San Francisco is a weird place for movies. Honestly, it’s always been that way. This is the city where Eadweard Muybridge basically invented motion pictures by photographing a galloping horse in 1878, and it’s the city where people still line up in the fog to watch a 35mm print of a film nobody’s ever heard of. If you’re looking for movies San Francisco CA, you aren’t just looking for a multiplex and a bucket of popcorn. You’re looking for an experience that feels a little bit like time travel.
The local scene is currently in the middle of a massive identity crisis, but in a way that’s actually kind of exciting. We’ve got the high-tech, laser-projected giants at the Metreon, and then we’ve got the century-old survivors that refuse to die. It’s a messy, beautiful mix.
The Big Reopening: The Castro Theatre’s $41 Million Facelift
You can't talk about movies in this city without talking about the Castro. It’s been closed since early 2024, and the drama surrounding its renovation was almost as intense as a Hitchcock plot. Preservationists were literally fighting in the streets (or at least at City Hall) over the floor.
The big news? It’s finally back. As of February 2026, the Castro Theatre has officially reopened after a $41 million overhaul by Another Planet Entertainment. They’ve restored the sgraffito murals and that insane ceiling artwork, but the most controversial change is the floor. It’s now a motorized platform system. This means it can go from a flat floor for a Sam Smith concert to a tiered layout for film festivals.
Purists are still grumpy about the "missing" raked seating, but the venue is undeniably stunning now. If you want to see it in action, the Berlin & Beyond Film Festival is taking over the space in March 2026, followed by the SF Silent Film Festival featuring a screening of the 1927 classic It with a live score. It’s still the heart of the movie scene here, even if it smells a little more like "new venue" and a little less like "old velvet" these days.
🔗 Read more: How Old Is Paul Heyman? The Real Story of Wrestling’s Greatest Mind
Where to Find the "Real" San Francisco Cinema
If the Castro feels a bit too "produced" for you now, you’ve got to head to the Mission or the Richmond. These are the places where the seats might squeak, but the soul is intact.
The Roxie: Still the King of Indie
The Roxie on 16th Street is the oldest continuously operating cinema in the United States. It opened in 1909. Think about that for a second. It survived the 1918 flu, the Great Depression, and the rise of Netflix. In January 2026, they’re leaning hard into their "weird and wonderful" mission. They’re currently screening things like The Voice of Hind Rajab (an Oscar-shortlisted international feature) and doing a special 35mm "Staff Pick" screening of Variety.
The Roxie doesn't care about what's trending on TikTok. They care about film as art. It’s small, it’s loud, and it’s unapologetically San Francisco.
The Balboa and the Vogue
Out by Ocean Beach, the Balboa Theater is basically a community living room. It’s been around since 1926. This is where you go if you want to see a Godzilla marathon or a random VHS-to-screen showing of a 90s cult classic.
💡 You might also like: Howie Mandel Cupcake Picture: What Really Happened With That Viral Post
Meanwhile, over in Presidio Heights, the Vogue Theatre (opened 1910) is doing its own thing. They host the Mostly British Film Festival every February. If you like dry humor and period dramas from the UK, Ireland, or Australia, this is your spot. It’s one of those rare places where you can actually hear yourself think before the lights go down.
The Blockbuster Experience: Metreon and Kabuki
Sometimes you just want to see a giant blue alien in 3D without thinking too hard about "cinema history."
The AMC Metreon 16 is the heavy hitter. It’s got the IMAX with Laser that makes your teeth rattle. Right now, in early 2026, the big draws are 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and Avatar: Fire and Ash. If you’re going here, buy your tickets online. Seriously. The lines at the kiosks are a nightmare, and the reserved seating fills up fast for the Dolby Cinema rooms.
AMC Kabuki 8 in Japantown is the "classier" big brother. It used to be an independent house before AMC took over, and it still keeps some of that vibe with "Artisan Films" in the lineup. It’s one of the best places to catch something like Marty Supreme or The Housemaid while enjoying a beer from the MacGuffins Bar.
📖 Related: Austin & Ally Maddie Ziegler Episode: What Really Happened in Homework & Hidden Talents
Filming Locations: Living in a Movie Set
One of the coolest things about watching movies San Francisco CA is realizing you’re walking through them every day. The city is essentially a giant backlot.
- The Mrs. Doubtfire House: Head to 2640 Steiner Street. You’ll usually see a few tourists taking selfies. It’s a private residence, so don’t go knocking, but it looks exactly like it did in 1993.
- The Vertigo Plunge: Go down to Fort Point under the Golden Gate Bridge. This is where Kim Novak jumped into the Bay in Hitchcock’s masterpiece. It’s windy, it’s eerie, and it’s incredibly cinematic.
- The Bullitt Chase: If you’ve got a car, you can try to find the jumps from Steve McQueen’s 1968 Mustang chase. Most of it happened in Potrero Hill and Russian Hill (specifically Taylor and Filbert streets). Just... maybe don't go 80 mph. The SFMTA will not be amused.
- Lombard Street: You’ve seen it in everything from What's Up, Doc? to Ant-Man and the Wasp. It’s a tourist trap, yeah, but at sunset, it actually looks pretty magical.
2026 Film Festival Calendar
San Francisco doesn't just watch movies; it celebrates them. If you’re planning a trip or a weekend out, keep these dates in mind:
- Noir City (Jan 16–25): Technically across the bridge in Oakland, but the SF crowd flocks there for rare 35mm noir prints.
- Mostly British Film Festival (Feb 5–12): Held at the Vogue. Very cozy.
- SF IndieFest (February): This is for the stuff that's too weird for the big festivals.
- SFFILM Festival (April 24 – May 4): The 69th edition of the oldest film festival in the Americas. This is the big one. Expect red carpets at the Castro and the Metreon.
- SF DocFest (May 28 – June 7): Held at the Roxie. If you like documentaries that feel like fever dreams, this is for you.
Actionable Tips for the SF Moviegoer
Honestly, seeing a movie here can be a bit of a logistics puzzle. Here is how you do it like a local:
- The Popcorn Hack: If you’re hitting the AMC theaters this year, get the 2026 AMC Popcorn Pass. It’s like 50% off a large popcorn every day. It pays for itself in about three visits because, let's be real, movie snacks are priced like fine jewelry.
- Validate Your Parking: If you’re at the Metreon, park in the Fifth & Mission garage. It’s huge, and the theater validates. Do not park on the street with anything visible in your car. Just don't.
- Dress for the Microclimate: The Balboa and the 4-Star are out by the ocean. It will be 15 degrees colder there than it is in the Mission. Bring a hoodie even if it's "sunny" outside.
- Support the Nonprofits: The Roxie and the Balboa survive on memberships. If you live here, a membership usually gets you $5 off every ticket and pays for itself within a month.
San Francisco’s relationship with film is evolving. We lost some great screens over the last decade, but the ones remaining are doubling down on what makes them special. Whether it's the high-gloss restoration of the Castro or a grainy indie flick at the Roxie, there's a seat waiting for you. Just make sure to get there early—the trailers are sometimes the best part.
Next Steps for You: Check the current schedule at the Roxie Theater for their "Oscar Shortlist" series running through the end of January 2026. If you want the "new Castro" experience, tickets for the Berlin & Beyond opening night in March are expected to go on sale in early February.