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San Francisco Movie Theaters

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AMC 1000 Van Ness  

1000 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94109
Cross Street : O'Farrell Street
Phone: (415) 922-4262

Of all San Francisco movie theaters, the quintessential multiplex with 14 screens from which to choose a current movie.

An unhelpful staff and a crowd that seems more interested in cell-phone conversations than sitting through a movie can be annoying. However, all of the theaters have been designed with stadium seating so that everyone can easily see the screen. The theaters also feature love seat-style seating with arm rests that can be moved to make room for moviegoers intent on cuddling.

Act I & II Cinemas  

2128 Center St
Berkeley, CA  94704
Cross Street : Shattuck Avenue
Phone: (510) 843-3456

A bastion of foreign and hard-to-find films. Unlike other San Francisco movie theaters, this movie house, located near the shops and cafes in downtown Berkeley, typically hosts foreign and art films and films in limited release. Two screens play to slightly dilapidated arenas, but once the lights are out, you'll only be thinking about your movie. The theater features weekend and Monday matinees; the box office opens shortly before the day's first showing.

Castro Theatre  

429 Castro St
San Francisco, CA  94114-2019
Cross Street : Market Street
Phone: (415) 621-6120
Price: Adult $8; seniors $5; children $5

Adventurous programming, live organ music and a dash of movie magic. One of the most original and old San Francisco movie theaters, the theater has been renovated since its heyday in the '20s and '30s, the original art deco design of the interior is still intact. Two red-carpeted staircases flanking the lobby lead to a spacious balcony, and the theater itself boasts elaborate murals combining Roman, Asian and Arabic art motifs. The small balcony terraces to the side of the screen and the chandelier hanging from the ceiling's center give the theater a regal look. Most nights feature double bills ranging from noir trash to Euro classics. Where else but at the Castro can you see a Stanley Kubrick revival one night and a John Waters retrospective the next? Many of the Bay Area's film fests unveil their global finds here, and there's nothing quite like discovering a previously unknown gem while sitting in the dark with a full house of movie junkies.

Century 25 Union City at Union Landing  

32100 Alvarado Blvd
Union City,  CA   94587
Phone: (510) 487-9593
Price: Adult: $9.00

Like at most popular San Francisco movie theaters the screens are large with the latest sound systems. Nice stadium seats finish it off. Overall a very good movie experience.

UA Coronet  

3575 Geary Blvd
San Francisco,  CA
Phone: (415) 752-4400

This enormous San Francisco movie theater is perfect for watching mainstream films. The huge screen and state-of-the-art sound make this a Hollywood film lover's dream come true. Unique among most San Francisco movie theaters, the Sony Dynamic Digital Sound (SDDS) system puts the audience in the middle of the mix, viewing a film here feels like an amusement ride. Come early, as lines often stretch around the block when the latest blockbusters open.

Red Vic Movie House

1727 Haight St., San Francisco, CA, USA
Phone: 415/668-3994

The avant-garde Red Vic Movie House screens an adventurous lineup of contemporary and classic American and foreign titles in a funky setting.

San Francisco Cinematique
Phone: 415/822-2885

The San Francisco Cinematheque splits its experimental film and video schedule between the San Francisco Art Institute ( 800 Chestnut St., at Jones St., Russian Hill) and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts ( 701 Mission St., at 3rd St., South of Market, 415/978-2787).

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