Milwaukee has lost yet another spot for regular movie showings, as The Times Cinema announced today that it is pivoting away from weekly film programming and will instead move toward hosting private and public events.

"We are doing some shifting with programming at the Times Cinema," says a Facebook post from the Times Cinema. "Going forward, we will be utilizing the venue to hold special public or private events in place of regularly scheduled repertory films. To everyone who has come to the Times, THANK YOU for your support and patience. In this adjustment, we hope to bring you great events that you'll want to come to be part of!"

What kind of events the new shift will entail at The Times Cinema, found at 5906 W. Vliet St., has yet to be seen or announced. However, film appears to still be at least somewhat involved in the theater's future, mostly in the form of special one-off movie screenings such as the long-running WMSE Friday Night Freak Show film series. The monthly cinematic showcase currently has dates on the theater's schedule for 1985's "Krush Groove" (Feb. 16), Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas" (March 15) and John Waters' "Cry-Baby" (April 19).

The Times Cinema also confirmed that it will still serve as a movie venue for the upcoming Milwaukee Film Festival. 

The shift at The Times Cinema comes as neighbors and Milwaukee cinephiles continue to await the reopening of the Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse on the city's west side. The theater closed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 and, unlike the Neighborhood Theater Group's other two locations, hasn't reopened since. However, there has been recent movement and progress toward opening its doors once again soon. Meanwhile, the Avalon in Bay View, reopened in September 2020, continues to show first-run movies and special reperatory screenings. 

While The Times isn't closing and will still feature special film screenings, the move still marks yet another blow to habitual Milwaukee movie-going, adding yet another film venue either closing or moving away from regularly scheduled weekly showings since 2020's shutdowns. Over the years since the pandemic, the Milwaukee area has lost several cinematic options, including the Fox Bay Cinema Grill in fall of 2020, the Downer Theatre last fall and three Marcus Theatres locations – the Showtime in Franklin, the Milwaukee-based Southgate and the Saukville cinema – all during 2023. 

For more information on The Times Cinema's schedule – or to book a public or private event in the space – visit its website. And for info on what's showing in remaining Milwaukee movie theaters, click here.