Cinema entertainment in San Francisco
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Mitchell Brothers O’Farrell Theater
This infamous strip joint remains open, long after one of the founding brothers murdered the other. Jim and Artie Mitchell opened the theater in 1969 and began making porno, including the legendary Deep Throat, starring Marilyn Chambers. At its prime, the Mitchells’ multimillion-dollar empire included a production company and 11 California theaters. But the Mitchell brothers went the way of Cain and Abel, when Jim shot and killed Artie in 1991. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and served six years; a heart attack killed him in 2007. Despite its tawdry background, the O’Farrell Theater is generally regarded as a classy place (with a capital k). Even if you don’t …
reviewed
-
B
Castro Theatre
The Mighty Wurlitzer organ rises from the orchestra pit before the evening performance, and the audience cheers and whistles as the organist plays classics from the Great American Songbook. If there’s a gay cult classic on the bill, such as Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, expect full audience participation. Otherwise, the crowd is well behaved and rapt. San Franciscans are wary of the seat beneath the giant chandelier, but film fests and Fellini tributes fill every available chair. Note: sound is echoey in the balcony.
reviewed
-
C
Bridge Theater
One of the city’s few remaining single-screen theaters, the Bridge shows an international lineup of independent films. Weekends in summer, at midnight, the Bridge hosts Midnight Mass, featuring camp, horror and B-grade movies, such as Showgirls and Mommie Dearest, with each screening preceded by a drag show spoofing the film. Local celeb Peaches Christ wrangles the always-raucous crowd; reserve ahead.
reviewed
-
D
Roxie Cinema
The Roxie carries major clout with cinemaniacs for helping distribute and launch Hong Kong films Stateside, and for showing controversial films and documentaries banned elsewhere in the US. You never can predict the Roxie. Matt Groenig may show up to introduce a Simpsons film festival, and the audience will likely throw popcorn during the screening of the Academy Awards.
reviewed
-
E
Embarcadero Center Cinema
Blockbusters do nothing for the cinephile crowds at the Embarcadero – instead, people queue up for the latest Almodóvar film and whatever won best foreign film at the Oscars. The snack bar caters to discerning tastes with good local coffee, fair-trade chocolate and popcorn with real butter. Spoiler alert: aficionado audiences discuss reviews before and after films.
reviewed
-
F
Clay Theater
In business since 1913, the single-screen Clay regularly screens a mix of both independent and foreign films. The crowd is quite civilized: the Clay is in fancy Specific Whites…err, Pacific Heights. On Saturdays (and occasionally Fridays) at midnight, look for classics like Rocky Horror Picture Show.
reviewed
-
G
Four Star Theater
Long before John Woo, Ang Li and Wong Kar-wai hit multiplex marquees, they brought down the house in the Four Star’s postage-stamp-sized screening rooms. This diminutive cinema is still the audience testing ground for emerging Hong Kong and Taiwan cinema, and also shows double features.
reviewed
-
H
Dolores Park Movie Night
At Mission Dolores Park, free outdoor screenings of new films and cult classics are made better by the appearance of beloved SF icon the Tamale Lady (say yes to the hot sauce – it’s not that strong). Donations accepted. Bring a blanket and warm coat, and arrive early.
reviewed
-
I
AMC Loews Metreon 16
Housed in a mega-entertainment complex, the 16-screen Metreon has stadium reclining seats, digital projection screens and an IMAX theater. Downstairs are multiple shops and restaurants, but the wandering packs of loud teenagers are annoying to mellow types.
reviewed
-
J
Lumiere Theater
Right off Polk St, the rough-at-the-edges Lumiere has one large screening room and two smaller rooms, all with seats that need replacing. But we love the programming – a mix of first-run art-house, foreign and documentary films.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Sundance Kabuki Cinema
The silver screen gone green, from recycled-fiber reserved seating to local Hangar vodka cocktails served in the Auditorium 1 Balcony Bar.
reviewed
-
L
Red Vic Movie House
Collectively owned and operated for decades, the Red Vic has preserved a funky ’70s vibe right down to the dilapidated couch seating and popcorn served in faux-wood snack bowls with optional brewer’s yeast. Surfer flicks, punk rockumentaries and movies by local filmmakers pack the place, so get in line if you hope to avoid the too-deep seats with busted springs.
reviewed
