About the Maplewood Film Society

  • The Maplewood Theater opens on March 15, 1927. Designed by architect William Lehman, it had more than 1400 seats.

  • Broadway producer Cheryl Crawford started bringing NYC-quality stage plays here — 48 in total.

  • Actor Paul Robeson had the speakers directed at the performers — inventing the first stage monitor.

  • Our theater had the exclusive rights to screen Jaws in Northern New Jersey. Lines snaked down to Baker Street, as audiences piled in to see CHS grad actor Roy Scheider’s hit film.

It all began with a conversation among friends, bonding about how much we miss having a movie theater in our town.

In 2020, after 92 years of being a cultural presence in the heart of our town, the Maplewood Movie Theater closed. In 2024, the Town Committee revealed plans to redevelop the property, plans that may not necessarily include a movie theater in its future. Eager to ensure that an indie film theater remains a part of our culturally-forward community, the Maplewood Film Society was formed.

A brief history of the Maplewood Movie Theater.

OUR MISSION

Want to know more about our mission and the case for bringing an independent movie theater back to Maplewood?

Read our statement here.

Help us bring movies back to Maplewood.

 

Every little bit helps.

We can’t do this alone. Join us!

Meet the Team

  • Angela Matusik

    Co-founder, President

  • Lisa Cohen

    Co-founder, Secretary

  • Jay De Bari

    Board Member, CFO

  • Felice Ecker

    Board Member

In the news

  • The Movies Are Coming To Maplewood for One Magical Night — NJ Monthly

    Backyard Movie Night Looks To Revive Movie Culture in Town — TAPintoSOMA

    Maplewood is Having an Outdoor Movie Night, But It’s Kind Of a Protest — NJ105

  • Maplewood Residents Fight To Save Historic Movie Theater — NewJersey News12

    Maplewood Movie Theater Attracts Potential Buyer — The Village Green

    Residents Plead For Theater as Redevelopment Plan is Unveiled — Essex News Daily

  • The Woodland Hosts a Screening of The Apprentice — Essex News Daily

    Maplewood Film Society and SOMA Action Host Exclusive Screening of The Apprentice — The Village Green

  • NJ Movie Theaters Adapt to Survive in Steaming Era — Bergen Record

    Movie Theaters Need Saving. Small Towns Have Figured it Out — NYTimes

    Audiences Want More Independent Movie Theaters, Study Says — IndieWire

Contact us.

maplewoodfilmsociety@gmail.com