Balboa Theatre

The Balboa Theater is a great theater that taps into the community! Really appreciate how they had a Stephen Chow film festival that brought in a diverse audience. Great films, great initiatives, and great popcorn/beer - what's not to like?!

Historic businesses that are in everyday use are amazing! We looked it up and the theater is coming up soon, on a hundred years since it was built! Well done, but the carpet could use a little work, just sayin' :^)

My son and I went to watch Wakanda Forever. It's my 1st time visiting San Francisco and the theater. I felt so nostalgic as soon as I saw it and walked in. I felt like a kid again. It reminded me of good times. The staff was very helpful and polite. The ticket prices and concessions prices were reasonable. You can also buy tea, hot chocolate, beer, and they also have their own line of Merch. The smell of the popcorn as you walked in was yummy. From the looks of it it's well maintained and clean. They also offer a great selection of movies. Definitely come by 👍👍

One of my favorite theatres in San Francisco! It's a great place to host an event; the staff is friendly. helpful and extremely accommodating, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the popcorn is unbeatable.

Unfortunately I had the place to myself ie they could use more patrons. Saw the Wakanda film..bit of a yawner but they have a good line up of old films and special eve ts. Used to go here when I was a kid. Happy to see it's still open. Popcorn, Beer and T-shirts. Happy days.

Absolutely adorable local theater! Went there for the first time last night and had massive nostalgia. Reminds me of small town theaters in the Midwest, with the price tag to match. I’ll for sure be back to try the popcorn with the “real butter” (trust me, you’ll know what I’m talking about if you’ve been here)

Nice quaint quality 2 screen theater. Went for g fest this weekend. Vendor's in the lobby, shirt's ect. They hold different events . bathroom to the right and refreshments on the left.

It can be romantic depending on what's showing and who you go with, some movies are made for children and some(like IT) aren't. Large soda and popcorn come with free refills. Good, cozy, old fashioned style theater with decent prices and restaurants nearby if you aren't in the mood for a beef or veggie dog.

Balboa theater is a wonderful spot in the neighborhood! I used to live nearby and close enough to walk over. They have a few showings per day. The seats were a little uncomfortable for me, but I have very large hips. It's worth it to check out if you're nearby or have a movie night on your calendar. There are a lot of great restaurants walking distance to do a dinner and movie night.

The Balboa Theater is a great theater that taps into the community! Really appreciate how they had a Stephen Chow film festival that brought in a diverse audience. Great films, great initiatives, and great popcorn/beer - what's not to like?!

This theater is doing it right: Cult classics, indy films, special director guests, beverages, elevated popcorn and on occasion, live music?! Yes, please.

I am glad Balboa Theatre is still in business. It is old school. There is nothing flashy about it. Probably its heyday was a half century ago. But that is the charm. Going here is like going on a date night a long time ago. We saw Everything Everywhere All at Once. That was an experience. I am as impressed as the next person by what is new and flashy and glitzy and big. But I don't want the world to consist only of popular and generic businesses. Vintage and quirky belong too. So we have to support that if we don't want it to vanish. It also feels more festive, as if you have joined with friends, though you are just a crowd of strangers sitting in the dark.

Great small theater. Friendly staff. Good food. Sound good and projection good too. Will look for future shows.

I've been going to this theater for 40 years. Seriously, I saw my first movie there in 1986, and tonight I had my first really bad experience. I checked the website to confirm what time the movie was showing, we showed up on time to buy our tickets and were told, "oh that's not actually playing tonight." What the hell, I pulled out my phone and showed him their website, and is response, believe it or not, was, "Yeah, our guy isn't very good at doing the website." Truly amateurish. I have never had an issue with the small screens and poor sound, because I considered it quaint. I draw the line and not being able to keep their showtimes straight. Evening ruined. As much as I hate supporting multiplexes, at least they can keep their showtimes accurate. Not sure if I'll ever go back, except I have a frequent customer card with 5 movies on it. Guess, I'll just have to remember to call ahead next time to confirm.

Glad to see this local theatre is still open. It is small and can have two movies to play at the same time. But the environment is nice and the staff is very friendly. It is playing some classic movies now. Ticket price is about $12.50 to $15.

I have been to this theater twice now and absolutely loved it! Parking is really easy to find in the area and there are some cute restaurants and a good boba place in the area! The staff is super nice and friendly! This place is such a chill vibe! My only complaint is hearing audio from the next room over when there is quiet moments. I definitely will be back!

Came here for SF Neon Western Neighborhoods Project Woody La Bounty event at this theater to show a documentary on the Alexandria Theatre that closed in the Richmond. Good event in Richmond district.

My wife and I loved going here for date nights when we used to live in the Outer Richmond. We would walk down Balboa, grab dinner and then catch a movie here. They have the best popcorn, good drinks. Just be prepared for the crowd to be a little eclectic.

With so much controversy currently surrounding the city's Castro Theatre it's time to spread the love. The Balboa Theater is a classic in its own right even if it presents none of the historic grandeur of its across-town brethren. As much as I love the Castro Theatre I harbor an equal love for the Balboa. Both truths are possible. The Balboa Theater will go down in my personal annals as the place I once spent an entire day seeing 4 movies in its two separate theaters. Friends later asked "were you depressed?" as if sitting in front of a big screen in a dark room from day until night were a harbinger of a mental disorder. "Au contraire" I retorted, "I had a great day". Sitting in a darkened theater in front of a big screen and seeing films as they were at one-time meant to be seen is an indulgent pleasure. The world would likely be a bit happier were we all to regularly indulge as such. An annual, revered, personal tradition for me is to enjoy the Super Bowl from a seat within the Balboa Theatre. On this day, the screening is free of charge and the crowd is rapt and attentive. One can get craft beer, popcorn, and more from the concession and make a day of it and trust, you pay a lot closer attention to the game and the commercials when you're not at your neighbor's Super Bowl viewing party. The Balboa Theater doesn't have huge screens or reclining seats but it's well-maintained, comfortable, and feels loved. I've spent many a favorite day/evening here and never had a bad time. Long live the Balboa Theater.

We drove downtown to buy tickets at the box office. There was a show going and started at 8 PM. We arrived at 7:15 to buy tickets for future show. I dropped my wife off and then drove around the block to find a parking spot. She got to the window and they told her " you should've got here at five step aside we're still selling tickets for this show. " It would've taken them a couple minutes to sell her the tickets for the show that she wanted. Very poor customer service and they were very rude about it. They made her stand there for 45 minutes while they sold other people tickets and wouldn't sell her the ticket to the show that she wanted.

My partner and I decided to see a movie on a Sunday, November 24, 2024, after a long exodus from movie theaters. I had fond memories of the Balboa Theater. It always felt comfortable and I enjoyed the popcorn from the machine. After the movies one could have a decent meal at the restaurant across the street, and parking was no problem. It was also a short drive from my home. Unfortunately this time, my EXPERIENCE at this theater was AWFUL . The VOLUMN was EXTREMELY LOUD, and even more loud with the movie previews. My ear drums actually hurt. The extreme loud volume might have been okay if it were a much larger theater, but not for a small one such as the Balboa. I had to ask an employee at the lobby to lower the volume. Another problem was the TEMPERATURE . Although I had on warm clothing, including a thick and insulated jacket, it was VERY COLD inside, even after putting my hands inside my jacket pocket the whole time. When I made a second trip to the lobby to ask that the heat be turned on, the INDIFFERENT EMPLOYEE stated that the heater was broken. After leaving. the theater and walking outside on a cold day, it felt warmer outside than inside the Balboa. We were charged $25.00 for two discounted senior tickets. NOT TOO CHEAP . The theater appeared empty with HARDLY A SOLE INSIDE. As I left, I felt that whoever managed the operations was NEGLIGENT and probably in violation of public health codes. MANAGEMENT ------- SHAME ON YOU.

Terrible popcorn. Rude staff. Racist owner. Ancient and uncomfortable seats. Don't even have brand name soda.

My beloved local movie theater, I've been coming here for as long as I've been living in the Richmond district. Great popcorn, great staff and plenty of restaurants around to grab something to eat after the movie.

My favorite theater in all of San Francisco! Cool vibes, cool flicks, cool staff, cool grub. Everything about it, love this theater forever and ever!

Balboa theater is the epitome of a great neighborhood theater. the employees are so welcoming and the theater itself has a vintage vibe that I love. They have a mix of newer movies and classics. I miss the $10 movie and popcorn deal because I used to come for them all the time! Overall the service and ambiance makes neighborhood theaters so much better than the classic movie theater. It's perfect for a casual night out or for weekend fun. Support local businesses!!

Balboa is a small, but mighty theatre tucked away in outer Richmond. Even if you don't live close by, they are worth a visit for a showing. First off, their theatre is super cute. The have just two screens here but the space is cozy and the seats relatively comfortable. In theatre 1, you also get some slightly elevated seats in the back that feel a little fancier. They'll have all the big new films, as well as independents and special screenings for older films. I've come here for things like a Christopher Nolan batman marathon, but also more low key showings too. And finally, the concession meets two important criteria (for me). One, their popcorn does not come pre-buttered, meaning it's vegan by default. Second, they have an above average selection of beer at a reasonable price. Each time I go I'm able to enjoy a beer from Barebottle. P.S. I've heard bands will play here sometimes too, though I have not been witness to it.

Great place to have movie nights with your family. The popcorn is amazing and the atmosphere is nice

They play amazing old school movies as well as new ones. They are a local theater. Their popcorn is amazing, and the staff aren't assholes. Nuff said. Give money to this business!!!!

Used to love coming here to watch foreign movies and independent films!! I love their popcorn and their jumbo hotdog, but this was a while ago. I haven't been to a movie theater since before the pandemic and I think I need to start going again and start out with watching films here like a good old days!

Favorite theater in town hands down. Great atmosphere and 90s style experience. Great selection of movies and doen to earth pricing. Real local delicay with all the neighborhood characters.

Poorly run venue by inconsiderate people. If this were a for-profit company, they would have gone under a long time ago. Don't donate your money to an organization that can't manage itself.

A beautiful theater with great late night events like showings of "The Room" and "Rocky Horror Picture Show." The staff is kind and helpful and the regulars make the experience a blast. Watch an indie film or a classic here, you won't forget it.

First of all this whole place is a VIBE. The lobby reminds me of movie theatres when I as little - when Blockbuster ran the earth. Small but mighty concessions stand with 10/10 popcorn, cold beverages for adults and kids. The pre-movie ads made me laugh out loud for their camp and callbacks to the 80s. It's worth going for these alone. Decent sized screens, great audio and comfortable seats. Lobby has vintage video games (Donkey Kong, anyone?). If they rent out the space, it would be an amazing place to host friends/family for a movie experience of old. What a treasure! They don't make them like this anymore and what a shame because I had the best time and will absolutely be going back.

' The only one to survive since 1926! I remember they would run double features at a great price. The loss of the Coronet, Alexandria and Bridge theaters has left a void in the Richmond district. We really need to support theaters like this. They are offering a wonderful selection of virtual films, so get your popcorn, and yes you can bring food into your theater at home!

Went to see new moon with my sister for her birthday. It was an amazing time, memorable night. She recently saw silence of the lambs. She loves it there.

Growing up in the hood, we used to come here quite often. I haven't been back since in a long while. I recently came here to watch Frozen 2 with the family. While it's not as fancy as the multiplex, it is comfortable. They do have cup holders on the chairs. Chairs were comfortable. Popcorn was fresh. Sound is as good as what you find at the multiplex. Bathrooms need updating but that's not a deal breaker. Staff is nice.

Great neighborhood theater with both new movies and classics. Supper cinema and films.

I really like this theatre, considering it was my first time here and it has a limited amount of movies showing. I love how cozy and non crowded this theatre is. Sometimes, i want to watch and enjoy a movie where there is not too many people nor too loud, especially for a movie that just came out. This theatre had its own classy look to it and i just love how it is different from the crowded Metreon, AMC or Century 20 when i want some sort of mellow chill environment. Definitely hit this place up, but do not expect a huge list of movies, i believe the most is 4 shown.

This has been one of my favorite movie theaters in San Francisco. This is a historic landmark which shows great films. I have been coming here for decades and I appreciate it more and more every year since they let you in free on your birthday ( with id ). I was surprised to find out they were going to show a sneak preview of Avengers End Game. This theater also shows modern movies and sometimes classics. This theater makes me feel at home in the new and old San Francisco.

My first experience here was on Halloween and it was fantastic. We came to watch the Rocky Horror Picture Show which also came with a live performance, games, and more. I've never had so much fun a movie in my life. This was an night to remember and will be coming back again

Love this theatre! If you're looking for luxury loungers, you won't find them here - but if you're looking for an awesome independent theater that serves yummy snacks and drinks - The Balboa is the theatre for you! We've been coming here for years and I'm so happy that it's still a part of this neighbourhood. Most of the seats are old school, but he seats are taller with "headrests". Street parking can get tight, but is doable - just leave yourself plenty of time. Don't miss the previews, they're not what you typically see and are a lot of fun. Support The Balboa!!!!

A sweet little retro theatre. Love that they have GodzillaFest here every year! And so grateful they've survived through the pandemic and were able to bring the GodzillaFest back this year. We certainly missed it last year. Love the old movies this theatre shows.

Grew up with these little family theaters. Cozy. I didn't care if the screen is tiny, its about the experience. I like to help out mom n pop establishments.

Beloved neighborhood theater. Small but you can tell this place has a lot of love from the campy ads before each showing to the niche old movies they show. You can catch some of the latest stuff here but if you want the chance to see an old classic on the big screen again they have a lot of legacy showings. I check their calendar at the beginning of each month and always find a few things I don't want to miss. Sometimes they start showing the movie a bit sooner than big chain theater so don't expect to have a 20-40 minute buffer of ads and show up earlier. Also, people often clap at the end of movies here, really fun energy from the audience. You might hear some of the soundtrack from the other theater bleed into yours but that's part of the charm!

I like how this isn't one of the big chain mega plexes and I like to support local businesses. Balboa Theater is a charming neighborhood theater where you don't have to purchase your ticket hours before because it's not assigned seating like how the mega plexes upgraded to recliners but are assigned seating. Yes, the mega plexes have the electronic recliners but you have to get your ticket half a day before so you can sit together and not be in the first row. The screens are small, the resolution isn't as good but this theater is almost a cornerstone to this stretch of Balboa.

Me and a few friends were roaming the streets of San Francisco after going to see the famous antenna on the hill. We decided to grab some boba when we stumbled across this nostalgic movie theatre. We needed up watching the new incredibles movie and the nostalgic vibe I got from this place was just remarkable. I felt like we were watching a movie in the 1950's. Also the staff was amazing. Great popcorn and drinks. Definitely had an amazing experience here!

My favorite theater!! Best popcorn in town and all around super great movie experience

This Outer Richmond theater is a landmark of San Francisco. As someone who grew up visiting the Clay, West Portal, Coronet, Alexandria, and Balboa Theaters, I'm grateful this one is still standing. The prices for food are also not bad compared to most places. Sure the sound and picture quality aren't the absolute best, but you're not coming here for that.

Charming old-school theater that shows many regular and cult classics. Excellent concession choices and quality. I suggest sitting closer to the screen rather than farther away.

I love stopping here on a foggy night or Saturday mid long walk to enjoy a movie. Place is just the right size, has just the right amount of snacks, friendly employees, and shows a variety of movies. Great local business to support! If you can't make it out to the balboa go over to their other theater, the Vouge theater, on sacramento st in laurel/pacific heights.

tl;dr - Go if you want the old school theatre charm but if you're looking to watch a movie with good surround sound and visuals then somewhere more modern will be better. We went to watch Zootopia (which is an incredible movie). The theater had a maximum of two showings at a time and they marker in which movies they're showing which was pretty cute. Each theatre is quite small and the seats are staggered too low so make sure to not sit behind someone too tall. There are two rows of seats - 6 on each side - which are offset from the centre so only the two seats close to the aisle offer a good middle view. The cushions were falling off the seats as well, one of my friends would have fallen through the seat had he sat down. The screen is very small so you can't sit in the far back unless you have excellent vision and don't mind watching a movie like you would watch Netflix on a 15" screen.

I love this theater. I've been coming here since I was a kid and I've never been disappointed. The people are friendly, their concessions selection is amazing, and they play awesome movies of all types and origins, not just what's trending. It's also one of the last surviving independent theaters around. I highly recommend this place!

Affordable prices and great for a local theater. Living up the street from this theater, I enjoy the fact that its convenient and a 10 minute walk away. They have all the essentials you need for a good movie. Their chairs aren't the greatest considering this place has been around for forever. As old as this building is, I started coming here when I was really young. The most recent time I came, I watched the Star Wars movie. That, I believe came out about a year ago. Not the cleanest place, but customer service is good and this place is comfy.

Came here to watch a showing of Avengers: Infinity War. This was the first time I've been here, and I'm not entirely convinced this will be my theater of choice in the future. It's nice and has it's charm, especially since it's an older theater. My only gripe would be the smaller screen and the subpar seating. I found the seats to be very worn-in, and I didn't like how the arm rest didn't raise. Atmosphere: 3/5 Value: 5/5 Overall: 4./5

My favorite little theater in SF. Love the atmosphere. Super friendly staff. Support your local theaters

Came here for the first time to watch Solo: A Star Wars Story with my boyfriend. For a local neighborhood theatre, it has lots of charm and quirkiness which I genuinely appreciate. Also, it was very enjoyable to come to a movie theatre 5 minutes before a movie showing and not worry about getting tickets, long lines, or waiting forever for popcorn. However, keep in mind, it is an older theatre with a smaller, lower resolution screen and seating that leaves more to be desired. After seeing movies at theaters with fancy reclining seating, this might be a hard adjustment for some people. Also, considering we were on a date night, it was definitely unfortunate that the arm rest didn't raise. That combined with the subpar seating made for a less-than-comfortable movie experience. But, I am all about supporting local businesses, and will definitely be coming back occasionally!

Recently went back here on a Monday night to watch Spirited Away with friends and I didn't know what to expect. Truth be told, the last time I saw a movie here was probably 20 years ago. It was a blast from the past! Loved that they take care of it and their movie nights warm my geeky soul. Also, the neighborhood has some of my favorite spots to eat. Dinner and a movie and not in a strip mall, FTW.