The Frida Cinema

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

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.

I always enjoy going to the Frida. Got to see some Trash-Mex and can't wait to see the entire Santos series this time. Show your support by coming to this art house!

Ok, I'm biased because my daughter's movie, Blue Murder premiered here; however, great cinema, great seats, comfy, cozy, old-school, small theater vibes....what a great time!

We went to see Selena.!! The atmosphere of the theater brought back many good memories of small theaters.. The employees were friendly & kind. Would(planning) go again & will(did) recomend..

I love the Frida cinema, they show great movies we like to revisit once in a while. I was able to see "Tommy" as a tribute to Tina Turner in my mind. The staff was helpful with the condiments, the prices are very reasonable. I will continue to patronize this great theater. Update: 11/10/23 Saw th new 4K version of the Talking Heads concert film "Stop Making Sense" tonight, the theater was packed and the place was hopping! The video and sound were incredible, people got up and were dancing in the aisles. It's so nice to have a local non-profit theater doing so well! I'll definitely be back. Update 3/23/25 The Frida never disappoints, saw Genetelmen Prefer Blonds tonight, one of the staff gave a great introduction to the movie, giving background on the production znd the actresses, it's always a great time at the Frida.

Amazing programming, great space, community outreach: this is the kind of place I’ve been waiting for and that I miss. I haven’t been back in Orange County for awhile—since moving to Hong Kong, this beautiful theater opened and has been going strong. They have great film club options, friendly and knowledgeable staff (I miss working at a theater!); good concessions, clean bathrooms, at in DTSA, next to great restaurants and shops. I will definitely be coming here several more times before the summer is out!

What a special place. I really do love what this place does for movies, and Orange County. Been coming here for years. Seen many movies, and have taken many different friends with me in all that time. When I started coming here, rarely did seats fill up. These days, I think word has gotten out. I almost see atleast half, to closer of two thirds of the seats full at almost every movie I've been to as of the last couple years here. The Frida is an independent, art house, non-profit movie theater. Run by some of the most passionate cinephiles. Evident as soon as you walk in the lobby, look up, and see the surrounding painted mural of the most iconic movie characters. You'll also find related art by local artists hung up in the lobby. Great to take a gander at. Concession are offered. The usual. Popcorn, sods, candy. A specialty offered is their boozy icee's where you can choose single or double shot with your choice of alcohol Showing largely classic films. Some foreign films. Indie films. I've really enjoyed getting to see niche anime films on the big screen here. First movie I saw here was Paprika. Used to show that frequently. Really have to recommend seeing your favorite movies here. Total Recall, The Warriors, Enter the Dragon, Heavy Metal, Conan The Barbarian, Tremors, The Fly, just saw They Live here last night. It's always a real delight, since many of my friends had not seen the movies listed. So for their first time getting to see it on the big screen has created a lot of special memories with them. Subscribe to their mailing list, follow them on Facebook and X. Keep an eye out for what they're showing. You never know when one of your all time favorites is coming up. See it while you can. Thank you to all the hardworking folks at the Frida Cinema all these years.

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 :)

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

As a retired medical hospice worker, you people have lost your minds. Masks NEVER WORKED. We all KNEW masks never stopped viruses AND they create PLEURISY from the mask collecting bacteria from your breath and touching your mask, which causes bacterial Pneumonia. Shame on you for continuing to promote this propaganda.

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?

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.

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.

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!!!

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!

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

This place speaks for internet self and the custodians who currently run it. We watched Star Wars there and over three weeks watch the entire original trilogy. I check often what is playing and keep coming back.

This place is a hidden gem. Love the interior art work on the walls. They sell cool local art and have a variety of drinks. It's a very old school place to watch older movies. Volunteers/staff are cool and professional. Great pricing for tix/drinks, ect. Always clean too and they have cool events. Very inclusive place. Can't think of any cons.

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.

coolest theatre ever. the employees all seem really cool and laid back. free posters on the way out, one time i got free popped corn during a showing of rocky horror?? THEY REAL FOR THAT. this theatre is always showing the coolest movies for relatively cheap. their previews are cool too. i really like the old school layout of the theatre and it gives it that retro feel. i love this theatre so much fr.

Easily one of the best and most diverse selection of movies for an independent theatre outside of LA.

Who doesn't love the Frida? Cute little art house theater in downtown Santa Ana. Friendly staff, cool community, and there's always something interesting to watch. 10/10 would recommend to any film lovers out there or anyone who's looking for cool places to visit in OC :)

I love the Frida and have seen a few independent music films here and believe they're up there with the L.A. indie theaters as far as their film selections go. If you've never been here, it's an OLD theater; don't expect reclining seats and IMAX theater quality. I think the last film I saw there were speakers on stands facing the audience. I could've seen the same film at a fancy theater but it would've been a farther drive and the crowd would've sucked. I go to the Frida because they show films outside of the norm. I should be there every week with all of the dope films they screen there! They just showed a series of John Waters films and I missed their screening of Teen Witch which I'm bummed about (I really wanted to see "Top That!" on the big screen). First time I came here it was to see The September Issue. Came back and saw Nick Cave's One More Time With Feeling and enjoyed it because there were only a few people in the theater and no distractions. Recently saw the one night only showing of Depeche Mode's Spirits in the Forrest and am glad they only showed it once because that film sucked, but I'm grateful to the Frida for showing it because I didn't have to venture far to see it. I usually find parking at one of the meters out front with no issues. I believe they did a few screenings at the top of the parking structure in the past for free (usually family films) which is amazing because the view from up there is nice.

The selection of movies here is always amazing and I appreciate how much effort is put into theming stuff, interior, and the attitude of all the volunteers and workers. Great screen and theater I love it

The Frida is located in the heart of downtown Santa Ana. Parking is easy and very accessible. There is a structure nearby that charges $2 per hour, free after 8pm I believe and on Sundays. The Frida is the only non-profit movie theatre in Orange County and shows some true classics. They also support the local community which I am all about. I came on Thursday 6/20 for " Too wong foo thanks for everything" in support of pride week in Orange County. Me and my sister love this movie and the cause was great. In support of pride week the Frida had contestants that were going to appear in the pride parade( Saturday 6/22/19). The contestants were taking photos with attendees and gave speeches before the movie premiere of what they were supporting within the LGBTQ community. The Frida was also serving specialty cocktails in lieu of the event and they were delicious! Otherwise, they have an old school concession stand with modern day pricing. Standard ticket pricing is $10.50 per person online there is a service fee which I believe is a $1. Otherwise, members of the Frida get tickets for a discounted rate at $7.50. I do recommend checking out their calendar for all the movies they are playing that month. I definitely love the Frida and will be back again soon! Kudos to Frida being around for 5 years! Keep rocking!!