We usually run between 6 and 8 minutes of trailers before the start of the main feature. If you are coming for a 7PM film, your feature will usually start between 7:06 and 7:08.
We don’t have too many ads and trailers so we suggest you get here early to buy concessions and find your seat. Seating begins around 20-25 minutes before showtime and we have a Pre-Show loop on the screen until showtime so we promise you won’t be bored!
We do have gift cards available in any amount. Gift cards can be used for both tickets and concessions and never expire. They can be purchased at our concession stand or online from our website at the link HERE. When you purchase online, we can hold the gift card at the box office for pick up or mail it to any address you provide.
There is plenty of free parking all around our business and the other businesses on Foundy Street. Even during very busy times, when spots directly in front of the Grail are full, there is plenty of overflow parking all around. You can refer to our location page HERE for more specific directions to the theater and Foundy Street.
We do sell out for some special shows or popular times for big new releases (Opening night at 7PM for POOR THINGS or the first weekend of a current blockbuster) but, you are usually able to get a ticket if you arrive about 15 or 20 minutes early. Most of the time pre-purchasing tickets for a regularly scheduled show during the week is not necessary. You are always welcome to buy your tickets early online or at our box office to save yourself the online fee. Because we offer the ability to purchase tickets ahead online and at the box office, we can not reserve seats by name alone or sell tickets over the phone. Tickets must be purchased to ensure a seat.
Having said all of that - we do suggest that if there is a film you really want to see, at a specific time you want to see it, or you plan to come with friends - buy your tickets in advance. Sell-Outs can be unpredictable!
We like to think of ourselves as dog friendly. We love dogs. We do not, however, allow dogs into the theater for movies. We do comply with and follow standard rules and regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for Service Animals. Service dogs are allowed in the theater, but therapy and emotional support animals are not included.
All friendly pups are allowed in our lobby area as you browse snacks and merch.
We do not allow outside food or drink into the theaters. We offer all types of non-alcoholic beverages along with local beer, wine, and cider. We also offer yummy theater concessions and local snack items to choose from.
We appreciate your support of our concessions stand which helps us bring a wide variety of movies to Asheville. It also supports the local businesses whose products we sell.
Yes! Our popcorn seed is gluten-free, vegan, and grown from non-genetically modified seed. We use 100% coconut oil and Seasoning which is also Vegan, Non-GMO and certified Kosher.
We do not have reserved seating. Seating in the theaters is on a first come, first served basis. Auditoriums usually open 20-25 minutes before showtime for seating.
We're proud to accept the Go Local Card which offers special rewards at more than 500 area independent businesses like ours! When you present your current Go Local Card at the concession stand, you can receive 25% off the price of either any size popcorn or fountain drink. Each purchase of a Go Local Card supports Asheville City schools.
Along with all of the streaming services Amazon and Netflix provide, they are also in the movie distribution business. This means that they acquire and distribute independent films in theaters along with making them available at home to stream for a fee or by using their service. Many movies we have shown have been distributed by Amazon Studios, Netflix, Apple, etc. These films usually follow a standard "theatrical window"- which means they will be shown exclusively in theaters before moving to streaming. Some independent films have shorter "theatrical windows" which means they may only be available exclusively in theaters for a short time or available both at home and in theaters concurrently. We may be biased, but we still believe in the power of seeing a film in the theater when possible.
Just a few of the films we have been proud to show in our theater (that should be watched in a theater) that fit this description - MARRIAGE STORY, THE IRISHMAN, Guillermo del Toro’s PINOCCHIO, ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, THE POWER OF THE DOG, BEAUTIFUL BOY, CODA, THE KILLER, MAESTRO, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON among others…..
While it is always a good idea to check our daily movie schedule, we are open during all major holidays, and as a matter of fact, they are some of our biggest days of the year. It seems families love to come to movies together on the holidays. It's a great activity that everyone can do together, and if its a good movie, you have a lot to talk about afterwards. If you're someone who doesn't celebrate, movies are a fantastic choice too to get out of the house, and we love to see friendly and familiar faces!
We play films as long as attendance supports. If you're excited about a film and want to support it, you can make a difference by prioritizing it opening weekend. This shows the filmmakers that you care about their work. We decide on Mondays whether or not we are able to hold a film over another week, so showing up opening weekend for a film you want to see is key! Most of our larger studio films are booked for a minimum of 2 weeks (and often longer). You can always ask which movies might be leaving soon and which we expect to hold into the coming week.
You can sign up for our weekly email newsletter on this website. (Look over on the right side of this page or email us at grailmoviehouse@gmail.com to request to be added). You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Our theater and staff are pretty small so we don't have someone standing by and answering the phones. We do receive a message when a voicemail message is left, and we WILL return your call. Our recording tells the daily schedule and gives information about special events and parking. If you have a specific questions and you leave a message for us be sure to give us your name and phone number so we can return your call. We are usually pretty fast if you need us, and we're fast with email responses too. Email us at grailmoviehouse@gmail.com with any questions or needs.
