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

The San Fernando Valley native is a brilliant director who has made sprawling, messy epics about imperfect people synonymous with his name, like John Ford with Westerns or A24 with art house flicks.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

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

From BBC • Aug. 14, 2025

Speaking at a Southwark Council licensing meeting, Mr Burke said the venue would give visitors "access to art house and independent film".

From BBC • Sep. 19, 2024

Locally, the Northwest Film Forum, a nonprofit art house theater on Capitol Hill, is also jazzing up its calendar.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 2024

It’s part art house, but Staples insists it’s also just him.

From New York Times • Feb. 13, 2024