art house

American  

[ahrt hous] / ˈɑrt ˌhaʊs /

noun

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

---

art house British  

noun

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

---

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

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

From BBC • Aug. 14, 2025

This year’s nominees skew toward smaller and more art house fare.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 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

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