Orange County residents find that theater choices for indie film enthusiasts are rather limited. Having said that, there are actually a few great movie theaters that have good selections of indie films available. My top pick, perhaps due to its proximity to where I live, is Regal University theaters. Located in Irvine, across from University of California Irvine, this particular theater screens almost exclusively indie films, unlike some other theaters that mix Indies and Hollywood blockbusters.
The selection of films shown at this theater is quite good for Orange County. Visit their website here for show times and tickets. The location of the theater is ideal, it is in a shopping center that has a nice variety of shops, a gym, etc. It gets a little crowded at the typical times, Friday and Saturday around 7:00pm showings. I like to come mid-afternoons and then stop by the coffee shop for a cup of coffe or the Veggie Grill where you can find some great vegeterian food just a couple doors down.
The other movie theater that I have frequented often is The Regency South Coast Village located in Santa Ana though most who live in the area would not admit to it and rather prefer to call the location South Coast Metro. The location of this theater is excellent as it is located across from South Coast Plaza and is surrounded by great Restaurants and other entertainment. The theater is just a short distance from the 405 and the 55 freeways which makes it easy to get to. The theater itself is on the small side, there are only two screening rooms. The ambiance is very much that of an independent small theater which is a welcome change from the larger chains. The selection of films here is very eclectic, they have great internationals and indies. They also will screen some of the good American classics on Wednesdays which is a nice treat for a lot of people.
I should also make mention of another Regency theater located in Lido/ Newport Beach, it’s called Regency Lido Theater. This a fun theater, single auditorium, it is a double decker which is unusual in theaters in Orange County. This feature is perhaps attributed to the theater’s age, it was built at least in 1938 when the theater opened, perhaps earlier. This makes it one of the oldest theaters in the county and one of the most quaint. Visit their website for some interesting background. The theater is in a great location as well, Lido Island, surrounded by quite a few restaurants and walking distance to the beach. This theater usually has a younger crowd and like the Regency South Coast Village, a nice break from the larger chains.
Indie movie buffs probably will make the trek to LA where you can find a much better selection of films and theaters. Nevertheless, the theaters I covered are a great source of quality films and a fun entertainment experience.