About The Hi-Pointe Theatre

Theatre Rentals

Hi-Pointe Theatre and Backlot Theatre

Both theaters are available for private rentals. Rentals are subject to CSL staff approval. To inquire about pricing and availability, please contact Joe Klein, Cinema St. Louis' Theatre Manager, at 314-200-5621 or joe@cinemastlouis.org. 

 

Accessibility

Facility Accessibility

The Hi-Pointe Theatre’s lobby, restrooms, and concession stand are all wheelchair-accessible, both auditoriums have reserved seating for guests who use wheelchairs.

Assistive Technologies

Assistive technologies can be checked out and returned at the main concession stand. Please note that closed-captioning and descriptive-narration availability is determined by film distributors, so films we screen might not be enabled for systems.

Amenities

In addition to a full-service concession stand stocked with popcorn, candy, soft drinks, and other snacks, the Hi-Pointe Theatre will soon offer a full range of local beers and wines (liquor license pending). Guests are welcome to enjoy bar beverages and other concessions in our auditoriums.

The Hi-Pointe Main Theatre is equipped with:

  • 414 seats
  • 2K digital projection with 3D
  • 35mm projection
  • Dolby Digital Sound

The Hi-Pointe Backlot Theatre is equipped with:

  • 48 seats each
  • 2K digital projection
  • Dolby Digital Sound

FAQ's

How do I know which screen is which in your listings?
Easy! The Hi-Pointe Theatre is our main house, while the Hi-Pointe Backlot is our smaller-capacity boutique theater located directly behind the main house.

 

What's showing at the Hi-Pointe Theatre right now? Where can I get descriptions of the films?
Check out the Now Playing section on the homepage or the Coming Soon page to learn which films are currently showing and which will be arriving soon. Each film page contains a brief description of the film.

How early should I arrive for a typical showing?
We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes prior to a film's start time so you have time to get your ticket, purchase concessions, find a seat, get comfy, and turn off your phone. Doors open 30 minutes prior.

How will I know if a movie showtime is sold out?
Check the film's detail page. If a given showtime is sold out and tickets can no longer be purchased, the show time will be grayed out, and you will be unable to add tickets to your cart. You can also call the box office during business hours. To reach the HI-POINTE THEATRE during business hours: 314-644-1100. To reach the HI-POINTE BACKLOT during business hours: 314-833-5307.

Where should I park? How can I get to the theatre?

Theatre patrons have multiple parking options! The Backlot Theatre offers 20 parking spots, including handicapped-accessible parking. When this may not be enough, there is additional parking on the street. In addition, Lindell Bank is partnering with Cinema St. Louis to offer our patrons free parking in their lots outside of banking hours. This lot is located just across McCausland from the main house and is open to our guests after 6 pm M-F, after 12 pm on Saturday, and all day on Sunday. Please use the crosswalk at the intersection to safely cross to the theatre.
 

History

The Hi-Pointe Theatre

1005 McCausland Ave.

An understated and wonderful St. Louis gem, the Hi-Pointe Theatre was built in 1922. The theater is located at the incredible intersection of Interstate 64, Clayton Road, Clayton Avenue, McCausland Avenue, Forest Avenue, Oakland Avenue, and Skinker Boulevard, today also the home of the world’s largest Amoco sign, and just at the southwest corner of Forest Park. Taking its name from the surrounding neighborhood, it is the highest point in the City of St. Louis. Unlike other theaters of its time, the Hi-Pointe was always intended to show movies—not vaudeville or plays—on the big screen in a huge, comfortable auditorium.

During the early days of cinema, the Warner Bros. Circuit of Theatres operated the Hi-Pointe, followed by Fanchon & Marco, St. Louis Amusement, and St. Louis’s Arthur Enterprises.

St. Louisans George and Georgia James have owned the theater since the 1970s. Their daughter Diana, and her husband Bill Grayson, have taken over the operation and are continuing the family tradition these days.

The theater has benefited from many renovations over its history. The aquamarine seating, a longtime favorite of St. Louis moviegoers, was added in 1963 and recently refurbished. Today, the theater boasts a huge new screen and explosive Dolby Digital sound while preserving the theater’s historic and neighborhood feel. This includes a cozy lobby, turquoise curtains, updated second-floor restrooms, and men’s urinals noted by the Riverfront Times as “best in St. Louis.”

As the oldest continuously operating single-screen movie theater in the St. Louis metropolitan area, the Hi-Pointe is proud to continue its 100-year tradition today. Moviegoers from all over the region love the Hi-Pointe, and it’s frequently voted St. Louis’s favorite theater.

See the newest movies in style at the oldest theater in St. Louis!

The Hi-Pointe Backlot

1002 Hi-Pointe Place

Opened in 2015, the Hi-Pointe Backlot is on the second floor of the building directly behind the Hi-Pointe Theatre. The open space features natural light framed by the original brick walls of the building. Its cozy lobby serves as a gathering place with several small tables, a bar, ticketing space, and concessions.

The theater itself is perfect for cinephiles. The walls and ceiling are black, devoid of the tacky colors and strange designs of the multiplexes. The seats feature convenient armrests and drink holders and are the latest in comfort.

At first glance one notices that this is a welcome space for both casual and serious movie lovers. In addition to the latest in sight and sound, the forty-eight-seat room is crowned with a comfy leather couch located at the front of the house and a movie screen measuring 19 feet wide by 8 feet tall.

Present Day and Beyond

Cinema St. Louis (CSL) is humbled to be carrying on such a rich tradition of film in St. Louis through its acquisition of the  Hi-Pointe Theatre as the new base of operations and programming in 2023. 

The James family shared: “After 45 years of owning the beloved Hi-Pointe Theatre, we have decided that it is time to end our run. We have been blessed to share this theater with 3 generations of our family and have had the privilege of helping it reach the magical age of 100 years. We know that Cinema St Louis is the perfect sequel to our story. They share the same passion and vision, and we are confident that they will be able to carry on our family's legacy for the next 100 years. We thank you for your continued patronage, dedication, and support through the years. We will miss you all.”