Movie Theater Website Design

The Minor Theatre in Arcata, CA, is one of the oldest movie theaters in the U.S.—and one of the few that once hosted Houdini. When its new owners took the reins in 2016, they needed a website that honored its century-old legacy while providing a modern, mobile-first experience for moviegoers.

As a freelance web designer and developer, I led the complete website redesign—integrating real-time showtimes, streamlined ticketing, and rental features to match the upgraded in-theater experience.

The goal: bring Minor Theatre into the digital age without losing its old-school charm.

They needed a website that could:

• Reflect the venue’s rich history and visual identity
• Provide real-time updates for showtimes, trailers, and events
• Offer seat-side food & beverage menus
• Facilitate ticket purchases, private rentals, and specialty events like the MET Opera
• Handle e-commerce features like digital gift cards

Everything had to be intuitive for guests—especially on mobile—and easy for staff to manage behind the scenes.

I delivered a mobile-friendly, visually immersive website with powerful tools built into a user-centric interface:

• Showtimes & Ticketing Integration
  Real-time movie data via third-party API, complete with trailers, synopses, and booking.
• Private Rental Booking System
  A custom back-end dashboard and front-end form made it easy to schedule private events.
• Interactive Menu
  A digital food & drink menu helped showcase the in-theater dining experience.
• Gift Card & Seasonal Ticketing
  E-commerce features allowed secure purchasing for gift cards and special events—with a visual seat map for assigned-seating shows like the MET Opera.

Since the website redesign, Minor Theatre has seen:

• Increased direct bookings for both standard films and specialty shows
• Positive feedback on usability—especially for mobile and older patrons
• Higher engagement with private rentals and in-theater food orders
• A restored digital presence that balances nostalgia with convenience

The site brings the venue’s charm to life—while giving modern guests what they expect from a movie-going experience.

“Andrew has been the mastermind behind our theatre’s online revival, intertwining our rich history with a sleek, user-centric web presence. His digital marketing services and innovative approach has not only revived the Minor Theatre’s legacy but has also introduced a new dimension of cinematic indulgence for our guests.” – Joshua Neff, Proprietor, Minor Theatre.