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Privately Owned and Operated Since 1933

Harkins Theatres has become the largest independently owned theatre company with 32 theatre locations in four states and more than 90 years of rich history. Harkins remains the Southwest's premier entertainment company. Harkins first theatre, built in 1940 by founder Red Harkins, Valley Art® (originally named the College Theatre) is Arizona's oldest and longest operating movie theatre. Ultimately passed down to his son Dan, Harkins aims to make ultimate moviegoing an immersive event. Harkins Theatres is known for the trailblazer approach in innovative amenities, moviegoing experiences and leadership within the community.

Premier Entertainment

In 1931, Red rode out of Cincinnati determined to seek his fortune in Hollywood by landing a career in the world of talking pictures. He arrived in Tempe almost penniless, but with a new dream. It was 1933 when Red opened the first Harkins Theatre, The State Theatre in Tempe. He was just 18 years old. 
By 1940 Red built his dream movie house, the College Theatre (today's Valley Art). The College Theatre was full of fantastic innovations and  set a new standard for theaters and established a Harkins tradition of employing the latest technology to constantly improve the moviegoing experience.
When Red passed away in 1974, he left an enduring legacy of business and community service. The family theatre business was left in the hands of his eldest son, Dan.

Red Harkins

Using the same showmanship and innovative thinking his father was famous for, Dan immediately set out to expand the original chain of five theatres and upgrade every facility with a new generation of sound and projection technology. Over the next three decades, Dan dedicated himself to two goals: expanding the Harkins business and enhancing the moviegoing experience.  
 
But for all the growth and modernization he inspired, Dan never forgot the simple magic of movies. Since the beginning, Dan always looked for ways to make moviegoing an event. To expand the variety of films available to local movie connoisseurs, he created Arizona's first foreign and art film program, a Harkins tradition that continues to this day. With persistence and passion, Dan has built a reputation as a leader and innovator, both in the theatre industry and the local community.

Dan Harkins

Built-in 1940, the Harkins Valley Art® (originally named the College Theatre) is Arizona's oldest and longest operating movie theatre. In 2001 Harkins Theatres completed a $1 million renovation to the Valley Art® bringing it into the 21st century with state-of-the-art amenities - all while keeping the façade of the building intact to preserve the exterior box office, marquee and iconic neon signage. The Valley Art, which was given historical building status by the City of Tempe, is now one of the Valley's most recognized movie theatres.


Making its debut in 1966 with the film The Agony and the Ecstasy, the original Ciné Capri® was an instant hit with moviegoers.

 The auditorium was enveloped with antique gold fabric covering the proscenium and walls from carpet to ceiling. The Ciné Capri was the first theater in the southwest specifically designed to project all film aspect ratios of the time. One of the most notable engagements at the Ciné Capri was 1977's Star Wars. The Ciné Capri held one of the highest grosses for the film and played the film for over a year—the longest run in North America.

In 2003 the Ciné Capri was rebuilt to much fanfare as part of the Harkins Scottsdale 101 theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Built-in 1973, Camelview 5 was the last location opened by Red Harkins. Camelview went on to become a beloved art film powerhouse. By 2015, Harkins lease on the property expired. Vowing to build the best theatre in the country, Harkins debuted its flagship theatre Camelview at Fashion Square in 2015 with its stunning minimalist and high-tech design. Equipped with the latest technology, Camelview at Fashion Square showcases robust offerings of gourmet food, Café, the Vérité Lounge and rooftop terrace.

Celebrating over 90 years of Ultimate Moviegoing®, Harkins Theatres has become the largest independently owned theatre company in the country. Harkins Theatres is known as a trailblazer for innovative amenities such as: the CINÉ XL®, state-of-the-art digital projection and sound, curved wall-to-wall screens, Ultimate Lounger® leather reclining seats, plush Ultimate Rocker® loveseats, The Harkins Awards program, in-lobby PlayCenter, Loyalty Cups, CINÉ BAR and an expanded concessions menu.

Company Milestones

Camelview Opens (expands to Camelview 5 in 1980)

Dedicated Showings of Art/Foreign Film Programming at Camelview

Acquires Mann Theatres and General Cinema

Superstition Springs and Arizona Mills/Megaplexes

The Harkins Timeline

Awards

AAF Phoenix - Gold - Animation/Special Effects/Motion Graphics

AAF Phoenix - Bronze - Animation/Special Effects/Motion Graphics

AAF Phoenix - Silver - Animation/Special Effects/Motion Graphics

AAF District 12 - Gold - Animation/Special Effects/Motion Graphics

AAF Phoenix - Gold - Film, Video & Sound Cinema Advertising

AAF National - Silver - Animation/Special Effects/Motion Graphics

AAF District 12 - Silver - Animation/Special Effects/Motion Graphics

AAF District 12 - Silver - Ambient Media Site Interior

AAF Phoenix - Gold - Ambient Media Site Interior

AAF Phoenix - Bronze - Ambient Media Site Interior 

AAF Phoenix - Silver - Ambient Media Site Interior

American Advertising Awards

APEX Silver Award - Entertainment & Recreation

Digital Signage Expo

Harkins Camelview at Fashion Square - The Freezer

Phoenix Magazine 

Best Place to Dump the Kids While You See a Flick

Best Place to See a Movie (Reader's Pick)

Best Place to Watch a Movie (Staff Pick) 

Arizona Republic 

AZCentral.com

NEHW, Inc.

Ciné Capri® at Harkins Scottsdale 101 14

Snack Bar Trailer from Harkins Camelview 5

Best Movie Theatre & Movie Snacks (Readers' Choice)

Phoenix New Times

San Bernardino County

San Bernardino Sun / Redlands Daily

Best Movie Theatre Snack Bar (Reader's Choice) 

Best Movie Theatre Snack Bar (Editor's Pick)

Arizona Business Magazine Awards

Best Of The Northwest - Best Movie Theatre

The Explorer Newspaper

Arizona Daily Star

Your Villa

Tucson Local Media

Reader's Choice: Best of the Inland Valley 

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin 

Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Sterling Award

Arizona Foothills Magazine - Best of Our Valley

Fort Worth Child Magazine

La Voz

Living Magazine

Reader's Choice - Best of Southern California 

Los Angeles Times

Mesa Awards Program

Arizona Daily Sun

2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 & 2016

The Yuma Sun

The Daily Oklahoman

Verde Valley Favorites

El Nacional De Oklahoma

The Press Enterprise

Oklahoma Magazine

Southlake Times

Southlake Journal

Readers' Choice Award - Best Movie Theatre

Star Community Newspapers

Kids Pages Family Magazine

West Valley View

Reader's Choice Awards - Favorite Movie Theatre

Lovin' Life After 50

Tribune | Devil's Picks

Outstanding Employer of the Year (Nominated by the Center for Rehabilitation) 

City of Tempe

Moviefone's American Moviegoer Award

Progress - Tribune

Paradise Valley Independent - Paradise Picks

Arizona Senior World - Senior Choice Awards

Father Of The Year - American Diabetes Association

Spirit Of Literacy Award - Scottsdale Public Library

Scottsdale Chamber Of Commerce/Scottsdale Hall Of Fame

United Cerebral Palsy Humanitarian Of The Year

KEDJ-FM One of Arizona's Most Influential People

ITEM Magazine One Of The Southwest's Most Innovative Business People

Arizona Theatre Operators Association Leadership Award

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Finalist

Outstanding Community Service Award East Valley Boys & Girls Club

AZ Business Leadership Association Outstanding Leadership & Corporate Growth

Valley Big Brothers & Big Sisters Outstanding Community Service Award

American Institute Of Architects Community Vision Award

Annual Crittenton Cup Award - Outstanding Community Service

Box Office Magazine National Marketing Concept Award

Metro Phoenix Film Board Award For Achievement

United Motion Picture Association Of America National Showman Of The Year

Dan Harkins Awards

AZ Music & Entertainment Hall Of Fame Induction

Red Harkins Awards

History of the Southwest's premiere entertainment company.