MOVIES
Historic Howell Theater, nearing 100, hits market for $1.2 million
Howell’s two-screen movie theater first opened in 1928
Adam GrahamThe Detroit News
July 13, 2026, 2:24 p.m. ET
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Howell’s nearly 100-year-old movie theater is up for sale
The Historical Howell Theater, which was built in 1927, has hit the market for $1.2 million, according to an online listing. The two-screen independent theater complex — one theater has 212 seats, the other 157 — went on sale on June 30
Owner/ operator Tyler DePerro has been running the theater since 2014. When he came in, the theater had been closed for more than a year, and had been operating off and on for the previous several years
Under DePerro, the theater has shown the latest blockbusters, while he also leaned the theater’s programming toward cult films, indie fare and classic cinema, drawing film lovers from across Michigan and the surrounding territories
The theater will remain in operation until a buyer is found, DePerro said in a statement
“I am ready to move on, but my deepest wish is to hand the keys to an individual or group with the vision and passion to guide this community treasure to its 100th birthday and beyond,” DePerro said. “But until then it will be business as usual with events and movies until we find the right fit.”
The theater originally opened on Dec. 11, 1928. The first movie shown at the Howell was “Show People,” King Vidor’s comedy starring Marion Davis and William Haines, and the Howell was the first movie theater in Livingston County to show talkies
Under DePerro, the theater added new state-of-the-art digital projectors while upgrading the sound and screens. He also reconfigured the concession area installed new carpet and flooring. The theater’s marquee was restored in 2019, thanks in part to a Kickstarter campaign
Two new stages with upgraded power and backstage access were added to help transform the space into a hub for live music and events
Above the theater are three renovated downtown lofts which currently generate $4,175 a month, according to the sales listing
The theater is currently showing “Supergirl” and “Minions & Monsters,” and Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” opens on Thursday. Upcoming showings include “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” (July 30), “Magic Mike” (Aug. 3) and a 40th anniversary screening of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2,” featuring appearances by cast members Bill Moseley and Caroline Williams (Aug. 22)
DePerro’s favorite annual event is his 12-hour horror movie marathon, which is still scheduled for its 11th annual run in October. He also started a movie group, the Historic Howell Theater Film Society, in 2019
DePerro says since he’s been on board, the theater has poured thousands of soft drinks and popped more than 12.5 tons of popcorn
He hopes the next owner keeps the popcorn popping
“I have always viewed my role here as that of a lighthouse keeper,” DePerro said in his statement. “I stepped in when this beautiful landmark was in danger of dark screens and a forgotten future, and I’ve kept the flame burning bright
“Now, it’s time for me to pass the torch.”
