History

The Ohio Theatre was built in 1938. For decades, this was a site for the community to come together to enjoy a show, snacks, and the ambiance of a historic landmark.

In December of 1958, Some Came Running starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Shirley MacLaine, premiered at this venue. To commemorate the event, a Hollywood Star was placed out in front of the theatre to honor the stars and the movie which was filmed in Madison.

The theatre is remembered fondly for its free summer movie series enjoyed by youth from around the region, smells of fresh-popped popcorn wafting out the doors and into the bustling traffic Main Street.

Restoration

Sadly, in June of 2018, the roof of the theatre caught fire. A group of locals banned together and formed The Friends of the Ohio Theatre and established themselves as a non-profit dedicated to the revitalization of this beloved historic landmark where so many memories were made. If you’d like to donate to the cause, click here.

In early 2024, the newly restored marquee was revealed in a community-wide event. Currently, the original seats of the theatre have been removed and are being reupholstered.

Check out the Ohio Theatre’s Facebook page to stay up to date on the continued restoration process!

Special Events

Even as the Friends of the Ohio work tirelessly to restore this landmark to its former glory, there is no shortage of events!

Home to the MadHop Music Festival, seasonal movie series, comedy shows, live theatre performances, and musical guests, there is always a special event lighting up the marquee.

Most notably is the annual Horror at the Ohio Film Festival that takes place Halloween weekend.

You can also check out the Ohio Theatre’s Facebook page to stay in the know on all special events.

Madison in the Movies

If you’re looking to explore more of Madison’s role in the movies, check out our “Madison in the Movies” Walking tour. You can view it digitally, or stop by the Visitors Center for a copy!