Movie theaters in San Francisco.
Lumina has verified 6 independent movie theaters in San Francisco, California: 4-Star Theatre, Artists' Television Access, Balboa Theatre, Castro Theatre, Marina Theater, Presidio Theatre. Every link goes straight to the theater for showtimes and tickets.
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.
Finding a cinema in San Francisco
- What independent movie theaters are in San Francisco, CA?
- Lumina lists 6 verified independent movie theaters in San Francisco, California: 4-Star Theatre (repertory, 2200 Clement Street), Artists' Television Access (art house, 992 Valencia Street), Balboa Theatre (repertory, 3630 Balboa Street), Castro Theatre (historic, 429 Castro Street), Marina Theater (independent first-run, 2141 Chestnut Street), and Presidio Theatre (independent first-run, 2340 Chestnut Street). Chain multiplexes aren't included; every listing links straight to the theater for showtimes and tickets.
- 4-Star TheatreArtists' Television AccessBalboa TheatreCastro TheatreMarina TheaterPresidio Theatre
- Is there an art house cinema in San Francisco?
- Yes. 4-Star Theatre, Artists' Television Access, and Balboa Theatre program independent, repertory, or international film in San Francisco.
- 4-Star TheatreArtists' Television AccessBalboa Theatre
- What is the closest drive-in theater to San Francisco?
- Solano 2 Drive-In in Concord, CA, about 27 miles away, is the nearest drive-in Lumina has verified.
- Solano 2 Drive-In
- Are there historic movie theaters in San Francisco?
- 4-Star Theatre (opened 1913), Balboa Theatre (opened 1926), and Castro Theatre (opened 1922) are historic theaters in San Francisco.
- 4-Star TheatreBalboa TheatreCastro Theatre
Lark Theater
Larkspur, CA · 11 mi
A community-run Art Deco theater in downtown Larkspur that pairs limited-run and indie films with filmed opera and theater, family matinees, classic revivals and live jazz.
Grand Lake Theatre
Oakland, CA · 13 mi
A 1926 Oakland movie palace with four auditoriums, no pre-show commercials and a Wurlitzer organ that rises before select weekend evening shows. It runs current releases in 3-D and 70mm, and Tuesday tickets are $6.
Alameda Theatre & Cineplex
Alameda, CA · 13 mi
A restored 1932 Art Deco movie palace on Alameda's main street, now the centerpiece of an eight-screen complex. It shows current releases plus film series and live events, with recliner seating marked on the schedule.
Pacific Film Archive
Berkeley, CA · 13 mi
The film program of the Berkeley Art Museum, with retrospectives, restored classics and international cinema on a university-run schedule. Members get half-price tickets, and the 232-seat theater sits in a 2016 building on Center Street.
Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center
San Rafael, CA · 13 mi
A film center in downtown San Rafael run by the California Film Institute. It mixes new independent releases with documentaries, talk-back screenings and stage-to-screen broadcasts of ballet and theater.
Chabot Cinema
Castro Valley, CA · 23 mi
A local single-screen movie theater in Castro Valley with daily showtimes, discounted Tuesday and Wednesday tickets and a food menu on its website. It also hosts a horror film festival and can be rented privately.