The National Film Theatre began operating in Edmonton, Alberta in 1971. The National Film Theatre/Edmonton was a repertory theatre for films operating under the auspices of the Canadian Film Archives. The National Film Theatre/Edmonton screened films in a structured program of international cinema, both classical and contemporary, grouped according to themes, cinematic genres or techniques, periods or countries of origins, directors, actors, writers, camera persons, etc. These programs were meant to encourage and further the appreciation of cinema as a popular and significant form of art and means of communication. The National Film Theatre/Edmonton was incorporated under the Societies Act on February 7, 1977, to promote cinema appreciation. In December 1985, the National Film Theatre/Edmonton suspended their screening activities, and subsequently revised their constitution to operate on a smaller scale, screening their films at the Roxy Theatre until the Roxy's closure in 1987.

Begun in about 1980, the Ciné-club francophone pour adultes aimed to promote francophone films in Edmonton. The Club was incorporated March 18, 1987 as Club Cinephile d'Edmonton under the Societies Act. Under its new name, the Club Cinephile d'Edmonton, a non-profit cultural organization, aimed to promote francophone movies and movies in general, to develop recognition of the importance of film programs, and afford the opportunity for educational activities in film production and film programs.

In October 1988, the Club Cinephile d'Edmonton and the National Film Theatre/Edmonton decided to amalgamate. The name they chose to amalgamate under was Metro Cinema. The amalgamation became official on March 14, 1989 when the National Film Theatre/Edmonton's name was changed to the Metro Cinema Society according to the Societies Act. Metro Cinema is devoted to the exhibition and promotion of Canadian, international and independent film and video in Edmonton.