It is a strange feeling walking through the Lloyd Center these days. If you grew up in Portland, you remember the crowds, the smell of Cinnabon fighting with the scent of Nordstrom perfume, and the constant hum of people on the ice rink. Now? It’s quieter. But tucked away on the third floor, Lloyd Center Cinema Portland remains a weirdly resilient staple of the city's movie-going culture.
Honesty is important here. The theater isn’t a gleaming, high-tech palace like some of the suburban multiplexes. It’s a bit weathered. The carpets have seen better decades. Yet, for a lot of us, that’s exactly why it works. It represents a specific era of Portland that hasn’t been polished away by gentrification or high-end redevelopment projects.
The Reality of Seeing a Movie at Lloyd Center Today
People often ask if the theater is even still open. Yes, it is. Managed by Regal, the Lloyd Center Cinema Portland continues to screen the biggest blockbusters, from Marvel sequels to the latest A24 indie darlings.
Walking into the lobby feels like stepping back into 1997. There’s something comforting about the neon accents and the slightly overpriced popcorn that tastes exactly like childhood. You aren't going there for heated reclining seats or artisanal cocktails delivered to your chair. You go because it’s convenient, it’s rarely sold out, and it’s right on the MAX line.
Let's talk about the neighborhood. The Lloyd District has been through the wringer. With major anchors like Sears and Nordstrom long gone, the mall has struggled to find its identity. This affects the theater. You might see some security presence, and the foot traffic fluctuates wildly depending on the time of day. But inside that darkened theater? The magic is still there. The sound systems are surprisingly punchy, and the screens are massive enough to make you forget the mall’s vacancy rate for a couple of hours.
A History Rooted in Portland’s Growth
The Lloyd Center itself opened in 1960 as one of the first major shopping centers in the country. Back then, it was an open-air mall. The cinema came later as part of the massive 1980s and 90s renovations that enclosed the space.
It was the spot.
If you were a teenager in the 90s, the Lloyd Center Cinema Portland was where you went on a first date. You’d meet at the ice rink, grab a slice of Sbarro, and then head upstairs to catch Independence Day or Titanic. It wasn't just about the movie; it was about the ecosystem of the mall.
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Regal Lloyd Center 10 (as it's officially known) has survived while other downtown theaters folded. The legendary Broadway Metro? Gone. Many of the smaller, single-screen gems? Repurposed into condos or retail. This theater stayed because it serves a massive, diverse demographic from the surrounding Northeast Portland neighborhoods. It’s a community hub disguised as a corporate multiplex.
What the Critics (and Locals) Get Wrong
Critics like to complain about the "vibe" of the mall. They say it’s "dead."
That’s a lazy take.
If you actually spend time there, you’ll see the mall is reinventing itself. Local businesses are moving into the smaller stalls. The Lloyd Center Cinema Portland benefits from this weird, grassroots energy. It’s no longer just a corporate appendage; it’s one of the last reasons people from across the city still converge on this specific patch of asphalt.
The screens are large. The projection quality—mostly digital now—is consistent. Is it as fancy as the Living Room Theaters or the refurbished Hollywood Theatre? No. But those places are often packed, expensive, or require booking days in advance. At Lloyd Center, you can usually decide to see a movie 15 minutes before showtime and get a great seat. That spontaneity is a rare commodity in modern Portland.
Navigating the Logistics: Parking, Transit, and Safety
If you’re driving, the parking garages are vast. Maybe too vast.
Pro tip: Park in the garage closest to the Multnomah Street entrance. It’s a shorter walk to the theater wing.
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If you’re taking the MAX, the Lloyd Center/NE 11th Ave station drops you right there. It’s one of the most accessible theaters for anyone living along the Blue, Blue, or Red lines. This accessibility is why the Lloyd Center Cinema Portland audience is so varied. You’ll see families from the suburbs, students from Benson Poly, and retirees who have lived in the Irvington neighborhood for fifty years.
Safety is a common topic in Yelp reviews. Honestly, it’s a city mall. Use common sense. Don’t leave a laptop bag in your backseat. Stay aware of your surroundings in the parking garage at night. The mall has increased security patrols in recent years, and the theater staff are generally great at managing the environment.
The Pricing Factor
Movie tickets are getting ridiculous. We all know it.
However, the Lloyd Center Cinema Portland often participates in Regal’s Value Days (usually Tuesdays) and various promotions via the Regal Crown Club. Compared to the $20+ tickets at some premium theaters in the Pearl District or out in the burbs, you can catch a matinee here for a relatively reasonable price.
- Matinee Pricing: Generally available for shows before 4:00 PM.
- Regal Unlimited: If you’re a local, this subscription pays for itself after two visits.
- Concessions: Still pricey, but that’s the industry standard.
Supporting the "Underdog" Theater
There is a conversation happening in Portland about the future of the Lloyd Center. Developers have pitched everything from a massive residential hub to a Major League Baseball stadium on the site.
Whatever happens, the cinema remains a bellwether. If the theater is busy, the mall feels alive. When you buy a ticket at Lloyd Center Cinema Portland, you aren’t just watching a movie; you’re casting a vote for the continued existence of this historic district.
The theater has ten screens. That's a lot of real estate. They have the capacity to show the "Big Three" blockbusters simultaneously while still keeping a screen open for a niche horror flick or a foreign language film that didn't get a wide release. This variety is essential for the city’s cultural health.
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Why You Should Go This Weekend
Think about the last time you went to a movie theater where you didn't feel like you were on a conveyor belt.
There is a grittiness to Lloyd Center that feels authentic. It’s not curated. It’s not trying to sell you a "lifestyle." It’s just a place to watch movies. The popcorn is salty. The soda is cold. The screen is big.
Sometimes, that is more than enough.
In a city that is rapidly changing, where your favorite dive bar is now a Pilates studio, the Lloyd Center Cinema Portland stands as a weird, neon-lit monument to the way things used to be. It’s functional. It’s accessible. It’s ours.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of your trip to the Lloyd Center Cinema, follow these practical steps:
- Check the Regal App First: Showtimes can shift, and the mall's general hours don't always align perfectly with late-night screenings. Verify the last showtime before you head out.
- Use the Multnomah Street Entrance: It provides the most direct route to the theater elevators and avoids the long walks through the more vacant sections of the mall.
- Join the Rewards Program: If you live in NE Portland, the Regal Crown Club is a no-brainer for earning free popcorn and ticket discounts, especially since this theater is rarely at 100% capacity.
- Plan for Post-Movie Food: While the food court has fewer options than it used to, there are several great spots just outside the mall on NE 15th and Broadway, like Steeplejack Brewing or the various eateries at the Lloyd 700 building.
- Support Local Events: Keep an eye out for special screenings or film festivals that occasionally use this venue due to its high seat count and transit access.
The Lloyd Center Cinema Portland isn't going anywhere just yet. Go grab a ticket, sit in the back row, and enjoy the show. It’s a part of Portland history that you can still experience for the price of a movie ticket.