The Castro Theatre
The Castro Theatre
Movie Theater · Castro, San Francisco
About
The Castro Theatre is a popular San Francisco movie palace which became San Francisco Historic Landmark #100 in September 1976. Located at 429 Castro Street, in the Castro district, it was built in 1922 with a Spanish Colonial Baroque façade that pays homage—in its great arched central window surmounted by a scrolling pediment framing a niche—to the recently rebuilt basilica of Mission Dolores nearby. Its designer, Timothy L. Pflueger, also designed Oakland's Paramount Theater and other movie theaters in California in that period.
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The Castro Theater was opened in 1922 by the Nasser family, who had immigrated from Syria to settle in the South of Market area. It was remodeled and reopened in the 1970s. Its revival as a repertory cinema that catered to camp-attuned audiences helped to solidify the Castro as an LGBTQ neighborhood. It serves as a location for many film premieres, viewings and film festivals in the queer community.
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There’s no marquee more famous in San Francisco than the one that wraps The Castro Theatre. The movie palace, which became San Francisco Historic Landmark number 100 in September 1976, has remained shuttered throughout the pandemic but has found a second life as a place to catch street performances outside the ticket booth. The film house plans to reopen before its 99th birthday later this year.
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A Castro landmark since it opened in the ’20s, this wonderfully ornate art-deco movie theater is still going strong. Its fabulously extravagant original interiors make the perfect setting for the cinema’s busy program of art-house movies, singalongs and offbeat live performances. An expertly played Wurlitzer organ sets a slightly zany mood before showings, so get there early. Opt for the balcony front row for the best view in the house, or back row if you have other things on your mind.
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Good to Know
Accessibility Features
Wheelchair Accessible
Accepts Credit Cards
Contactless Payments