Riverview Theater

The Riverview Theater is one of those special places we are so lucky to have in the neighborhood. We love seeing movies there and reasonable prices to enjoy the movie and a treat for a good price. We also love the to-go popcorn option. Best movie theater popcorn is found here!

Unique, hip, old-school theater that has remained authentic through the ages. This theater not only shows movies but is tapped into the local community hosting fun events. This theater is cash only but definitely worth the experience

My favorite theater by far. Comfortable, inexpensive, both ticket price and concessions. Best theater popcorn I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot, at 1/2 the price of regular theaters. The local community has kept this theater alive, which is a testament to its greatness. During Covid, when they weren’t playing any movies you could still walk up and buy popcorn to go. The Riverview, which isn’t all that close to a river, deserves all the patronage it can get

The Riverview theater is like walking into the past. Such a wonderful theater with the red velvet curtains opening up to reveal the silver screen. A must do especially if you're a movie nerd like me 😁

One theater, kid friendly. Went and seen Lilo & STiTch. Great family day or night fun. Very affordable!!! You can also let your little ones experience how movies were back in the day, then they are now.

Loved coming here! Just one screen, and old fashioned mid century modern decor. What made it so fun was the crowd! People were laughing and engaged and clapping and enjoying themselves so much. Will definitely be coming to see more movies here. And I say that as someone who normally prefers the lay back lounger chairs, with drinks and all the bells and whistles. But the atmosphere more than made up for it.

Not only is it a fun little theater, but it's a throwback MidCentury Modern (almost) museum! Definitely stop by for the vibes and the popcorn. Cutest place

My favorite theater! It doesn’t have the fancy modern recliner seating, but I love the neighborhood-institution vibe, the vintage decor, super affordable tickets and food, fun showings of classic movies. Cool theater with tons of seating - oh, and fun pre-show quotes and local ads.

I am in Minneapolis for a conference and traveling back to California in the morning. Among my travel rituals is seeking out the best spots for popcorn. I have always love popcorn, but during the COVID pandemic of 2020, when everything closed down, a local theater sold popcorn and snacks for pick up. It offered a sense of normalcy during a trying time. Anyway, when looking up best popcorn in Minneapolis, Riverview kept coming up. I jumped in a Lyft and went down to the theater. The staff were very friendly and welcoming and the popcorn alone was worth the trip .. REAL BUTTER!! I wish I had time to stay and watch a movie, but had to get back to pack. If you love popcorn and are in Minneapolis, highly recommend.

The cleanliness and one of the few theaters left where the rooms aren't too big. Good popcorn. The sound could be more audible.

Over the years, I've always heard such great things about Riverview Theater and this last Wednesday, 10/30/24 I was finally able to experience it for myself. First thought, I love the old cozy movie theater vibes. The gal at the ticket booth was very friendly and personable. Her and I talked for a few minutes and it was so nice... it's not everyday you experience this type of interaction at a business. We had to wait a few minutes for the theater to clear out but no big deal at all because it gave me time to decide which size popcorn bowl I wanted. The lady at the concession counter was very nice as well and told me how yummy the popcorn was, so I decided to go with the medium size instead of the small size. Bonus- it's served with REAL butter. I appreciate how it's pick your own seat and the screen is HUGE. Tons of seating offered. Although, the seats don't recline like other movie theaters, they are still fairly comfortable. The prices here are incredibly reasonable and more my jam as it's affordable. Theater was decorated so cool like back in the day and very clean. I'm already looking forward to my upcoming showing in January 2025.

An amazing atmosphere! Super inexpensive too for being in St. Paul. Saw a complete unknown and it was great!

Warning this is a cash only place but they do have an ATM on site. This is a single screen theater with cloth seats. Their popcorn is some of the best in the twin cities. The staff is always amazing and friendly. They even have popcorn to go

A cool smaller theater with old but nice touches. I appreciated the locally owned and small business compared to the larger venues. Get there early if you are picky about seats so you can sit wherever you want. My only negative was the screen seemed a bit smaller than what I was used too. Otherwise a great experience!

Go for the movie, stay for the real butter popcorn! Bonus is that you also get comfortable seats in a community treasure of a theater. It's not like the theaters at the mall, it's a step back in time and so much better. They'll also just sell you popcorn if you don't have time to stay for a movie.

Increasing my rating to a four star because this threaten grows on you. The prices and quality of popcorn continue to be amazing, and yes the floors are still sticky. On the upside, Riverview Theater now offers online sales, so now you can save your cash for the cash only concessions(they still have an ATM). Keep in mind they are currently requiring proof of vaccination as you enter.

What a wonderful theater and neighborhhood spot! The cherry on top, it's an amazing way to support a local business and have a great time at a great price! If you're a true movie lover, this is a must try spot! Or if you just love movie theater popcorn, stop by for to go popcorn!

Honestly I think this is a great family friendly environment. The popcorn was spot on but everything else was pretty mediocre. The seats were definitely not the cleanest and it smells as if someone peed in the theater.

Love to go to movies here! You can't beat the price for the tickets or the concessions. If you sit in the front half of the theater (rows AA or forward) the seats have been redone and are comfortable and have cupholders. The sound quality is fine for most people. And the screen is plenty big enough. They usually show more independent films or movies that have been out for a bit but the last few months it seems like they have had all the newest movies. If you are the type of person that needs super duper surround sound and 3d and the seats to recline all the way back then maybe this is not the place for you. But if you want a night out with a big screen, wonderfully low cost tickets, reasonably priced, delicious popcorn and perfectly comfortable chairs then definitely check this place out!

This theater is a great deal! Beautiful setting and affordable concessions with real butter on the popcorn. I bought tickets online with my credit card but realized in-person they only take cash for concessions, so come prepared! There is an ATM on-site. Large popcorn is $5. Large soda is $4.

The actual theater dates back to the late 1940s. However IMHO it didn't become a true movie palace until it was renovated in the mid-1950s. It ran as a neighborhood institution until it was restored to retro-glory around 20 years ago. It has become a (non-musty) museum of 50s modern. A well done step back in time to when going out to see a film was an occasion. A portal to a different era but catering to a contemporary crowd. I think that this single screen theater and lobby are treasures. Great sight lines, solid sound system, comfortable seating, good (real) food and friendly staff. What more could a person want? The Riverview has become in my estimation a regional attraction. An excellent place to catch a flick if you ask me.

I love a local, independently owned movie theater but this one needs to improve on their customer service skills. We received two gift certificates for our wedding from a friend who's son worked at Riverview. These gift certificates didn't have any kind of expiration date on them. Sure, it was about a year before we used them but the Riverview staff wouldn't honor them. That's just poor customer service in my opinion. They let us use them for a free popcorn but still pretty disappointing. Also, it seems like they don't frequently clean their popcorn salt and seasoning dispensers as it was super difficult to sprinkle on the popcorn (like the lid was caked with residue). I plan to give the Riverview another try but don't expect too much.

i love riverview! so friendly and awesome! i couldn't image going to any other theater the popcorn is so wonderful

I came here during The Strange Times; so like ten months into the pandemic. It was my first time here in a long time, and the experience was afflicted not only by the pandemic but by the fact that it was a special Sundance screening. I've been here many times before, and I'm surprised I haven't reviewed it sooner. So bearing in mind the aforementioned caveats, here we go... This theater is very charming! It is a single-screen neighborhood cinema with a very Kennedy-era aesthetic. Normally they show second-run movies for around $3, but they also often do festival events and other one-off screenings. When I was here in early 2021, the concession stand was closed as a COVID safety measure (you can't wear a mask if you're chomping on popcorn), but I'm pretty sure they would normally have typical refreshments at typical movie theater prices. Maybe a little less? The auditorium has updated seating that is pretty comfortable but doesn't have generous amounts of leg room. The back half of the auditorium is stadium-style. It's a good size, and they seem to have modern digital projection equipment. Sometimes when people in the lobby are noisy it is audible in the auditorium, though. Overall this is a really cool place to see any movie. As of the first week of February, 2021, they aren't open for normal showings but they offer fresh popcorn to go. I'm looking forward to returning when things are back to normal!

This is one of the jewels of the Twin Cities. I love the place, the atmosphere, the people working there, the popcorn, the movies they show (although they used to be better before the pandemic...I think now they show too many Hollywood blockbusters)., the prices...Hope they never ever close down.

I've been a million times, it's an amazing amenity to have in South Mpls. It's changed many times over the years, and currently is doing first run movies instead of second run movies like in the past. The snack bar food isn't ridiculously expensive like at other theaters, and it's always an experience to just soak the place in. People here are always excited to just be here, so you get a real community, interactive experience. But it's large so you can always get a good seat. And they do other fun stuff too!

I love this theater . Old style theater . No fancy seats just reg movie seats with good prices and great popcorn real butter .nice staff , and often have fun events like midnight showings of rocky horror or Lord of ring trilogy's or older movies . This theater is all about nostalgia . Love it and have for many many years

Old school theater. They replay famous movies. Dear very comfortable like in the old time. Many families. Popcorn is affordable I like big name movie theaters. Not sure about parking, yet had to park several block away.

Fate drew me to this place and I fell in love with the it from the moment I entered the lobby. Wow, what a gem. If you love films, film history, the romance of the theater or just love stepping back in time, this is the place for you. A lobby with vintage furnishings and mid-century vibes. The theater is a single screen with 700 seats! Projection and sound was very good. We did not get concessions so I can't comment on that. I hope to return whenever we get back to Minneapolis.

This is one of my favorite places to go around the cities to catch a flick. I'm a big movie nerd, and this theater rocks. Riverview has great budget friendly prices. (If you can wait a few extra weeks to see a movie after it's in the main theaters.) The popcorn is my favorite here. The workers are friendly. I don't have anything really negative to write. We drive here from Burnsville once in awhile because we love it so much.

Still one of my favorite theaters. Price is dirty cheap and they have theeee best popcorn! It's always nice when you don't have to take out a small personal loan to go to the movies. I'll wait a month til the movie comes to this theater unless it's one I absolutely have to see. Great staff and theater.

My favorite theatre. I have been coming here for 47 years. They have comfortable seats, great sound and are the only art deco movie theatre in Minnesota. Not only do they show second run features but they have special screenings. Hitchcock, holiday favorites and some indies too. My grandfather lived nearby when I was a child and then I lived in the neighborhood for many years. Not much changed at the Riverview. Still the real butter on the popcorn and the low admission prices. Better seats and sound over the years and still a great place to go. In my teens, a boy was bothering us so I dumped popcorn on his head. With real sticky butter. I was kicked out for a while but so worth it. We still make the journey back as often as we can. They had Tippi Hedren for a screening of The Birds and used to do the Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight. The memories are wonderful.

This adorable old-school theater is my favorite place to grab a bucket of popcorn and see a $3 movie. They play movies that have been in theaters for a while, or they do fun themed movie nights such as screening the sing-a-long version of The Sound Of Music. I love how everyone in the theater claps at the end of the picture too - so endearing. The vintage architecture is much appreciated inside the actual theater. Love this place! Great, friendly employees!

Love, love, love the Riverview. Prices for tickets and concessions can't be beaten. The decor is charming and I'm a fan of the special screenings they do around Christmas (it's become a tradition to go see A Christmas Story here). Street parking can be really tricky here, but you can typically find something not too far away. Great neighborhood with food options close by, too.

I. CANT. BELIEVE. I HAVENT BEEN HERE SOONER!!!!! Absolutely amazing. When I first walked into this theater my jaw dropped - how effing cool. It's a huuuuuge theatre with what seemed like hundreds of seats. OH IM SORRY did I fail to mention that THREE movie tickets were six bucks. We're talking $2.00 a ticket.. and i'm not lying popcorn is a buck. The entire theater has been kept 70's style - the bathrooms are cool, the carpeting is cool, the light fixtures you guessed it.. super cool. I'll be back a few million times, this place is seriously amazing. It's a definite hidden gem that everyone living in minneapolis needs to go check out.

My favorite place to go see a movie by myself, and one of the few $3 ($2 matinee) movie theaters left in the TC area. Riverview is great and located in Longfellow. There are plenty of spots in the area to check out before or after a movie. Riverview has one screen to show one movie at a time, and has been around since 1948. It's an awesome theatre and always chill. Depending on the movie, audience interaction can occur and is delightful 98% of the time. Riverview shows cult classics around Halloween and has a throwback summer series in the evening. It's always fun to go here and support a local neighborhood movie theatre.

I love this theater so much! Old school style. Inexpensive prices. Sweet neighborhood location. It's like stepping back in time! $3 evening movie prices are more than affordable. You can even get popcorn, a soda, and candy! I still need to stop by the wine bar sometime soon. I've enjoyed specialty screenings here too. You really can't go wrong here for dates, with friends, or by yourself you will have an amazing experience.

No theater in the Twin cities are going to beat their prices! Your ticket stub can also serve as a coupon for certain local businesses so hold onto it! The seats aren't recliner style, just the old school classic red theater seats. There is a slight incline so shorter people who sit in the back (like me!) can still see. There was a lot of seating available. Bring cash! There is an ATM available. The popcorn is served with real butter. Street parking available. Come early if you're worried about finding a spot. We didn't struggle much for the late showing. It's a great cheap date idea!

One of a kind theater with one screen and different movies playing throughout the day. It has classic movies and movies that have been released approximately two months ago. The ticket and food prices are very reasonable.

If Yelp had a "sixth star" award, Riverview Theater might be my first choice to receive it. The charm, the prices, the special runs of movies (like Beetlejuice during the late night summer series of 2018!), it all comes together to make this the best theater in the city. Scouts honor. Does it have the biggest screen? Does it have Dolby surround sound? Can you order a beer? All no, but that's not why you come to a 'cheap' theater in the first place. It's great for a cheap date, young or old, and the early shows are great for the childrens. I grew up in a small town with a single stall theater, so this place makes me nostalgic. The 50s vibe of the lobby is also cool. And seriously where else can you get a ticket, medium drink and popcorn for under $10?! They even played games of the 2018 World Cup here!! (Also confession: my first movie here was Maleficent) If you've lived in the cities for awhile and have never been here, come on down to south Minneap for a an old school cinema experience!

Riverview is awesome. Full disclosure: if you're not a fan of older theaters without state-of-the-art sound systems or modern seating and amenities, this review is not for you. I love the old-fashioned appeal of this place. It reminds of the Oriental Theater in Milwaukee. There are a lot of great first-, second-, and third-run movies here, and it's awesome to see unique shows when the film festival comes around. Prices are arguably the best in the city when it comes to wanting to find a film for cheap.

$2 movies is a deal that you can't beat anywhere else. They also show specialty movies on occasion. The biggest draw back is that it's a cash only place. There are plenty of places to eat in the neighborhood if you want to make it a dinner and movie kind of night. The seats are comfortable and nicely spaced for an older theater. This is my go to place when I want to see a movie for a second time or I'm not so into it in the first place :)

The Riverview is a great throwback in what is becoming a ridiculously overpriced tradition - going out to the movies. Sure, most showings here are of second-run flicks or cult classics, but the price is right and this place has a ton of retro charm. Matinees will run you $2, while evening shows will run you $3 (save for some special screenings, which will sometimes be more). Munchies are also priced reasonably and I can't think of the last time I have seen real butter served on popcorn, which is a very welcome respite from the hydrogenated motor oil most other theaters offer. The theater itself might not be as technically up to snuff with some of the other more modern theaters (i.e., no 3D, IMAX, POV, S&M, Blu-Ray or whatever), but sound quality and the picture are still fairly good, though I recommend not sitting too far in the back.

There's not much I can write that hasn't been written already. I usually can't stand seeing movies at AMC. I prefer to give my money to independent theaters. I feel like I'm basically stealing whenever I see a movie at the Riverivew. $2-3 for a ticket, come on, that's unheard of! The last time I paid that much for a movie was in the 90s. I find that the crowd is generally nice and polite. The inside of the Riverview is beautiful. You just have to see it for yourself. I also love their website. Is that a weird thing to say? It's seriously awesome. GO THERE NOW!

Favorite theater in the cities! Can't beat the ticket price - $2 matinees and $3 evening shows. I find myself frequently wishing I had their popcorn, which is also super cheap, and is the BEST movie theater popcorn. They sometimes do special showings and rotate their movies often enough that you can go every couple weeks, and not even come close to breaking the bank if you do! Great theater in a great neighborhood.

I hate to do this but I must. These last few times, although I still LOVE this place, I can hardly stand the musty smell. It's gotten progressively worse over the past few years. I know I have a keen sense of smell since I'm blind as a bat but I can not believe I'm the only one smelling this. I really hope they either shampoo the carpets and/or the seats soon because it's really Stanky!!

The Riverview Theater is a hidden gem. Cheap tickets, comfy seats, delicious popcorn, and a huge lobby that feels more like a retro lounge. They don't take credit cards, though, so bring cash.

I had my first ever experience with Riverview Theater a week or so ago and it was a genuinely charming one. The show was only 3 dollars per head, and concessions were very fairly priced with additional package deals. The staff I encountered were friendly and helpful without being sugar coated. All of these things accompanying the Art Deco style of the theater made me feel like I was transported back in time. I left happy and satisfied with the whole experience

I like to sit in the corner of the lobby if I get there early and pretend that I'm in that Kevin Kline movie - what's it called? - Ice Storm. The feeling that the lobby invokes in me may well have nothing to do with 1973, but that's about when I attribute it too. And the furniture seems right. (I realize that it's supposed to be 50s retro, but I wasn't alive in either decade, so I'm sticking to my guns) Post-show, I always try to leave time to go across the street for a drink at the Riverview Wine Bar. They have a nice selection, if not surprising, and the folks behind the bar make an effort to find something you'll like. It's a cute place to boot. The food's pretty good too. I wish they'd set up a satellite bar in the theater itself. Because the popcorn is divine at Riverview and would be even better with a cold beer, eh?

The popcorn really is that good. Is it over 100 degrees again? We're headed to the Riverview! $2 matinees = a happy family. I'd feel like a bad parent if I let my kids watch movies all day at home, but going to the Riverview makes me feel like I'm exposing them to some culture. At least until Rio starts. (Thank you Riverview bc kids movies are rarely worth full price) It also seems like every adult movie I want to see ends up at the Riverview eventually. This place knows Minneapolis.

Love this place, the decor, the popcorn, the prices, the local ads before the movie, no previews. And I love movies at 11am! Thank you. Cash only. (No, this is not 70s decor, millennials.)

The Great: cheap tickets, cheap popcorn (get the classic popcorn and coke $5), retro decor, huge single screen The Not-So-Great: cash only, crowded on weekends and first runs, parking can be a challenge The Deal: My favorite theater in the cities, located in a quiet neighborhood off the beaten path. This place rules!

I'm in love with this place... Not only do I love the $2 movie tickets, the decor, the real butter, a cheap date night, a fun atmosphere, great staff, quickly rotating showings and there is always something good to see! Going to set up weekly get togethers for friends during the winter so we can keep our community tight during the winter months! Thanks for such a wonderful gem of a theater!

Favorite spot in town to catch a movie. Great old school atmosphere that makes you feel right at home when watching a movie. The prices cannot be beat and they air a wide variety of movies!

My favorite theater! Not only is it affordable ($3 tickets!), but the place is beautiful. The snacks offered at the concessions are also very decently priced. What other theater can you get an admission ticket + popcorn + drink for under $10?! Nowhere nowadays... It is a cash only theater and they only have one screen so it can get a little packed on the weekends, but I refuse to go to any other theater (unless I get free screening passes). No movie is worth paying $10+ to see, I'll wait the extra month or two to see it here.

Since covid ban has been lifted, they have raised their prices to $5 and $7 for a movie. It seems like they only play kids movies for the past several years. I loved it for the nostalgic look hence the one star but with the all of a sudden ridiculous price gouge and the "kids" movies, I will not be coming back!!!

I would give this place infinite stars if I could. A great locally owned theater not owned by some huge corporation. Yes, this theater is that damn good. Where I currently live, we do not have a cool theater like this. Of course where I live is a haven of gentrification gone mad. Or as some of us in California call it: Irvine. But enough of my rant about America's "greatest master planned community" and it's ever increasingly suffocating population, let's get back to reviewing this retro gem of a cinema house in the quaint Longfellow neighborhood. Unlike AMC, Regal, Carmike, Cineplex Odious, or whatever corporate theater chain rules the roost in your neck of the woods, this place does not rip you off. For $13 (which might get you a popcorn and maybe a small drink at other places), my wife and I were able to get admission for two to a 9:15pm showing of "Purple Rain", a sizeable medium (it was bigger than medium) tub of buttered popcorn, and two "Purple Rain" (Sprite with purple grape flavoring in honor of Prince) drinks. They use real butter in their popcorn which was evident by the clean non-greasy taste that is not often found by "buttered flavored topping" at other theaters. The "Purple Rain" wasn't bad either even if it was Sprite. The seats were as comfortable as you would find at your local megaplex with stadium seating. The cup holders were also a nice touch as well. The screen and the sound were just right. You don't feel like you get your ear drums decimated by their sound. Clean and audible. The screen is huge. The nice touch is that one of the employees introduced the film "Purple Rain" before the showing started with a nice tribute to Prince. While some people may feel that she did not need to do that, it was a nice touch and another example of what movie going was like in another era. I hope they never tear down this theater because I plan on patronizing this place every time I come back to Minneapolis. A nice gem of a place in a neighborhood where everything feels real, not manufactured.