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

Speaking of Stan’s Bucky Barnes, is there any hope that anything in the program might break out of the art house and into the mainstream?

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

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

Hanlon agreed that niche players such as Curiosity Stream, which specializes in documentary programming, and art house film specialists Criterion Collection, can continue to chug along as the bigger players battle it out.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

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

From BBC • Aug. 14, 2025

On paper, director Edward Berger’s adaptation of Robert Harris’ novel, about the behind-the-scenes political maneuvering involved in selecting a new pope, seems exactly like the kind of grown-up drama that suffers at today’s art house.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2025