Portland makes going to the movies a nostalgic experience. Why? Because Portland is home to several historic theaters where you can watch first and second run, independent, art-house, foreign, documentaries, short and full-length films. Most of Portland’s historic theaters operate as pub/theaters and offer up pizza, snacks and an array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. These theaters are anchors in the Portland community and remain a part of the city’s cinematic and architectural history. Here’s a shortlist of historic theaters where you won’t break the bank and can take in a movie, grab a beer and a slice.
Academy Theater
Located in Montavilla, Academy Theater is a favorite for its comfy seats, friendly staff, and on-site babysitting. Plus, you can rent the theater for birthday parties. The theater opened in 1948 and was open until the 1970s. In 2006, after years of disrepair and damage, the Academy was renovated. More than a decade later the theater shows 2nd-run films to packed houses. Like other historic theaters in Portland, the Academy serves up pizza (from Flying Pie) and beer, plus tea, popcorn, cookies, and candy.
Admission:
$4.00 for adults
$3.00 for senior citizens (65+)
$3.00 for children (12 & under)
Double Feature Monday – Watch any two consecutive movies on Monday for $6 ($4 child & senior).
Two for Tuesday – Buy one ticket get one free on Tuesday (free ticket of equal or lesser value, same show only).
Bagdad Theater
The Hawthorne District’s Bagdad Theater opened in 1927 and is currently owned by McMenamin’s. The theater shows films daily including matinee and late shows. And hosts book tours sponsored by Powell’s books. The Bagdad has hosted movie premiere events like a gala for both One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1975 and My Own Private Idaho in 1991. Like other historic theaters in Portland, the Bagdad is on the National Register of Historic Places. The theater is connected to a McMenamin’s Pub so you can order up food offered in most Mcmenamin’s theaters like Pizza and tater tots. If you like beer, you can order one of Mcmenamin’s brews like their Hammerhead Ale or Ruby.
Admission:
$10 per ticket – Adults 5 pm and later
$8.50 per ticket – Adults before 5 pm
$7 per ticket – children 12 years old and under
*$1 online purchase fee per ticket
All shows are 21 and over (must have a valid ID); minors welcome with a parent or guardian.
Cinemagic Theater
The Cinemagic Theater opened as The Palm in 1914 and is located on lower Hawthorne Boulevard in SE Portland. This single-screen theater has been through a number of name changes and owners but became Cinemagic in 1991. Cinemagic runs eclectic films and serves up a wide variety of rotating beers, wine and hard cider.
Admission:
Matinee (before 5:45pm) – $5.50
Children – $5.50
Seniors (60+) – $5.50
Student (With ID) – $5.50
Military (With ID) – $5.50
$5 all day Tuesday
Cinema 21 Theater
Cinema 21 is a single screen historc theater located on 21st Avenue in NW Portland. The theater runs a mix of contemporary, independent and art-house films. and they also offer film workshops. Kinda cool. As with most historic theaters in Portland, you’ll find an array of snacks, beer, and wine.
Admission: (Before 6:00)
General Admission $10
Students (with ID) $9.00
Seniors (62 and older) and children $7.50
General Admission (After 6:00) $8.00
Students (with ID) $7.50
Seniors (62 and older) and children $7.00
Clinton Street Theater
The Clinton Street Theater opened in 1915 in what is now known as the Clinton neighborhood of SE Portland. The theater had a couple of name changes but reverted to its original name in 1976. The Clinton has one screen and seats 222 seats. The theater shows a mix of experimental and vintage film and hosts events in support of the Portland community. The Clinton has been showing the Rocky Horror Picture Show weekly since 1978 making it one of the longest-running movies in the world. If you’ve never seen Rocky Horror, the Clinton is the theater to see it in. Moviegoers can bring theater approved props and it’s a really fun time.
Admission:
Check website for admission details for each
Hollywood Theater
NE Portland’s Hollywood Theater lobby. Photos of Laurelhurst and Hollywood Theaters by Visitor7
The Hollywood Theater is a Portland landmark located in the Hollywood neighborhood in NE Portland. The theater opened in 1926 and functioned as a vaudeville house and movie theater. As film evolved so did the Hollywood theater and in 1961, the theater became the only Cinerama theater in Oregon. The theater has hosted events and film for 90 years. Today the Hollywood continues to draw crowds. After a fire nearly destroyed the building in 1997, the theater was bought by nonprofit Film Action Oregon who (with the help of the community) began the theater’s renovation. Today the Hollywood theater shows contemporary, classic and cult films. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and remains a great place to see films, attend film events and grab a piece of Sizzle Pie and beer while you’re there.
Admission:
Tickets for most films are $9 for adults
$7 for students/seniors (65+)/children
$6 for members
Laurelhurst Theater
Laurelhurst Theater on NE Burnside Street in Portland started with one screen in 1923. Since then the theater has expanded to four screens. For the last two decades, Laurelhurst has been serving food and drinks including beer and wine. Yes, you read that correctly. You can enjoy a drink, the usual refreshments like candy and popcorn plus salads and pizza while you watch. The theater has shown classic and independent films for as long as we can remember but will start showing first-run films this month. The price will increase a bit, but only to $9 a ticket.
Admission:
General admission: $4
Matinee (shows before 6pm): $3
Seniors (60+): $3
Moreland Theater
The Moreland Theater is a single screen cinema and is located in the West Moreland neighborhood in SE Portland. The theater opened in 1926 as a Vaudeville house and movie theater. It has retained its original name and has operated as a movie theatre since its opening. You can enjoy
Admission:
Matinee (before 6pm) – $5.50
Children (11 & under) – $5.50
Seniors (62+) – $5.50
Military (With ID) – $5.50
*Specials: On Tuesdays, ticket price are only $5.00 for all showings
St. Johns Twin Cinema
The St. Johns Twin Cinema is a two-screen theater with located in the heart of St. Johns in North Portland. The theater shows a wide range of first and second-run films. They serve up snacks, pizza and beer for your viewing and eating pleasure.
All showings before 6pm
are Matinees: $6.00 per person
All showings after 6pm are
General Admission: $8.00 per person
All Ages (NO PARENT REQUIRED)
to Shows Starting Before 9pm.
After 9pm 21 and older only.