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Castro Theatre
Indie Movie Theater, Historic and Protected Site, and Theater
Castro, San Francisco
Has a stamp of approval from The Wall Street Journal and SFGate
"vintage 1922 movie house is home to a number of film festivals"(12 Tips)
"Beautiful theatre to catch a golden oldie"(5 Tips)
"Movie palace organist extraordinaire and San Francisco treasure"(4 Tips)"ornate decorations and a Wurlitzer organ"(5 Tips)
113 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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- peaches christ
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Cat TJuly 18, 2012A beautiful movie palace, one of the few left, and a very civilized place to see a classic movie, or zany place for a sing-a-long. Get there early to enjoy the mighty Wurlitzer!
- Corey WolfJune 11, 2015Beautiful old movie theater with ornate decorations and a Wurlitzer organ, one of the few left, and a very civilized place Often plays campy films, classic films,
Toby SobolOctober 26, 2011This famous landmark still plays some of your favorite films that are not shown in other theaters anymore. Also this theater is that it still has a WORKING Wurlitzer organ played by a great organist.
Timothy MathewsAugust 25, 2019Amazing theatre with baroque stylings and a pipe organ played before every show and during silent films. It’s one of the few places to see things on film. It has plenty of seats and is always great.
A beautiful place to see a film, not just for the beauty of the building, but for the enthusiasm of the crowds that come to it.
Pat SueltzDecember 29, 2013The Castro Theater is grand w/ gilded cornices, murals & a gorgeous ceiling. We enjoyed an early dinner @ Fables before the 8:00 PM show, The Kinsey Sicks Twenty Years. Great venue, fantastic show!
Joshua MagnaniApril 15, 2013Love everything about this place. Great movies and events and, beautiful theatre, and a true gem for the city. If a movie you like is playing there, go!
Katherine M.July 16, 2014Beautiful old movie theater with ornate decorations and a Wurlitzer organ. Often plays campy films, classic films, and deliciously tongue-in-cheek double header pairings. Iconic marquee.
WhiteDino .ComAugust 18, 2013www.WhiteDino.com says, amazing architecture and design inside, bring your camera!
Tagel Shaked ZingerMarch 31, 2016The little mermaid sing along is super fun. They give you props like crowns, wands, soap bubbles and more and the atmosphere is great.
- The Wall Street JournalAugust 3, 2014Always loved the Castro, not only for its history and what it stands for, but because they feature great vintage and experimental films and put on interesting film festivals. Read more
The 3D here is really good. Much better than Theater 1 at the Kabuki. (I've seen 2 movies at both.) And tickets are cheaper. And it's a beautiful theater.
Waiting in the ticket line, save for special events, is for chumps. Get there in the middle of the previous showing, buy tickets then go for a meal.- Ashley MowreyMay 30, 2015It's grand, it plays movies, hosts talks, and illuminates your spirit with lavish stage performances. It's a good mix of old and new movies, right by transportation and full of jovial people.
Get here as much as motherfuckn possible. Pre/post grab a martini at Twin Peaks and people watch. For the film grab a beer from across the street.
Sabina B.September 2, 2014They play lots of your favorite classics here so be sure to check out their schedule online; some shows are hosted by (your fave) drag queens.
Christian CanterburyJanuary 6, 2013Balcony. First row center. Best seat in the house. This place is a jewel. One of the best movie theaters in America.
JimMarch 27, 2016This theater is a history lesson in movie going of days gone by. Make the time to experience this palace dedicated to film.
Nanci Armstrong-TempleMarch 5, 2014Beautiful theater and amazing, huge screen. Lovely staff. A great experience all around.
Sean RouseAugust 4, 2012Popcorn is unsalted (salt is next to the snack bar.) you can get real butter on your popcorn. The snack bar is cash only.
Contemporary Jewish MuseumApril 9, 2012The Castro Theatre is home base to the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, the first of its kind in the country (started 1988) and the largest of its kind in the world.
Nespresso USADecember 10, 2012This historic landmark is one of the most beautiful theatres in the city. Visit it for a number of different cinematic experiences, even sing-along showings!
Marc Heustis and Peaches Christ bring some awesome events to this space. The in-house programming veers toward family fare. Always come early for an organ concert.
Contemporary Jewish MuseumApril 9, 2012The Castro Theatre is home base to the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, the first of its kind in the country (started 1988) and the largest of its kind in the world.
Nespresso USADecember 10, 2012This historic landmark is one of the most beautiful theatres in the city. Visit it for a number of different cinematic experiences, even sing-along showings!
Travel ChannelDecember 9, 2011A dramatic movie theatre – showing revivals, foreign & indie films and even sing-along movie musicals. As recommended by Travel Channel host, Anthony Bourdain.
- The Wall Street JournalMarch 20, 2012This vintage 1922 movie house is home to a number of film festivals and, in 2008, hosted the world premiere of "Milk," starring Sean Penn. Read more
Christopher CraneDecember 4, 2012Once a year or so is the Sound of Music Sing-A-Long. I highly recommend finding the dates, getting a costume and buying some tickets to this great event!- A rep house with a massive pipe organ. Still played every night before screenings! In the 60s and 70s, the dark, vertiginous balcony allowed men to kiss and touch in relative safety and comfort.
A gorgeous, historic theater that tends to show good stuff.
BravoNovember 12, 2010Beautiful SF landmark which is a movie house as well as live performances. Sing-along sound of music is a tradition. -Yigit Pura, Top Chef Just Desserts
Beat place to enjoy widest possible variety of world-class cinema.
Chandra DanineNovember 6, 2011Great Fri & Sat place to impress a date and/or out of town friends. Classic films redeux. Audience participation sing-a-longs and a whimsical organ player pre-screening.
Go ahead, splurge on the organic butter popcorn. Pro move: take extra salt packets for mid show dousing.
Arrive early. The food and bathroom lines can get really long.- Happy David Hegarty Day! Movie palace organist extraordinaire and San Francisco treasure
- San Francisco's Church of Cinema is a MUST SEE for visitors and locals alike. Never not awesome. Read more
Get there a bit early to hear the organist do his thing; he's incredible.
- Ricki Lake was charming & fun. Pre-show w/Peaches & D'Arcy Drollinger & Company was hilarious.
Sha AkbarNovember 14, 2019an iconic SF venue. seen many films & events here. last one w/ Scorsese presenting his “Irishman”.
heathr goldJanuary 24, 2010If you're a tourist or haven't been to this theatre, it's wirth seeing any old movie here with this awesome audience, theatre, curtain and popcorn.
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San Francisco Designated Landmark #100
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(415) 864-5000
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- 8.9
"Become a member. Free movies and popcorn. A film lovers dream. Great mix of small indies and docs you won't see elsewhere."
Rachel Goodman - 7.6
"Cutest theatre ever! No trailers. Cozy. Perfect for date night"
Nisha Menezes - 9.4
"the theater is gorgeous, and it's pretty fun to drink a beer while watching movies on the big screen. new favorite movie theater in the city."
cami j.
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