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

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

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