark.
A History of Reinvention
Plaza began life as an Art Deco neighborhood cinema, part of the Briarcliff Plaza development that introduced Atlantans to the novelty of off-street parking. Its early years were defined by second runs of major Hollywood films and a steady stream of community foot traffic. It was a classic single-screen house serving the surrounding neighborhoods, a place where moviegoing felt intimate and local.
By the 1970s, Plaza faced the same pressures that hit independent theaters across the country. Suburban multiplexes were booming, and single-screen venues struggled to compete. In order to survive, Plaza shifted into adult programming for a period. It was a pragmatic move, not a rebranding of identity, and it kept the lights on when many similar theaters went dark. This chapter is part of the Plaza’s story, and acknowledging it only underscores its resilience, as well as giving it some grindhouse sleaze cred.
The Lefont Era and a Turning Point
One of the most important figures in Plaza’s history is George Lefont, a titan of Atlanta’s independent cinema scene. Lefont purchased Plaza in the early 1980s and is widely credited with rescuing it from near-certain closure. He had already built a reputation for championing foreign films, documentaries, and offbeat programming at venues like the Tara and Garden Hills. Under his stewardship, Plaza shifted away from its adult phase and reestablished itself as a home for eclectic, adventurous cinema.
Lefont’s influence cannot be overstated. He helped cultivate Atlanta’s taste for arthouse and international films long before streaming made such content accessible. His tenure at Plaza laid the groundwork for the theater’s modern identity as a haven for cinephiles who crave everything from prestige dramas to midnight oddities.
A New Chapter with Christopher Escobar
Today, Plaza is owned by Christopher Escobar, a passionate film advocate who also serves as the Executive Director of the Atlanta Film Society. Escobar stepped in during a critical moment, securing a long-term lease that ensured Plaza’s survival and future stability. His background in film exhibition, education, and community programming has shaped Plaza’s current mission: to preserve its historic character while expanding its role as a cultural hub.
Escobar’s leadership has brought renewed energy to the theater. He has overseen renovations, expanded programming, and strengthened partnerships with local film organizations. His stewardship reflects a belief that Plaza is not just a business but a civic asset, a place where Atlanta’s film culture can thrive.
Programming That Reflects a City’s Diversity
Plaza’s programming today is a vibrant mix that mirrors Atlanta itself. It remains a beloved home for arthouse films, cult classics, repertory screenings, and genre marathons. Midnight movies, horror festivals, and special events draw crowds who relish the communal thrill of watching something strange, beautiful, or gloriously trashy on the big screen.
At the same time, Plaza also screens current mainstream releases, giving audiences a chance to see new films in a setting that feels personal rather than corporate. This blend of the contemporary and the classic is part of what makes Plaza unique. You can catch the latest buzzy release one night and return the next evening for a 35mm print of a cult favorite.
During the height of the COVID pandemic, Plaza once again demonstrated its adaptability by launching an outdoor drive-in program. It was a lifeline for movie lovers who craved the shared experience of cinema at a time when indoor spaces were restricted. The drive-in became a symbol of Plaza’s creativity and commitment to community.
A Neighborhood Ecosystem
Plaza’s significance extends beyond its own walls. It has a long and symbiotic relationship with Videodrome, the legendary video rental store located nearby. Videodrome’s deep catalog and cinephile clientele complement Plaza’s programming, creating a neighborhood ecosystem where physical media and theatrical exhibition reinforce each other.
Plaza also shares a spiritual lineage with the Tara Theatre, another historic Atlanta cinema that has faced its own struggles. Together, these venues represent a counterbalance to the dominance of multiplex chains. They remind Atlanta residents that moviegoing can be personal, idiosyncratic, and rooted in local culture.
A Survivor in a Multiplex World
Plaza has come close to shutting down more than once. Financial strain, competition from chains, and the challenges of maintaining an aging building have all threatened its existence. Yet every time, the community has rallied. Volunteers, donors, film lovers, and local organizations have stepped in to keep the doors open.
This persistence is why Plaza holds the distinction of being the longest continuously operating independent movie theater in Atlanta. It is a survivor not because it has avoided hardship but because it has embraced reinvention without losing its soul.
Why Plaza Still Matters
In an age when streaming platforms offer endless libraries and home theaters rival small auditoriums, Plaza offers something irreplaceable. It offers presence. It offers atmosphere. It offers the electric charge of watching a film with strangers who laugh, gasp, and cheer in unison.
Multiplex chains like AMC and Regal provide convenience and scale, but they rarely provide character. Their auditoriums are interchangeable, their programming dictated by national schedules. Plaza, by contrast, feels handcrafted. Its lobby walls are adorned with movie poster art that celebrates cinema history. Its staff knows the regulars. Its audiences show up because they love movies, not because they need a place to kill time.
Going to Plaza feels like participating in a living tradition. It is cinema as a communal ritual rather than a commodity.
A Living Monument to Film Culture
Plaza Theatre is more than a historic building. It is a living monument to the power of movies and the communities that form around them. It has survived by evolving, yet it has never abandoned its core identity as a home for adventurous, passionate, and curious film lovers.
For cinephiles who adore both arthouse elegance and grindhouse grit, Plaza is a sanctuary. It is a reminder that cinema is at its best when it is shared, debated, celebrated, and experienced together. As long as its marquee continues to shine over Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta will have a place where the magic of the silver screen continues to flourish.
