Local cinemas in California.
70 verified independent movie theaters across 49 cities in California, from main-street single screens to drive-ins. Lumina tracks 261 independent cinemas here and adds more as each is verified.
Independent cinemas in California: quick answers
- How many independent movie theaters are in California?
- Lumina tracks 261 independent cinemas in California and has verified 70 as currently open, across 49 cities. The most are in Los Angeles (11), San Francisco (6), San Diego (3), Madera (2), and Palm Springs (2).
- What art house cinemas are in California?
- Verified art house cinemas in California include Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley, Lumiere Cinema in Beverly Hills, Laemmle Town Center 5 in Encino, Laemmle Glendale in Glendale, Art Theatre in Long Beach, Laemmle NoHo 7 in Los Angeles, Laemmle Royal Theatre in Los Angeles, and Artists' Television Access in San Francisco, plus 3 more.
- Pacific Film ArchiveLumiere CinemaLaemmle Town Center 5Laemmle GlendaleArt TheatreLaemmle NoHo 7
- Are there drive-in movie theaters in California?
- Yes. Verified drive-in theaters in California include Solano 2 Drive-In in Concord, Madera 2 Drive-In in Madera, and Paramount Drive-In Theatres in Paramount.
- Solano 2 Drive-InMadera 2 Drive-InParamount Drive-In Theatres
- What historic movie theaters are in California?
- Verified historic theaters in California include Alameda Theatre & Cineplex in Alameda, Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater in Bakersfield, Lark Theater in Larkspur, Art Theatre in Long Beach, Brain Dead Studios in Los Angeles, Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles, and Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland, plus 9 more.
- Alameda Theatre & CineplexHistoric Bakersfield Fox TheaterLark TheaterArt TheatreBrain Dead StudiosEgyptian Theatre
- Where are the discount movie theaters in California?
- Verified discount theaters in California include Bianchi Stadium 11 Theatres in Paramount.
- Bianchi Stadium 11 Theatres
- How do I find a local cinema near me in California?
- Use "Near me" on this page to sort every verified independent theater in California by distance (your location stays in your browser), or pick your city below. Each listing has showtimes, tickets, phone, and directions that go straight to the theater.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Los Angeles, CA
A film museum on Wilshire Boulevard with its own screening rooms. Film tickets are sold separately from museum admission, with low-priced matinees before 4 pm.
Billy Wilder Theater
Los Angeles, CA
The 295-seat theater inside the Hammer Museum, home to UCLA Film & Television Archive screenings. Retrospectives, restorations, and talks, with public programs currently free on a first-come basis.
Brain Dead Studios
Los Angeles, CA
A cult and repertory cinema in the old Silent Movie Theatre space on Fairfax. The calendar mixes classics, midnight-style favorites, and themed event weeks, with a monthly membership that includes a free ticket per screening.
Cinemas Westwood
Los Angeles, CA
The Westwood location of The Cinemas, a small group that also runs a New York Seaport District theater. It has a culinary program and takes event bookings; the film lineup was not readable on the site fetch.
Egyptian Theatre
Los Angeles, CA
Hollywood's 1922 Egyptian-themed movie palace, with retrospectives, 70mm presentations, and guest Q&As. American Cinematheque programs Friday through Sunday; Netflix, the owner, programs earlier in the week.
Laemmle NoHo 7
Los Angeles, CA
The North Hollywood multiplex of the Laemmle chain, which has booked independent and international films in Los Angeles since 1938.
Laemmle Royal Theatre
Los Angeles, CA
The West Los Angeles house of the Laemmle chain on Santa Monica Boulevard, showing independent and international releases.
Los Feliz 3 Cinemas
Los Angeles, CA
American Cinematheque's Los Feliz theater, with special engagements, retrospectives, and filmmaker Q&As on a limited-run schedule.
Michelle and Kevin Douglas IMAX Theatre
Los Angeles, CA
An IMAX theater at USC's Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts, hosting campus screenings and a weekday matinee series of cult and rare films.
New Beverly Cinema
Los Angeles, CA
A revival house in a 1920s building that shows double features on 35mm, plus weekend midnight shows and Saturday kids' matinees.
Norris Cinema Theatre
Los Angeles, CA
Norris Cinema Theatre is an independent movie theater in Los Angeles, California, at 2307 Trousdale Parkway.
Madera 2 Drive-In
Madera, CA
Madera 2 Drive-In is a drive-in movie theater in Madera, California, at 201 W. Lincoln Avenue.
Movies Madera
Madera, CA
Movies Madera is a movie theater run by a regional independent circuit in Madera, California, at 1140 N. Gateway Drive.
Bianchi Stadium 11 Theatres
Paramount, CA
A Paramount stadium-seat multiplex with a leather-recliner premium auditorium, rewards program, and $5 movies on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Paramount Drive-In Theatres
Paramount, CA
A drive-in in Paramount that pairs new releases and family titles in evening and late-night slots. Admission is paid at the gate per single show, with lower prices for children.
Bob Hope Theater
San Diego, CA
Bob Hope Theater is a movie theater run by a regional independent circuit in San Diego, California, at Building 2242, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
Digital Gym Cinema
San Diego, CA
Digital Gym Cinema is an independent movie theater in San Diego, California, at 1100 Market Street. It opened in 2013.
Lot Liberty Station
San Diego, CA
Lot Liberty Station is a movie theater run by a regional independent circuit in San Diego, California, at 2620 Truxton Road.
4-Star Theatre
San Francisco, CA
A 1913 Richmond District neighborhood theater run by a nonprofit and known for repertory and cult screenings, such as Willy Wonka, Brazil and a local film club.
Artists' Television Access
San Francisco, CA
An artist-run nonprofit screening room and gallery on Valencia Street in the Mission, showing experimental and underground work, open screenings and a Saturday-night series hosted by an artist in residence.
Balboa Theatre
San Francisco, CA
A 1926 Outer Richmond neighborhood theater run by a nonprofit, with a nightly mix of repertory and cult films, some on 35mm, and themed events like live drag screenings.
Castro Theatre
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco's 1922 landmark movie palace, reopened in 2026 after a $41 million renovation. It now books concerts and comedy alongside film events, and hosts the SF Silent Film Festival.
Marina Theater
San Francisco, CA
A Chestnut Street neighborhood theater in the Marina, run by Lee Neighborhood Theatres, showing a small rotating selection of current films and occasional special screenings with Q&As.
Presidio Theatre
San Francisco, CA
A Chestnut Street neighborhood theater in the Marina District, run by Lee Neighborhood Theatres. It shows a rotating slate of independent films, a documentary and the occasional classic alongside bigger releases.
Aero Theatre
Santa Monica, CA
A 1940 Santa Monica neighborhood theater run by the American Cinematheque, known for repertory double features, filmmaker Q&As and its annual October all-night horror marathon.
Laemmle Monica Film Center
Santa Monica, CA
A Laemmle arthouse in downtown Santa Monica focused on independent and international releases, many with English subtitles, and regular filmmaker Q&As. Captioning devices are available and the first 90 minutes of nearby garage parking are free.