The Neon

Very cute small theater conveniently located close to the Oregon district. I was there for almost two hours and although the seats aren’t the new larger style they were comfortable. They have a small selection of food and also sell cocktails and beer, but the counter area is tight and they really only have room for one employee serving so it’s a little slow. The lobby is very small so I suggest arriving early to avoid being cramped in that space. Overall it’s a good experience for the price.

Love the neon. Perfect spot to see awe inspiring films unavailable on streaming. Our favorite experience was attending the Hundreds of Beavers screening. We had an unforgettable time interacting with the cast, grabbing selfies, q and a session, and went home with a large signed poster. Popcorn is delicious and reasonably priced. We typically grab a large popcorn and large soda to share.

Small yet cozy and intimate. It was nice going to a local movie theater 2 minutes from my house. I really appreciate that. I enjoy supporting small businesses and local businesses in the city of Dayton.

The was my first time at the Neon and I had an absolute blast. One of the things I love the most is the ability to buy drinks and snacks at a fraction of the price of a regular movie theatre. I bought two beers, and two boxes of candy and it only cost me $12.50. The staff was extremely friendly and so clean. The chairs were so comfy as well.

Easy to find and lots of parking. Could tell that staff love movies but weren't cinema snobs. Great quality projection and sound. Seats are not reclining but were comfortable and there was a lot of leg room. Highly recommended.

If you enjoy independent films in a warm and welcoming environment, this is this place to be! They serve the community, allow their space to be rented for local events and screenings and they serve as the home of some amazing festivals including the Dayton Black Women's Film Fest.

Fabulous local cinema. The staff are super friendly, the snacks are great, and everything is a fabulous price. they always have a great mix of shows, blockbusters but also hidden gems and special events. The sound quality is good, it's not too loud. The seats are really comfortable. It is assigned seating.

What a cool place. We were in from out of town and looking to get out of the cold. Watched some of the Oscar's Shorts. Nice people, great prices, comfortable, would definitely come back if we were local!

Loved the experience! Easy to get to. Parking lot across the street and free. Helpful staff. Reasonably priced wide variety of drinks and snacks. Quaint theatre with interesting shows.

The is theater is small but has a community atmosphere. Always run into someone I know. Love the popcorn,staff is friendly and it is always clean. I give this experience five stars!

The Neon is simply the best place to watch a movie. It's settled audience in a smaller venue with really comfortable seats. Sound is great and then THE POPCORN! With a beer if you like. They even show a movie! But Mondays with captions is the best and you can get every word even the whispers! And parking! Free! What's not to like!

The Neon Aka Neon Movies Aka Dayton Repotary has managed to remain open for the past forty years thanks to in large part it is owned by the City of Dayton, although that is kept out of the public eye through City Wide Development. The Neon through finding only pays a few hundred in rent and has been able to stay afloat. Tax payer dollars also paid for the Neon to be twinned in the early 2000s. Although it should be no surprise the Neon is struggling and should be noticeable to just about anyone that notices the reduction in showtimes. Late shows after 9pm on Friday and Saturday only have become common in the theatre exhibition industry. Also common is no late shows at all is a sure sign of a dying to dead theatre, such as The Neon. Only time will tell if Dayton and it's tax dollars will keep the theatre going.

I'm glad this cinema is still around but the film programming could be a lot better. Often times, the same films that are in the multiplexes are programmed at the Neon. Meanwhile, tons of truly independent and excellent films never reach Dayton. The original Dayton Movies is still the best and definitely missed.

The Dayton Neon movies is Dayton's independent film venue. The Neon is the only place in Dayton to check out the latest in cutting edge independent film, special screenings & events. When in Dayton The Neon is a must, plus they have great snack bar, beer & wine to enjoy in the lobby or during a film. They recently hosted the Dayton premiere of Transmissions After Zero documentary on the Dayton band Brainiac. What a wonderful homecoming and celebration of Dayton's music scene. Thanks to Jonathan and the entire Neon team on running one of the best independent film venues in the world!

Best movie theater in Dayton. It's one that isn't a national chain. Sure there's only two movies at a time. Both are usually great independent films. They also have food that's not extremely pricey. This is the theater to come if you like watching independent films. It's not the place for the summer blockbuster. This is a much more intimate theater. It doesn't have room for that crap. They only have two theaters so they have to be selective about what is shown. It's about $5 for a movie. That's much cheaper than any of the chain theaters. It has a yearly film festival. Food options here are good. They have Boston Stoker coffee and Gaslight treats.

Love this little theater right downtown in Dayton. Have been going for years and have had a wonderful experience every time. It's usually the only place in the area playing the movies it has, which are frequently really great new movies that people in the area otherwise wouldn't be able to see in person Awesome alcohol selection for a theater, it's great having a good drink while seeing a movie, compared to the usual 4 or 5 options at a chain theater. Always very clean and well kept. It feels great supporting a locally owned theater as well, especially when they have such a cool location.

We came here on a freezing winter weekday evening. I loved being able to park so easily and for free downtown. I hadn't been here in 15 years, and I recalled it was the first theater I ever drank booze at (legally). It holds a special place in my heart. It is adorable and local and quaint and a throwback and I love it. Anyway, on this particular night, we selected a delicious hot winter alcoholic drink and some wine. And popcorn! All so very tasty. But...there's always a but right. About an hour into the movie, I went back out to get drink refills and they had already closed the register for the night. Whuuuuut! It was like 8:00 and the theater is open until 11:00. That honestly kind of sucks and If it's standard protocol, it would probably deter me from going to an evening movie again. So please fix this. Love you, Neon!

Small enough to be intimate, but large enough to accomodate the crowd for opening weekend of Jackie. Except some very large elderly woman with a cane that she planted on my foot decided to sit right next to me when there were plenty of empty seats. Then she preceded knock me in the side while she struggled getting her coat off. I hate having my personal space invaded. Some people just need a clue. Anyway, only $7.50 to see a movie, and only $3 for popcorn. And sometimes there are baked cookies. Seats are fairly new, leather and rock. Heavenly. People are friendly here (well...sometimes too friendly if you read about clueless above. Also, free parking directly across the street. Why would anyone want to pay $15 at the mall when they could come here?

I love this place. It's clean, they respect you, they wear masks even though it's not required, the food and drink selection is excellent. And the prices can't be beat. And they show movies I normally wouldn't have known about. Thank you Jonathan!!

This is the best place to catch an independent movie and some mainstream films. Definitely a Dayton Gem and one of my favorite places to visit. The concessions sell beer and wine. They also have some of the best popcorn around, much better than those bigger theaters. If you've never been, check it out!

The Neon is probably my favorite place in Dayton for a night out or a fun afternoon at the movies. The Neon brings movies to Dayton you can't find anywhere else. A great culture boost for Dayton. The theater is intimate with only two screens that aren't very big. Check their website or email newsletter because some movies are only there for very limited showtimes. They have wonderful craft beer and cocktail options as well, and always make the perfect drink!

Always a pleasurable experience. From the ticketing to the concessions to the film itself. Never a grumpy attitude and always a reasonable price with a wide variety of films that come through. Can't wait until the next movie night!

Showing vaccine card, wearing mask unless your actually seated & also eating, showing ID to prove who you are. Extreme to say the least. repressive tactics. Other folks were upset as well. I've decided to protect myself one better. Not going back! Now I'm safe from that treatment. If I was interested in draconian methods I'd live in L.A. or New York City. (I lived in both places).

This is an awesome theatre in the heart of downtown! They show unique movies and it is a great place to see something off the beaten path. Along with showing unique movies the concessions are top notch. They serve Boston Stoker coffee, homemade sodas plus have a full bar. For being a movie theatre, the prices are extremely reasonable. The clientele all seem to be genuine theatre appreciators so they are all respectful and polite. I don't always enjoy going to the movie theaters as there can be so many factors that detract from the experience, but the Neon covers all the details perfectly!

I live one block from The Neon and I absolutely LOVE this place. I go to the LGBT film festival every October, and I try to see a movie here once a week. The last movie that I saw there was The Meddler. The staff is always friendly, and they have the best movie theater popcorn that I have ever had. The iced chai is also quite tasty!! If you have never been, do yourself a favor and check it out.

The Neon is my favorite theater in Dayton. I love coming here! The independent films they offer cannot be found in regular theaters. One can comfortably sit at a table in the lobby and drink a beer or other alcoholic beverage while conversing with friends. The tee totalers can still get great popcorn and soft drinks. There is something for everyone except the action film devotees. The Oregon District is a very special place and I love being here just as much as I love going to the Neon.

This is an art movie house that delivers. The Neon shows movies that are not main stream and thoroughly independent. The tickets are reasonably priced. The snack bar is fully stocked with the expected traditional snacks - fresh popcorn, candies, etc. A sizable selection of craft beer is available. There is a friendly comfortable lobby lounge area with plenty of tables and chairs that promote folks to chat. Parking is just across 5th street, under cover in the old bus terminal. With the Neon on the outer edge of Oregon District, it has ideal location to walk to watering holes, eateries, shops in the district. Check it out.

My wife and I went to the Neon because we were vacationing in the Oregon district of Dayton and wanted to see an independent film. The rocking chair seats were very relaxing. The theaters (2) are intimate, like screening rooms with good sound and picture quality. The concession prices are fair (no steering you toward the biggest size of popcorn here) and the staff are very nice. If you like independent film in a comfortable atmosphere, check out the Neon.

A local treasure. The only movie theater in the city of Dayton. Great films and a business model that supports our great city.

Hands down, the best theater for independent films in the Dayton area. Great staff, better than average prices, good selection of snacks and both alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, etc. Facility is clean and the seats in both houses are comfortable. Parking is free, right across the street but slightly limited. Close to the Oregon District.

Ok, I admit I'm a bit of a movie snob. I dig boutique movie theatres and I've been to them across the USA, and in Europe and even Brazil. But this little place is a little jewel in a desert wasteland. So, blaam! four stars. I've been holed up in Dayton Ohio for the entire week on a business trip - not exactly the avante garde mecca of America to say the least, and after a few days of working from my hotel room, logged onto the office site I had to break out of there and get some fresh air. I wondered down past a Greyhound station and on the corner was a little blue painted theatre called Neon. I noticed some 60's modern design chairs and magazines and books and even a game of checkers.. alt newspapers and posters for current art house fare by Wes Anderson and Sean Penn. Woah, I thought, these joints I'd have to stand in long cues in New York and cough up 11 bucks to sit in a packed theatre next to folks eating mounds of pop corn. Coffee, drinks... just a nice vibe. look above and you see the cat that actually changes the reels. that was kinda fun to see. four stars. baby!

Cute. I walked by this joint and thought, "how can this lil thing be a theatre?" Kept going along 5th and did some shopping and eating. Asked about place to see a flick and was sent back here. Walk in, cool ass staff direct me into one of two movies (I went with ENOUGH SAID). Walk in the room and BAM! Around 150 - 200 seats! How the fudge?! Anyway, the staff is cool, the place is clean, and only $5 for a movie on a random night in Dayton, OH. Good, relaxing time!

Drink great beer while watching great indy films... Do I really need to say anything else? Only a couple screens and parking isn't great but this place is still amazing. Did I mention you can drink beer during the movie?!

Absolutely the best theater popcorn around! There are three great things about the Neon. 1) It's just a really cool, well kept, place. It has a very intimate feel, and could be a place where you could just hang out. I really enjoy the small theater scene and the whole place has been renovated and looks like new. 2) The service of the staff is friendly. For example, I ordered the popcorn, ate half of it, and went to ask the guy behind the counter for some more butter. Not only did he give it to me, he also topped my bucket off with some freshly popped corn. 3) The prices. Unless you go to the Rave at the Greene on Wednesdays for $5 movie night, you're not going to find better prices than the Neon. Movies are $7 and the concessions are half price of other movie theaters. Plus, did you know you can order a beer and take it into the movie with you? That's enough reason to go right there.

Love the neon movies. They run some great independent movies that you have to wait months for on IFC. Plus the staff seems like they're having as much fun as the patrons. It's a downtown breath of fresh air. Only one complaint. Years ago they had just one really big screen. Big enough to show cinerama movies on, but now they've divided it into 2 small screens. How unfortunate, I kind of feel like I'm in my media room at home.

We've been meaning to go to this theatre ever since we moved to Dayton and needless to say, we were not disappointed. I most certainly would call it quaint. Great personal feel. Cheap food for a theatre and they layered the butter in our popcorn without us having to ask! Splendid. The movie theatre was intimate, the seats were comfortable and the volume was perfect. Although the theatre has an old timey feel, there are still all the characteristics of a quality theatre.

Delicious selection of regional beers. Popcorn re-fills are half-price. The seats are extra-comfy and nearly recline. Tuesdays have discounted tickets.

Where else can you order from a small bar, get a Boston Stoker coffee, and sit on the patio with a smoke watching the street life as you wait for your movie to start, all in an artistic space? One of my best movie theater memories is watching The Big Lebowski for the second time the theater showed it and looking around at others drinking White Russians. I saw Blade Runner and Interview with the Vampire on the big screen for the first time here too. I like that they mix in old releases with new ones. Really happy The Neon Movies is a part of downtown Dayton.

Oh, what a gem this independent movie house is! It houses two screens with comfortable seats and the most amazing staff. The prices, especially at concessions, are very reasonable and lately they have started a happy hour special for their beer, wine, and cocktails. The also serve Boston Stoker coffee drinks and sweet snacks from Ghostlight and Esther Price!

Great little arts theater for Dayton, Ohio. Check online for the always changing movie listings. Similar to the Dayton Airport, they have a Boston Stoker inside. Boston Stoker is a great local coffee chain with and this location has everything else you'd expect in a movie theater concessions too. They really do their coffee right from espresso to the sugary stuff. The theater is so small that every seat is a good one. Watch out if you're going to a premier as it can sell out. With the short rotations of movies, it seems like many Fridays might have a premier. Go and check it out especially if they have a foreign/indy film you've been looking forward to. You'll get it much sooner than on Netflix and have a nice evening in Dayton too.

This place has tons of 5-star potential for me. I came here this past weekend with CK for the FilmDayton Festival and was really impressed. Its a small theatre but isn't like one of those cramped and dingy places that's stuck down an alley. Just like its name, this place is bright and fun. There is a small patio outside (which I've heard has wifi) that would be a great place to hang out on a summer's day before a movie and the lobby on the inside, although small, is nice and comfortable to wait for friends. There is a concessions desk but I'm not a bit movie theatre food person so I'll have to let someone else speak to the quality of the food. The theatre itself was small with maybe only 100 seats in the one that we were in but its the perfect place to watch and independent film especially when there is a panel discussion afterward. The panelists didn't even need microphones to be heard by everyone. The seats were comfy and had some movement to them so you didn't feel like they were stuck in some uncomfortable position for hours on end. Why I couldn't give them 5 stars right now is that I haven't been here on a regular day, paying regular prices, and seeing their regular selection. But I will be back to let them try for that coveted 5th star!

This is one of my favorite movie theaters in Dayton, actually no it IS my favorite. Small theaters, but you cannot expect them to be huge when you see from the outside.. -Convenient parking -SEVERAL different types of beers. Actually, I can find a better selection of beers that some Dayton- area bars don't carry. -Great movies. Lots of Indie types you probably wouldn't see if this place wasn't around.

The Neon is a theatre that specializes in independent, foreign, and art films. The ticket prices are dirt cheap, they have a great little beer/wine selection, and the concessions are priced way below most movie theatres. They also have a good selection of coffee drinks and teas from Boston Stoker if that is more your speed. Support a local business!

This is such a fun place for a date! Within walking distance of some of the best restaurants and bars in Dayton, the Neon is a hip, indie move theatre. They frequently rotate films and offer higher quality drinks and snacks. There is easy parking in the lot on the other side of 5th Street. I would suggest going on a Tuesday, because movies are shown at a discounted price! They also recently updated their seats so they are more comfortable and clean.

My boyfriend and I had intended on seeing La La Land last night (Sunday) and we purchased our tickets, popcorn and drinks and headed into the theater. However, the theater was packed and we found that there weren't two seats together in the whole place. There was a young guy just standing at the top by the door so we asked him if he worked there, he said yes and we then asked him what we should do since there were no seats left. He was very rude and while looking straight ahead as if we weren't worth him even looking at us said "well there are seats, just not two together." There may have been 5 or 6 single seats left in the place. So we walked out of the theater and back to the girl who was still selling tickets to the movie to couples (i.e. people who are probably going to want to sit together) (although I'm sure she didn't know the seating situation since she was at the register doing her job not standing around doing nothing in the theater like the rude guy was) and the rude guy followed us. My boyfriend informed the girl selling tickets of the seating situation and asked if there was another showing after that one and the guy spoke before she could and said no. My boyfriend then asked the girl if we could just hold onto the tickets and come back this week to another showing of La La Land. Again the guy answered for her and said no and when my boyfriend started to speak he interrupted and said the "best they could do" was to give us our money back. We said okay and they refunded our money. My boyfriend advised the girl that she might want to start telling people there were only around 5 or so single seats left. The rude guy, again responding to a comment not directed at him, says "well there are seats." Irritated at his continued rudeness, sour expression and general unprofessionalism I turned and said to him that it was a bit ridiculous to continue selling tickets to couples and not telling them of the seating situation because most people who come to a movie together want to sit together. Still refusing to look at me, he says "No it's not" with a little smirk on his face like he thought the whole thing was funny. The proper thing to do - since he was standing in the theater and could see the situation - would have been for him to go to the girl selling tickets and tell her to let people know that there were no longer two seats together so that people could then decide whether they wanted to buy tickets or not. But even without doing that, the guy was rude and unprofessional. Since he couldn't be bothered to do anything except stand around in the theater he could have, at the very least, apologized and offered our money back without the snarky rudeness and without us having to go through a whole conversation about well is there a later showing, can we come back this week using these tickets, etc. We have been to the Neon a number of times and never had a problem but I can tell you that after last night I will not be back.

Support your local independent theatres! Neon is a great place downtown to see independent films and documentaries. It's clean (they even have mints in the bathroom) and the people that work there are nice. You can get a beer, glass or wine or cup of coffee to enjoy during the show, and there is a nice cafeish area where you can hang out and wait for your show to start. There is even some outdoor seating for the smokers or folks who just want to enjoy the weather. Check it out.

Went for the first time tonight and caught two movies on their discount day for only $11. Concessions are unbelievably cheap compared to most big chains. Popcorn was nice and buttery and the cappuccino I bought was delicious! Staff is very friendly and talkative. The first theater (one on the left) is about half the size of the second theater -- they seat about 50 and 100 respectively, give or take a few seats. The theater is decorated a really cool retro style too and the lobby is inviting. Would absolutely recommend you get away from those big chain theaters on your next movie night and support this badass local theater!

Great small theatre that has an old school art feel. The Neon boasts a quickly rotating selection of not so widely distributed films. The lobby is great, with the typical fair i.e. candies, popcorn, and soda. They also offer some craft beers and wine along with coffee from Boston Stoker. My wife and I came for the only Ohio showing of the documentary A Film About Coffee. Good times.

I could complain about that one time when the armrest of my chair fell off during a film or the fact that the theaters are pretty small, but, honestly, I'm just happy this place exists. They play great foreign and independent films that you can't find anywhere else in Dayton. They have terrific drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), coffee, and snacks -- and, compared to other theaters, the prices are pretty damn reasonable. If this place ever closes, I think I'll have to move.

Cool movie theater showing independent films. Great selection of beer and snacks! The place is tidy and clean.

The best place to watch a movie in Dayton. This place plays mostly Independent Films and such ,but you really must go there sometime. It is perfect for watching these types of films and has a great coffee house type of feel to it. parking is a bit of a struggle but all in all a great place to go see good movies.

I'm in the same situation as Greg J, been stuck in Dayton (from LA) for work for a couple weeks. Decided to go out and walk around the famous (for Dayton) Oregon district. Found the theatre and had to go in. They were playing 2 good independent flicks, so I figured why not stay for a show? The bonus - when I went to buy my ticket, I was also able to purchase a variety of coffee-shop type drinks and COCKTAILS! Wow. Jackpot. Very few theatres these days let you take drinks in to your movie, but Neon is one of them. Thank you. It makes the movie-watching experience so much better! Yes, the screen is a little small, but I didn't go there expecting IMAX quality, so I thought it was cool. Thank you Neon, for once again, breaking through my Dayton stereotypes!

A Dayton gem. Comfortable seating, eegant setting, inexpensive yet high quality snacks, intelligent films & free movie posters. Pure fun.

I haven't been to the Neon Movies is way too long. It's shameful actually. I plan on going again very,very soon. I really do think independent theatres should be supported by their communities. My favorite thing about the neon is that you can get some killer (non chain might I add) coffee drinks to enjoy while watching your movie.

This is a great independent theater. Their selection of films is well chosen and their concessions are unique and priced just right.

Wonderful. Quaint. My only complaint would be the movies cycle very quickly. But its not really a complaint. You should go, you'll be glad you did.

We went today for the first time. We parked for free where the old bus station used to be. Next we walked across the street and we were there. They have a small lobby and sell food/drinks. It is $7.00 for matinees. The theater was small and every seat was taken during our show. I would recommend coming here.