Since the Angelika Film Center closed, the Landmark River Oaks Theatre is the only for-profit movie house in Houston that shows art house and independent films exclusively. The first-floor theater has the feel of an elegant, old-time movie palace with a big screen, art deco friezes on each side of the screen and lots of seats. The two second-floor screens, carved out of the balcony, are cramped with less-than-optimal acoustics. But there's a full-service bar upstairs. Martinis, anyone?

Brown Auditorium at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston shows an extensive mix of classic, art, independent and foreign films in one of the best theater spaces in town. But they don't allow popcorn or drinks.

Cressandra Thibodeaux has transformed the former site of the Aurora Picture Show into a performing arts space and movie theater showing independent documentaries and little-known feature films that might not otherwise be shown in Houston.

Alamo Drafthouse West Oaks hosts a wide range of quirky indie films at regular screenings and at such events as the Houston Comedy Film Festival and SplatterFest as well as regular sing-a-longs of perennial classics like Grease and The Sound of Music.

For 40 years, the Rice Media Center on the Rice University campus has shown an eclectic mix of independent films. 

The AMC Studio 30 multiplex usually reserves several screens for buzzed-about independent films.