The Frida Cinema

I came in from Houston for the OCLFF at this venue. I found it to be small but big enough for this function. Very clean inside and out. It has charm all over and fits the area well. You should go once and that's all it takes to hook 🪝 you in. The rows of seats have so much room that you can stretch your legs with ease.

I love this place, great concession prices, excellent seats, and friendly customer service. The vibe of the theater brings me back to how going to the movies used to feel.

An amazing indie cinema with a great line up of films every day! There’s a ton of charm and love packed in this place, you can tell the staff and volunteers really care about the art, from the classics to obscure, foreign and domestic. Would definitely come back!

I didn't know places like this still existed?! Character and charm for days. It's like stepping back in time to your small hometown theater that delightfully pays homage to classics and is an outlet for new Indy films. The staff is exceptionally attentive, a remarkably vast snack bar and even has fun movie related sundry items for sale. Take time to appreciate the painted murals; very well done and communicate their very cool vibe. Remarkably affordable, seats are so comfy and sound was excellent. Additionally, there is a parking garage around corner, well lit, and plenty of interesting shops and libations surrounding the theater.

Never a dull moment at the famous Frida Cinema. I've been going for 7 years and this place still dazzles me each and everytime I step into the lobby. Great films, fantastic concessions, and life long memories all in one spot

I took three of my four kids to see Rocky Horror here. The theater was very nostalgic looking. And we had a blast! It was a bit of a drive for me, I don't live in the area. But I definitely would go back for other events. The prices were reasonable as well.

It has a great atmosphere, and the food is not overpriced. The buttery popcorn was delicious. We were there for the Cast and crew screening of Blue Murder @missbeverlyrose

Frida Cinema is located in the heart of downtown Santa Ana, a super charming and artsy area lined with fun shops and restaurants. I parked in the structure nearby, but there are also parking stalls with meters lined along the street. I love Frida Cinema because it shows indie films, throwback movies, and special features at good prices! I went to watch "Grave of the Fireflies" today and only paid $8 for my ticket (+$1 online fee). The lobby area was colorful and hip and the inside of the theater was decently spacious and clean. What a fun place! I will definitely come back for more of Frida Cinema's special events in the future!!! :D

Mother-daughter date at The Frida Cinema was nothing but good times. $10 movie tickets is a win itself, but this nonprofit independent cinema is also so unique and welcoming. The Frida Cinema is situated in the heart of Downtown Santa Ana, and fits right into the cultural district. We were greeted by a very friendly worker, who later came into the theater to announce our movie. We watched Little Women, one of the two movies playing for the day. I had a great time! They play many classics, horrors, and diverse films that are selected. Other movies currently playing include Gremlins and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. You can go on their website and check out their movies. I would definitely go back and catch a movie again at The Frida Cinema. You can also rent the venue for film screenings, birthday parties, etc.

Frida Cinema is a great little treasure of Santa Ana. It's a non-profit art house theater, so if you are a cinephile, you will be in love with the variety of films they show and the community there. I've always bought my tickets online so it's also chill for anyone who wants to watch movies alone. It's a small theater with what looks to be two viewing rooms, but the art on the walls and interior aesthetics is beautiful. They sometimes have posters of the film you can take home. The staff are really friendly and you can tell they love what they do. There's also a paid film club membership you can join which is great for locals. My only complaint is that the chairs in the theaters are super uncomfortable to me. Plaza has parking but may need to circle around a few times if you want free parking. Otherwise you pay for metered parking ($4 for about two hours, free past 10pm) or in the very close by parking structure (not sure about cost there).

Came here twice, once for a screening of Heat and more recently for the 30th anniversary event for Se7en, and this theater is great! The location is pretty nice, right next to the 4th St Market, and there's a parking structure right next to it that's 3 or 5 dollars I forgot. The interior and decorations were cute and festive, especially for the horrorbuzz event with the jack o lanterns, lollipops, the themed blood sack cocktail and raffle prize! The screens are decently sized, the audio systems are pretty well tuned in my opinion, and the film selections / series are well thought out. I would say small downsides are the seats aren't the most comfortable in the world, and at least for the right auditorium if you sit the front half area, there's not great elevation so if someone pretty tall sits in front of you their head might slightly block the bottom portion of the screen. Honestly it beats having to drive to LA and dealing with the headaches of traffic and parking, so I'll gladly come back and keep supporting :)

Hands down one of the best historical movies theater in OC. The Frida offers a monthly membership fee for unlimited movies or pay per view.

The Frida is a staple of the movie-going experience in Southern California. As we witness the decline of traditional moviegoing, this location remains a bastion of hope for those who still love cinema. It's affordable, accessible, and an all around wonderful experience. As arthouse as it gets--no notes!

This is an iconic non-profit movie theater! They have lots of seasonal activities and promos and tickets for a reasonable prize. I love watching classic movies and special screenings here, especially The Room, where it's interactive and there's so much energy. Bathrooms are clean, staff is friendly, refreshments are available for a decent prize, and the place has a wonderful artistic vibe. A must- go if you're in Orange County!

Frida Cinema is located in the heart of downtown Santa Ana, a super charming and artsy area lined with fun shops and restaurants. I parked in the structure nearby, but there are also parking stalls with meters lined along the street. I love Frida Cinema because it shows indie films, throwback movies, and special features at good prices! I went to watch "Grave of the Fireflies" today and only paid $8 for my ticket (+$1 online fee). The lobby area was colorful and hip and the inside of the theater was decently spacious and clean. What a fun place! I will definitely come back for more of Frida Cinema's special events in the future!!! :D

Absolutely love this theater. Worth every penny making the trip to come catch a great feature film. I'm an absolute fan of old movies, and it's even a better treat when they host special events here. Everything from celebrating film anniversaries with a celebrity Q&A panel, to watching Godzilla on 16mm film, and my of all time favorite....HORROR marathons! Full service concession stand, popcorn,nachos, beer , candy, sodas! Enjoy the mural and artwork on display in the lobby. Some of the art is available for purchase. Staff is exceptional and friendly. I can't thank them enough for taking care of such a great theater. Check out their website for movies in rotation, special events. You can purchase tickets in advance or at the door. Card payments accepted. Off street parking available out front, but you'll have to feed the meter. Just pay the few extra bucks and park around the corner in the parking garage. Plenty of restaurants in the area, with a large food hall one block down. Enjoy and come out and let's keep the love of film alive.

I didn't know places like this still existed?! Character and charm for days. It's like stepping back in time to your small hometown theater that delightfully pays homage to classics and is an outlet for new Indy films. The staff is exceptionally attentive, a remarkably vast snack bar and even has fun movie related sundry items for sale. Take time to appreciate the painted murals; very well done and communicate their very cool vibe. Remarkably affordable, seats are so comfy and sound was excellent. Additionally, there is a parking garage around corner, well lit, and plenty of interesting shops and libations surrounding the theater.

Awesome place to see movies! The staff is super kind and generous, and the interior is clean and charming. Tickets are fairly priced and so are the concessions. Decor was also super cute for Halloween! Overall amazing experience and will 110% be back :)

Cool art house with friendly staff. We visited late October so lots of fun Halloween decor. Located in visitor friendly downtown Santa Ana. So many eateries and murals to enjoy while walking 4th Street. Parking in structure is suggested with decent pricing. Website is easy to navigate. Would definitely make the drive to enjoy another pleasant Sunday afternoon.

TLDR; You should absolutely go out of your way to go here This the best and only non profit movie theater in Orange County. You know how sometimes you feel like experiencing a movie in a theater, but maybe it was released before your time? The Frida has a good variety of throwback movies every month. It's also in a perfect location for dinner & a movie/drinks. They also have Q&As with the directors on select films which is cool for those that are maybe pursuing the arts and want to pick the brain of those who have made movies before. + volunteers who keep this place running are always so nice. + tickets are always fair & definitely worth it. Cheaper than a regular movie theater. Go here for good vibes

I visited the Frida Cinema for a showing of an independent film. I thought that was so cool and it was such a fun experience! The staff were super friendly and they were able to rangle the viewers well as it did get really packed at one point. They have good priced concessions which is rare these days and they even serve beer! The inside of the theater was nice and clean too. I will definitely be back to see a film in the future.

I visited The Frida Cinema last night. I wanted to check out the Monochromatic Memories art show in the lobby. I was fascinated by all the art pieces on display. I also admired the murals that adorn the lobby walls. I like the vibe of the cinema.

I was at this theater few days ago to watch The Hitcher (1986 film) starring C. Thomas Howell as (Jim Halsey) and Rutger Hauer as a murderous hitchhiker. And C. Thomas Howell was there in person to introduce the movie. How cool is that!!!! Love this small non-profit venue that showing old movies and special appearance of these actors

Love that this theater is the only orange county non-profit cinema! I've seen a couple of throwback films that are near and dear to my heart. Tonight I watched the original Halloween and loved seeing first timers watching it and it still holding strong! I love the themes they do and little contests, as well as experiences! Definitely have a few movies I'm looking forward to soon!

Took myself on a solo date to watch wolf children. Oh my gosh, such a cute film! I cried a few times not gonna lie. The place was cleaner than anticipated. The staff was nice. I did not purchase snacks here as I ate before I came. I will come back to watch another movie next week since it is such a good price and there was not that many people in the theatre which is a plus for a lady like me lol.

We are lucky to be close to some great places in LA, but it was worth the drive to give our film loving family a new indie theater experience. Follow on Instagram so you can see all the cool stuff they are showing!

Easy parking at the lot nearby in the area, safe lights and easy to find theater. Staff is friendly and have great snacks and drinks that are beyond affordable. Try to tip since they inform you they're independently operated. And if anything is ever wrong staff are always easy to find. Great times.

I'm glad this place exists, but truth be told, it's not my favorite place to see films. I really hope they can get a big enough donation to completely overhaul the theatre, grimy bathrooms, seating, and all. While we're at it, it would be great if they could actually clean their soda machines because the overpriced soda tastes like dirty dish rags, not soda. That being said, I came to see a film recently and they had technical difficulties that weren't addressed for over 30 mins. Imagine just sitting in silence for over 30 mins, waiting for a film to start. Looking at some of the other reviews here this doesn't seem like an uncommon experience at The Frida. I appreciated that we were given complimentary tickets for the trouble but again, the vibe here just always feels a bit off. I only come once or twice a year when they are playing something extra special that I know I can't see elsewhere. I appreciate the idea of this place and I'm glad it's been around for 10+ years at this point, but it needs some work.

Welcoming staff, intimate vibe, great movies, good prices! A great chill Friday night date night or friend outing activity :)

On any given calendar week, I am certain there will be a movie playing at the Frida to please everyone's tastes. Orange County is so lucky to have such a wonderful place for appreciating film. The schedules at the Frida are so clearly curated with thought, I am often amazed by the range of films being offered. Any given week, you can walk into almost any genre of film. I most recently attended this past weekend for the Twilight Saga marathon (and phew -- was THAT a marathon!) Frida staff came in between each film to do a fun activity with the viewers, were available for any questions or concerns, and really made the day as enjoyable as possible. I'm also a Frida film club member and I would recommend it to anyone who just enjoys hanging out at the Frida. For ~$150 (cheapest option) a year, you get access to monthly film club only screenings and events. It pays for itself, and it supports this amazing theater. Which brings me to my final point ... reviews complaining of snacks being offered and popcorn taste, please remember: this is a nonprofit! I would guess that a good amount of the staff at the Frida are volunteers, taking time out of their day just to help out. If you feel that there is something at the Frida that is not up to par, I would bet anything they are always taking donations. Just a thought. ;) The Frida is such an asset to the community and such a worthwhile place to visit!

The Frida is such a sick theater. It was always my girlfriend's first choice when going to see a good movie, and after a couple times of going, it has become my number one theater to attend as well. The staff is very nice and respectful, you can also really tell that they love being there. The prices ate always very reasonable when we decided to go as well.

What a cute homey theatre!!!! I love it!!!!! The place is so cozy and the decor is the cutest. Almost all the seats have a great view of the theatre and the staff is so kind. There is paid parking behind the theatre!

This theater was amazing. Great screen and fantastic programming. I just wish it was closer to my house. I would be a regular for sure.

Small privately-owned theater in DTSA. Shows classic old flicks as well as newer avant garde films. A must! Watch their ever-changing schedule and treat yourself to a great movie!

Never knew there was a nice little theater here in Santa Ana. It was super intimate and cute. I enjoyed the mural outside on the parking structure. Came on a weekday evening and met with a friend to see a movie. It was great. The concession was nice, all the staff were great and the bathroom was clean. Only thing is there is not too much street parking without a walk and if you use the structure there is a fee. You can use a card to pay. Would come back again for sure and lots of restaurants to eat at close by.

Not enough good things to say about The Frida. Love it. Great place and film selections. Good popcorn, drinks, and snacks. They have lots of cool events here too. There's a parking lot nearby with a short walk.

Great community run/owned theatre. The staff is super friendly and the ticket prices are great. It's very small and I think they only have 2 screens but I love the idea of supporting the small guys. Concession stand isn't the biggest and my popcorn was a little stale so maybe ask before ordering. I'm sure they wouldn't mind popping a fresh batch. Don't forget to donate a few bucks to keep this gem open.

Really cute theatre, came in to see the new Frida. The seats were really comfortable, staff was super nice and they serve alcohol!! I adored the bathroom too, the wallpaper was full of images of Frida. Overall, great experience.

The union hosted a movie screening for members here. The management team we worked with were great, very accommodating, helpful and supported the movement of equity for the working class. The theater has an old school vibe, slightly dark, posters and stickers posted everywhere and affordable concession prices. The seats were cloth, no recline but comfortable. Such a hit with our group. We watched American Dream and Other Fairy Tales by Abigail Disney, depicting the story of Cast Members working at Disneyland. Several of the members attending was starring in the film. What a great time.

Came here for a special all-day 12 hour marathon of horror movies. The location is awesome - parking garage and street parking are ample and close, and there are lots of food and shopping options nearby if you need to kill time. There's a really fantastic food court sort of thing about a block away (come out of the theater doors and make a right, walk about a block up) with tons of small restaurants inside, delicious options including vegan. So the location is rad! The theater itself is a historic one that is really cool - the people who work there really care about film and you can tell. They have human projectionists and this is kind of a boutique art house/cult/revival cinema, you're not going to come here to watch Oppenheimer in IMAX. But you can come get a giant bucket of popcorn, settle into your non-heated and non-reclining velvet and wood seat, and watch the film reels roll with classics and favorites. Keep an eye on their calendar for awesome themed events (there's an upcoming all-day marathon of the entire Twilight franchise for example, with unlimited free coffee included in your ticket price). Support indie cinema and physical media!!!

The theater is nice and the staff is friendly, I love they play independent films. If you plan to visit the theater make sure you leave early because parking is a nightmare.

The Frida is an absolute gem tucked into the center of Orange County. It is the only non-profit arthouse movie theater in the entire Orange County and has the most incredible monthly calendar of movies. I've been going here for over A DECADE and no place around can offer what The Frida offers. They show a great mix of modern indie releases, cult classics, and films that their volunteers and supporting members ask to be played. What other theater do you know where you can simply ask them to play your favorite movie soon?

I took my grand daughter to an afternoon matinee. I was pleasantly surprised. The seats were very comfortable. The staff was extremely nice and welcoming Everything in the snack bar was reasonably priced. Definitely will be back.

It has been on my bucket list to visit The Frida Cinema and it did not disappoint. Their rotating schedule of movies has something for everyone and the prices are cheaper than a big chain theater. The theming inside is also super cool and the staff are friendly.

We needed to find our chinchillas a new home and asked lots of local businesses to let us put up flyers. Although tons said yes, we found lots didn't actually do it. The Frida not only put up our flyer, but was incredibly kind to us when we asked. They genuinely care about the community and people in it! We always see them not only at community events, but also hosting community events. They have wonderful prices for both movies you might not have ever seen and ones you know and love.

Amazing local cinema house to come watch a movie, themed events, shows, art exhibits, movie marathons, etc. Owner is very community involved with local organizations and city and also helps put on free community events for children. Greta org to support

We had a quite enjoyable time, I took my whole family! Halloween time was perfect to watch the show. The actors were excellent, the security guard outside was kind. We got popcorn and Icies. I can't wait to go back, and see some other classic movies. Just found out that Freda, is orange county's only nonprofit theater. We appreciate you!

A true gem and highlight to any trip to greater L.A. Are you someone who thinks they are well organized? Have a look at their monthly calendar and you will realize precisely how off your game is, lol. Yeah, they don't mess around. I attended Jesus Christ Superstar (3.17.24), my first time seeing it, and the movie was preceded by a 4 person panel of speakers who had all played a significant role in the movie - from Ted Neeley (Jesus) to David James (Set Photographer) to the Rob Iscove (Choreographer) to Kurt Yaghjian (Annas, the High Priest) a fellow cast member... and the man responsible for creating a documentary on the film, Frank Munoz. What a first experience of both the film and the theater for me! Afterward the panel were available for autographs and photo ops. Also, there was a huge merchandise table there with some one of a kind photographs from the filming that, additionally, were signed by Setb Photgrapher David James.

Great place to go to watch some classic movies! It's a small theater so don't expect something big and extravagant like an AMC or Regals. Went here to watch "The Room" (Best movie ever made). Just kidding, it's the worst movie ever made, but the crowd makes it a fun atmosphere! Everyone was into the movie and very well animated. They serve alcohol drinks and beers here as well!

Feels like home! Everyone is friendly and helpful. Great selection of movies. The Rocky Horror Show is still on!

The first time I came to The Frida was around Christmas last year. Guess what it was for! One of the best Christmas movies out there -- Die Hard!!! For some strange reason, I thought I saw the original Die Hard, but I never did. So sad... now recollecting it, I've only seen 2 and 3! (Ooops... sorry. That was a side tangent. Back to the subject!) Second time was for The Mummy. Another amazing experience; they had a quartet play the film score prior to the showing. But I still loved my first time there more because they also had a local Santa Ana artist Die Hard poster. This now hangs on my wall of my Geeks Corner at home. This time (the third experience) was for my first Yelp Elite event. We watched one of my favorite movies -- Back to the Future! Great Scott! They even had a Delorean and Doc at the front of the cinema for geeks like me. I didn't even know OC had a Delorean Club! I love all three of the times I have been here. They are all movies that I love and each one has an awesome bonus on the side. One was supporting a local artist, another was a string quartet, and this one was for Yelp OC! Can't wait for more classic films.

If you wanna step into a Time Machine you found the right spot. From the little bags of popcorn to the old school style chairs I felt like I was in the 90's. I love coming here. Tickets are online and they sell Beer !

Very glad I found this place! We have been frequenting the Horror Movie nights and every single one has been a blast! I appreciate that for most screenings they have either some sort of specialty themed drink or an art tribute show. Definitely a memorable date night!

My friends and I came here to see "The Thing" on a Saturday night. It's a very cute non-profit community movie theater. The tickets were about $10.00 and the concessions were more reasonably priced than a regular theater. It's an older theater so the seats aren't updated but very comfortable nonetheless. Our movie got started later than scheduled as there was only one guy selling tickets and concessions. It wasn't a big deal but know that you might be here a little longer when planning your night. The showing was awesome and the crowd was great. I would love to come here and see other classic movies. I would highly recommend coming here and supporting this neighborhood theater.

This is a great theater. The movie selection is perfect and the staff are super nice. It is obvious that this is a theater run by and for movie lovers. And I know this has nothing to do with the theater in particular but the parking lot was close by and reasonable.

Small, independent theater that features hard to find and cult films. It has two small screens that provide a comfortable and intimate environment. Small snack bar with a small selection. They have recently had a series of films by David Lynch and have similar series running throughout the year. Fans of Rocky Horror should know if the regular midnight screenings. The 9th annual Horrible Imaginings Film Festival was held there and I had a great time.

Want to support a local movie theater playing the classics? Well Frida Cinema in Santa Ana is a gem. Come check out the films that Frida has on their marquee. There is a good selection for all types of cinephiles. They offer small bags of popcorn in their concessions. Tickets can be purchased online. Parking is in a nearby lot. Enjoy a night out at Frida soon!