Film Society Bourse: Showtimes, Ticket Prices & Guide

The Film Society Bourse turns a 19th-century commodities exchange into an intimate modern cinema, offering one of Philadelphia’s most distinctive moviegoing experiences. This guide covers everything you need for your visit — showtimes, tickets, parking, concessions, and accessibility.

Seats: 776 · Screens: 5 · Location: Old City, Philadelphia · Operator: Philadelphia Film Society · Year Opened (as PFS): 2021

Five key facts, one takeaway: the Film Society Bourse packs a lot of indie cinema into a compact, accessible venue. Here’s the quick-reference table.

What is the Film Society Bourse?

The Film Society Bourse is a five-screen, 776‑seat theater in the heart of Old City Philadelphia, operated by the Philadelphia Film Society (Philadelphia Film Society – Official Site). It opened as a PFS venue in 2021 after the organization took over the historic Bourse building space. The theater primarily screens independent, foreign, and documentary films, making it a go‑to spot for art‑house cinema in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Film Society – About Page).

Where is it located?

• Address: 400 Ranstead St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (Fandango – Theater Page)
• The theater is within walking distance of the SEPTA Market–Frankford Line at 2nd & Market stop (0.3 miles) (SEPTA – Visitor Guide)

How many screens does it have?

• Five screens with total seating capacity of 776 (Philadelphia Film Society – Official Site)
• Each screen typically shows 3–4 showings per day; exact count varies by film (Fandango – Theater Page)

The implication: With only 776 seats spread across five screens, the Bourse feels intimate — every show is a small‑room experience that suits the indie and foreign films it specializes in.

The implication: The Bourse’s size and programming focus on indie films make it a unique alternative to multiplex theaters in Philadelphia.

What are the showtimes and ticket prices at Film Society Bourse?

Showtimes are updated weekly and posted online at filmadelphia.org/showtimes and on Fandango (Fandango – Theater Page). Standard ticket prices range from $12 for matinees to $15 for evening shows (Philadelphia Film Society – Ticket Info). Members receive discounted tickets at $9 per show and free admission to select screenings (Philadelphia Film Society – Membership Page).

How to purchase tickets online?

• Buy tickets directly through the Philadelphia Film Society website or via Fandango (Fandango – Theater Page)
• Fandango offers double rewards on purchases and occasional promotions — e.g., one free ticket with code DGABP2 on select screenings through Oct 24, 2025 (Fandango – Theater Page)
• Box office opens 30 minutes before the first showtime of the day (PhillyTix – Event Info)

Are there discounts for students or seniors?

• Student discount: $10 tickets with valid student ID (Philadelphia Film Society – Discounts Page)
• Senior and military discounts are available; check the PFS website for current rates (Philadelphia Film Society – Ticket Info)
• Members always get the best deal — $9 per ticket plus free admission to select screenings (Philadelphia Film Society – Membership Page)

The trade‑off: Standard evening tickets ($15) are slightly cheaper than many first‑run multiplex chains in Center City, but the real savings kick in only if you become a member or catch a matinee.

What amenities are available at the Film Society Bourse?

The Bourse is a compact venue, so amenities are focused on the essentials. Here’s what to expect for food, parking, and accessibility.

What food and drinks are offered?

• Concession stand serves popcorn ($6–9), sodas ($4–6), candy ($3–5), and local craft beers ($8–10) (Philadelphia Film Society – Amenities Page)
• Vegan and gluten‑free options — popcorn and pretzels — are available (Yelp – PFS Bourse Reviews)
• No outside food or drink allowed; only concessions may be consumed inside (Philadelphia Film Society – Policies)
• No on‑site restaurant; several local eateries surround the venue in Old City (Philadelphia Film Society – Visitor Guide)

Is there parking nearby?

• Street parking is limited; nearby garages offer easier options (Philadelphia Film Society – Visitor Guide)
• Nearest garage: Independence Blue Cross RiverLink Ferry Parking at 7 N. Columbus Blvd (Philadelphia Film Society – Visitor Guide)
• Parking validation available at select lots; evening rates drop to $10–15 with validation (Philadelphia Film Distribution – Parking Info)
• Without validation, nearby garages like Market Street Garage cost $20–25 (City of Philadelphia – Parking Info)

Are there wheelchair-accessible seats?

• Yes, the theater is wheelchair accessible with companion seating available (Philadelphia Film Society – Official Site)
• Assistive listening devices are available upon request at the box office (Philadelphia Film Society – Official Site)

The catch: Parking validation requires asking at the box office before your show; it’s easy to miss if you don’t plan ahead. For visitors who rely on transit, SEPTA’s Market–Frankford Line is the most reliable option (SEPTA – Visitor Guide).

The pattern: The Bourse offers a curated indie cinema experience with practical planning tips.

How to plan your visit

1. Purchase tickets online in advance to guarantee a seat, especially for popular screenings.
2. Check showtimes on filmadelphia.org/showtimes and choose a matinee for lower prices.
3. Plan your transportation: use SEPTA Market–Frankford Line to 2nd & Market station, or drive and validate parking at the box office.
4. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to pick up tickets, order concessions, and find your seat.
5. Enjoy the show—and consider becoming a PFS member for discounts and perks.

Timeline of the Film Society Bourse

The building’s path from a commodities exchange to an indie cinema spans more than a century. Here are the key milestones:

• Late 1800s: The original Bourse building is constructed as a commodities exchange (Cinema Treasures – Theater Database).
• 2000s: The space is renovated and operates as a movie theater under various operators (Cinema Treasures – Theater Database).
• 2021: The Philadelphia Film Society takes over and rebrands it as PFS Bourse (Philadelphia Film Society – Official Site).
• Present: Operates as a five‑screen independent/art‑house cinema, screening first‑run indie films, foreign films, and documentaries (Philadelphia Film Society – About Page).

The pattern: The Bourse building has been a gathering place for Philadelphians for over a century — first for trade, now for cinema. PFS’s takeover in 2021 gave the historic space a focused, community‑driven identity.

The timeline shows the building’s long history as a gathering place.

What’s clear and what’s not

Based on available sources, here’s where we have solid ground and where details are still fuzzy.

Confirmed facts

• 5 screens, 776 seats (Philadelphia Film Society – Official Site)
• Operated by Philadelphia Film Society (Philadelphia Film Society – Official Site)
• Opened as PFS venue in 2021 (Philadelphia Film Society – Official Site)
• Located at 400 Ranstead St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (Fandango – Theater Page)
• Wheelchair accessible with companion seating (Philadelphia Film Society – Official Site)
• Standard tickets $12–15; member tickets $9 (Philadelphia Film Society – Ticket Info)
• No outside food or drink (Philadelphia Film Society – Policies)

What’s unclear

• Exact seating distribution across the five screens (Cinema Treasures – Theater Database)
• Full list of previous operators before PFS took over (Cinema Treasures – Theater Database)
• Whether parking validation is offered at all nearby garages or only a specific few (Philadelphia Film Distribution – Parking Info)
• Concession prices are specified on the official site, but not all items have exact per-item costs (e.g., candy and craft beers are given as ranges)
• The process for requesting assistive listening devices is not detailed on the official site
• Whether online ticket purchases include seat selection is not specified
• The availability of senior and military discount rates is not prominently published

The confirmed facts provide a solid foundation for planning a visit, though some details remain unconfirmed.

Quotes from the people behind the venue

“A five-screen, 776 seat theater in the heart of Old City.”

Philadelphia Film Society – Official Site (venue description)

“The theater opened in 2000 after renovation of the historic Bourse Building space.”

Cinema Treasures – Theater Database (historical note)

These two perspectives — one from the present operator, one from a theater history archive — frame the Bourse as both a modern indie hub and a historic Philly landmark.

Summary

The Film Society Bourse offers something Philadelphia has long needed: a dedicated, intimate space for independent and art‑house cinema that doesn’t feel like a corporate multiplex. Its five screens and 776 seats keep the experience personal, but the trade‑off is that popular shows sell out fast — especially during festival season. For the indie film fan in Philadelphia, the choice is clear: join the PFS membership for the $9 tickets and priority access, or plan your visit around matinees and midweek screenings to avoid sold‑out evening shows.

Frequently asked questions

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