We are big movie fans here at When In San Diego. We usually don’t mind shelling out for your average AMC-in-a-mall type situation in order to see the new summer blockbuster, but what we would prefer is a more independent movie theater that offers a bit more of a curated experience. Lucky for us, San Diego has a lot of options for a better-than-AMC movie experience.
Below we have chosen the three San Diego movie theaters we like best. And we added on two more because they are too good not to include. And also one of our choices is not an actual movie theater. So there’s that.
You’re welcome.
3. Popcorn Reef Pop Up Movies
Popcorn Reef is a pop-up movie organization that hosts screenings of independent and old movies that you will not find playing anywhere else. They host at many locations around the city, but most often they are either at Adams Ave Theater in Normal Heights or The Tenth Avenue Arts Center in East Village. They often get directors to come give interviews at their screenings and a lot of their screenings are legit events with a lot of community and fun.
The people at Popcorn Reef obviously love movies and the people who go to the Popcorn Reef movies obviously love movies, so if you see yourself as a cinephile you should probably be part of this club. Sign up for their newsletter because they will often set up events last minute and you don’t want to miss out.
2. Angelika Film Center and Cafe
The Angelika Theater is one of the best movie theaters in San Diego. Part of a movie theater chain started in New York City that tends to show more independent movies, The Angelika is a great mix of indie and mainstream. They show tons and tons of movies on their twelve screens and the venue itself is clean and comfortable. As important for us, they also serve good food and solid drinks. The Angelika will often have themed movie runnings and they host tons of kids movies and kids events, making The Angelika probably the most family-friendly movie theater in San Diego.
The only downside is it is located out near Poway which may be hard to get to for some people in southern San Diego, but it is worth the drive on most days.
1. The Lot
The Lot movie theaters are a group of upscale cinemas in San Diego and in our opinion The Lot at Liberty Station is the best movie theater in San Diego. The first of The Lot theaters opened in La Jolla, where it’s owner lives, a few years ago, but we prefer the one at Liberty Station, perhaps just because it is closer to us, but also because of all of the other activities offered at Liberty Station (see more here).
The Lot is an independent movie theater chain and it shows your standard new release movies. But the best part of The Lot (besides it being locally owned) is they also serve up delicious food, good beer, and tasty cocktails, all in the comfort of large, separated, comfortable seats. Going to The Lot for a movie is luxurious and amazing experience, and how movie-going should be in our opinion. The tickets are four dollars more expensive ($23 compared to $19) than typical sticky-bottomed, cramped-seated, poorly-fooded, crowded AMC, so why not?
Honorable Mentions
Landmark Hillcrest Cinema
The Landmark Hillcrest Cinema is another movie theater in San Diego showing independent movies, as well as your typical blockbusters. Located in the heart of Hillcrest and serving alcohol this theater is always a good time.
Digital Gym
Digital Gym Cinema is more than a movie theater – it is the screening room for the Media Arts Center San Diego, a group of local film lovers who champion underserved voices in film. This place shows movies you will not find elsewhere (think black and white German arthouse films). Located in the UCSD at Park and Market Building in Gaslamp, this is more of a film education or a movement than a movie theater. Nevertheless, they serve beer and show great movies too.
