art house

American  

[ahrt hous] / ˈɑrt ˌhaʊs /

noun

1. a movie theater specializing in the exhibition of art films.

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art house British  

noun

1. a cinema which specializes in showing films which are not part of the commercial mainstream

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adjective

1. 1. of or relating to such films or a cinema which specializes in showing them

   2. ( as modifier )

      the surprise art-house hit of the season

Etymology

Origin of art house

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Pierce Brosnan starred in 1999 art house caper The Thomas Crown Affair, which itself was a remake of a 1968 film of the same title.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

There’s a world where they live somewhere, whether it’s in small art house cinemas or whatever.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

"It's been limited to coastal New York viewers through art house films," he says.

From BBC • Aug. 14, 2025

He continues to do French films amid the summer blockbusters and American art house pictures.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2025

But the acclaimed filmmaker behind pictures such as “Tangerine,” “The Florida Project” and “Red Rocket” is also among the great champions of the art house theater experience.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2024