The Rosebud Cinema in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin is reopening Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

Located at 68th & North Avenue, the single-screen movie theater has been closed since March 2020, when all theaters across the country closed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It is operated by Neighborhood Theater Group, which also operates the Times Cinema nearby and the Avalon Theatre on the south side of Milwaukee.

In a press release issued recently by the company, owner Lee Barczak was quoted as saying:

“After much work and amazing community support, we are pleased to be able to be in a position to open the doors once again at the Rosebud Cinema,” Barczak said. “It has always been a goal to bring first-run movies and events back to Wauwatosa and are excited to reach that goal."

The movie theater holds a special place in the community. It originally opened in 1931 as the Tosa Theater. It was the first theater in Milwaukee operated by Ben Marcus, founder of Marcus Theatres Corporation. Marcus sold it in 1996 to Elizabeth Figuroa and Jim Farr. Jay Hollis bought the theater in 1999 and renamed it to the Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse. It was sold in 2012 to Lee Barczak of the Neighborhood Theater Group. It was rebranded to the Rosebud Cinema in 2021.

Showtimes

Take a look at the Showtimes page for the Rosebud Cinema to see what is playing and when.

Until now, moviegoers in the area have needed to visit one of the other nearby theaters, including the AMC Mayfair Mall 18 in Wauwatosa. Until recently, they were going to the Times Cinema at 59th & Vliet Street, but that theater (also operated by Neighborhood Theater Group) recently stopped showing movies on a regular basis.

Theater Photos

If you would like to see a historical photo tour of the theater, please visit the Photo Gallery for the Rosebud Cinema, where we have photos that go back to 1999!

Related News Articles

• It's finally happening: The Rosebud Cinema is reopening! -- OnMilwaukee [Feb 8, 2024]
• Rosebud Cinema to reopen in January, according to website -- WISN [Nov 30, 2023]

Press Release

Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse to Re-Open February 14

Local cinema to re-open with Sony/Marvel’s Madame Web

Wauwatosa, February 8, 2024: Neighborhood Theater Group, LLC., along with owners Lee Barczak and Jane Schilz, are excited to announce that the Rosebud Cinema will re-open its door for first-run film entertainment on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. The cinema will be opening with the new Sony/Marvel superhero film Madame Web.

“After much work and amazing community support, we are pleased to be able to be in a position to open the doors once again at the Rosebud Cinema,” Barczak said. “It has always been a goal to bring first-run movies and events back to Wauwatosa and are excited to reach that goal.

Having been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rosebud Cinema will be the third theater for Neighborhood Theater Group, LLC. To open since 2020 due to the pandemic.

“We cannot thank the community enough for their support during this time and we are excited to see them back at the movies,” Barczak added.