Varsity Cinema
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Varsity Cinema
@thevarsitydsm.bsky.social
Des Moines' nonprofit community art house cinema.
www.varsitydesmoines.com
Take it from Charli, THE PLAGUE is an unforgettable cinematic experience. Now playing. 🏊‍♂️

Tickets & Showtimes: www.varsitydesmoines.com/movies/the-plague/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=or
January 3, 2026 at 7:02 PM
THE MET: LIVE in HD continues in 2026! Join us on Saturday, January 10 for I PURITANI – Presented with the Des Moines Metro Opera.

When it comes to beautiful melodies, captivating coloratura and virtuoso vocal fireworks, few operas can match the tragic love story of Elvira and Arturo in I PURITANI.
January 2, 2026 at 6:59 PM
End 2025 with one more movie at the Varsity. ✨ MARTY SUPREME and THE SECRET AGENT are now playing. (Don't worry, they'll be here next year too. 😉)

Thanks for another great year at the movies.
December 31, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Have you witnessed the pursuit of greatness? MARTY SUPREME is now playing.

🟠“Safdie is working at a remarkable technical level.” – LWL
🟠“Boasts throwback elements but leans timeless in its unlikely hero’s journey” – USA Today
🟠“The wildest damn thing Chalamet has ever put on screen” – Peter Travers
December 30, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Opening this week: a 12-year-old boy at a water polo summer camp experiences the vitriol of his peers in Charlie Polinger’s arresting feature debut THE PLAGUE.
December 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
THE SECRET AGENT is winning over moviegoers for its historical precision, subversive storytelling, and a career-best performance from Wagner Moura. Now playing.
December 26, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.

#MartySupreme starring #TimotheeChalamet is now playing.

Showtimes & tickets at: www.varsitydesmoines.com/movies/marty-supreme/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=or
December 26, 2025 at 8:57 PM
After winning big at Cannes, THE SECRET AGENT is already sweeping nominations early in awards season. In this neo-noir thriller, Marcelo (Wagner Moura) is an innocent man entangled in the dangerous regime of 1977 Brazil. Now playing at the Varsity.
December 22, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Come out for a holiday edition of HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS on Mon., Dec. 22 at 7pm! This inventive, snow-covered spectacle feels like a live-action cartoon—complete with fuzzy beaver suits, mischievous antics, and wintry chaos. Featuring a special pre-recorded holiday intro!

🎟️ Tickets: bit.ly/44GrguG
December 21, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Less than a week to go until the highly anticipated A24 film MARTY SUPREME — starring Timothée Chalamet, directed by Josh Safdie. First screenings start Wednesday, December 24.

🎟️ Get tickets: bit.ly/4aVll8U
December 20, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Watch ELF in a whole new way with a mix of trivia, animated movie lines, visual gags, and singalong fun! ELF: Buddy’s Sing & Cheer Along Edition plays this Saturday. 🎶

Tickets: www.varsitydesmoines.com/movies/elf-buddys-sing-cheer-along-edition/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=or
December 19, 2025 at 11:12 PM
*Patiently waiting for THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL to play at the Varsity* 🐸

It's almost time! Join us Sunday at 1pm or Christmas Eve at 1pm for this classic holiday film.

🎟️ Tickets at: www.varsitydesmoines.com/movies/the-muppet-christmas-carol/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=or
December 18, 2025 at 5:12 AM
THE SECRET AGENT opens TOMORROW. Master filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho teams up with renowned actor Wagner Moura in a thrillingly unpredictable, shape-shifting epic steeped in history.

Marcelo (Moura) is a man on the run from mercenary killers and the ruthless, militant spirit of 1977's Brazil.
December 17, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Lovingly dubbed “one of the worst Christmas movies of all time,” the 1964 sci-fi comedy SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS plays this Thursday at 10pm! 👽

www.varsitydesmoines.com/movies/santa-claus-conquers-the-martians/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=or
December 17, 2025 at 12:22 AM
The 2025 Cannes winner of Best Director and Best Actor, THE SECRET AGENT, opens Thursday! In 1977 Brazil, Marcelo (Wagner Moura) is a technology expert on the run, hoping to reunite with his son.

www.varsitydesmoines.com/movies/the-secret-agent/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=or
December 13, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Tonight’s showing of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (+Q&A) is almost sold out, but there are lots of seats available for Sunday’s 1pm show!

Whether it’s tradition to watch the film every year or you’re introducing the film to someone for the first time, it's a holiday classic for a reason. Now playing. 🎄
December 11, 2025 at 8:12 PM
See the film that’s winning over audiences everywhere. HAMNET is now playing.

Showtimes & tickets at: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/hamne...
December 10, 2025 at 11:39 PM
We’re bringing the Met Opera to you this Saturday with Giordano’s ANDREA CHÉNIER. This passionate tragedy of a virtuous poet falling victim to the intrigue & violence of the French Revolution is presented in partnership with the Des Moines Metro Opera.

Tickets: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/the-m...
December 10, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Are you a die-hard fan of DIE HARD? Then don't miss our Movie Bash on Tues., Dec. 16! 💥 Quote along to your favorite moments, laugh loudly, and revel in the high-octane antics of John McClane as he faces off against the notorious Hans Gruber.

Get tickets: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/die-h...
December 10, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Varsity Cinema Summer Camps are back in 2026 and they’re bigger and better than ever! We’ve added more camps and expanded to grades 4-12. Plus, we have exciting new seminars for high school cinephiles.

Registration opens January 2026! Stay tuned for more info at: www.varsitydesmoines.com/education
December 9, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Thursday is Garbage Day! 🗑️ Join us for our first holiday Midnights@10 movie, SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT PART 2. 🪓 In this 80s slasher sequel, Ricky is released from a mental hospital, taking with him the memory of his brother death, and embarks on a journey of relentless revenge.

🎟️ bit.ly/4rY4Gb0
December 8, 2025 at 1:41 AM
MARTY SUPREME. Tickets on sale NOW! First showings on December 24.

varsitydesmoines.com/movies/marty...
December 6, 2025 at 5:14 PM
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG has rolled into the Varsity for a limited time! Witness this new expertly shot film of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony-Winning musical revival, giving you a rare front-row seat to the dazzling show. Playing this weekend only.

Get tickets: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/merri...
December 5, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Opening Friday: HAMNET, directed by Chloé Zhao, starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, and based on the best-selling novel.

Witness the powerful story of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet.

Get tickets at: varsitydesmoines.com/movies/hamne...
December 3, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Celebrate the holidays with us!

🌌11th & 14th: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
🪓11th: SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT PART 2
🤠16th: DIE HARD
🛸18th: SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS
🍝20th: ELF – SING & CHEER ALONG EDITION
🐸21st & 24th: THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL
🦫22nd: HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS – A NORTHWOODS CHRISTMAS
December 2, 2025 at 1:42 AM