It’s a fact—there’s nothing quite like visiting a movie theater. No matter what age you are, there’s always a certain magical feeling when the previews end, the room darkens and all you can hear is the crackle of popcorn and a flickering projector. Luckily, the Bay Area has no shortage of great family-friendly theaters—from drive-ins and vintage movie houses to your no-frills spot—that are sure to delight all your family members. Featuring reclining seats, tasty bites and all the blockbusters, here are eight awesome theaters in the Bay Area your kids will love!
In San Francisco
Best for baby’s first flick: Alamo Drafthouse New Mission
Where: 2550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
With its hip décor, beer on tap and gourmet food, the Alamo Draft House initially screams date night. But it might surprise you that they also have a family-friendly program Alamo for All that creates a welcoming atmosphere for cinephiles of all ages. These kiddie flicks are screened on Tuesdays before 6pm, and feature lowered audio, a brighter screening room and—best of all for parents of squirmy toddlers—a no-judgement zone for the occasional scream or meltdown. An extensive menu includes plenty of goodies for tots: think chocolate chip cookies, churro popcorn and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Insider tip: If this is your child’s first flick, be sure to pick up a “my first movie” certificate from the box office!
Best for classics: Walt Disney Family Museum
Where: 104 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA
Oh toodles! If Mickey, Minnie and Cinderella are practically members of your family, then you’ll want to check out this museum dedicated to the life and art of Walt Disney. Head to the Fantasia-themed movie theater to watch classics like Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio, along with Mickey & Minnie cartoons (in black and white!). The flicks vary by month, so check the schedule to see which movies are on view.
Insider tip: Starting in April 2019, the museum is making some changes to its movie schedule. It will be limiting screenings to weekends and tickets must be purchased in person.
Best events: The Castro Theater
Where: 429 Castro St, San Francisco, CA
This neighborhood jewel is not just a movie house, it’s an experience. Once or twice a month, the nearly 100-year-old theater features sing-along events with past flicks including The Little Mermaid and Moana. Parents, be prepared for total chaos and pure fun. General admission includes a goody bag for every child, and there’s an organ player that entertains the audience while families stock up on snacks and find a seat. Before the curtains open and the show begins, the sing-a-long hosts welcome kiddos to the stage for a costume contest.
Insider tip: The theater offers awesome events for parents, too, including double features and speakers before showtime.
Best popcorn: Balboa Theater
Where: 3630 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA
There’s a lot for parents to love about this Outer Richmond neighborhood institution–the reasonable prices (only $10 a pop for kids), a wide selection of current and second-run children’s features and, reputedly, the best popcorn in town (ya heard it here first). The theater has an ever-changing schedule of events they release every month, so be sure to check the website for any kid-friendly screenings or events!
Insider tip: The theater used to offer the weekly kids’ program Popcorn Palace, which included $10 for a movie, popcorn and a drink. It has, unfortunately, been scaled back but still occasionally pops up on the schedule, so keep your eyes peeled!
Outside of San Francisco
Best for a movie and a meal: The New Parkway Theater, Oakland
Where: 474 24th St, Oakland, CA
Enjoy classic Saturday morning ‘toons together on the big screen and an all-you-can-eat cereal bar every Saturday at the Parkway’s Cereal Cinema event. And if you plan to visit later in the day, come hungry—the theater offers a full menu of diner-style comfort food made in-house. Expect to nosh on everything from burgers and pizza to sandwiches and salads. Parents, there’s also a drink menu featuring local beers and wines.
Insider tip: If you’ve got a baby on board, be sure to check out the Baby Brigade—a Thursday afternoon infant-friendly screening that allows moms and dads to take in a film without paying a fortune for a babysitter.
Best bang for your buck: Grand Lake Theater, Oakland
Where: 3200 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA
A movie outing with a couple of hungry kids in tow doesn’t have to make a dent in your wallet. The great deals available at this vintage theater makes it a frequent winner of the East Bay Express readers’ poll for “best place to see a movie.” Catch current releases for only $5 on Discount Tuesdays, while all other matinees during the week will only set you back $6. On Mondays, the price of admission is good for a free bag of popcorn!
Insider tip: We recommend you see a 3D film here. The theater is proud to be the only theater in Northern California to present two projector 3D.
Best for a cozy night out: West Wind Solano Drive-In, Concord
Where: 1611 Solano Way, Concord, CA
Pile into the SUV and treat the family to an old-timey slice of Americana. Thankfully, drive-in technology has gone digital (no more subpar screens and scratchy sound boxes!) so it’s the perfect blend of classic and modern at this spot. Visit on Tuesdays for the popular Family Fun Night that features new releases at discounted prices. And the best part? You can watch without worrying that your crying baby or fussy toddler might disturb other movie-goers.
Insider tip: South Bay families should check out the West Wind Capitol Drive-In located in San Jose.
Best experience: Century at Tanforan and XD, San Bruno
Where: 1188 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA
Why just watch a movie when you can feel like you’re in one? New technology continues to enhance–or at least tinker–with the moviegoing experience and the newest twist for audiences are D-box seats. Available primarily for dynamic and fast-moving films, these seats give viewers the illusion of being part of the story by tilting, shaking and vibrating in synchronization with the action—trust us, it’s cool.
Insider tip: D-box movies are best suited for older children, and advance tickets are recommended.
