Rialto Cinemas Elmwood

The Elmwood remains a wonderful movie theater. It had several screens and yet it feels cozy.They feature National Theatre filmed plays from London as well as current Hollywood and foreign films. If all the films were to have subtitles, it would be PERFECT! And similar to Home.

Rialto on College is the last movie theater in Berkeley which is crazy to me. I saw an afternoon matinee showing of Didi and decided to also eat at the theater since I heard that they are now serving food. In addition to the standard popcorn, my friend and I also ordered the impossible chicken nuggets and the bagel dog. The food is pretty standard reheated frozen fare, but I appreciate the wider offering of food. Unfortunately, the seats in the theater aren't configured so that patrons can easily eat. There aren't any flat surfaces so we were balancing food on our laps and on the seats. There aren't any fancy seats or anything like that at the Rialto, but you'll find friendly service and a totally serviceable theater with lots of walkable options close by.

I go with my friend about every other week. Don't like big movie blockbuster theaters. This one is never crowded or loud or cold. Their concession stand good. Only go other theaters if I must see something they don't show. And when I do, I regret being in the commercial version of a movie theater with no comfort . Too loud too cold ridiculous concession prices horrible parking options. I chose Elmwood over all.

The last movie theater in Berkeley, and a neighborhood treasure in the Elmwood. Now showing several first-run films, including Oscar nominees, since they don't have to compete with other theaters. Comfy, good food, movie club discounts, sometimes free showings of family and children's movies.

Came here to watch all of us strangers. Very intimate movie experience. Our theater had 30 seats? but i wish they played the sound louder because I couldn't really hear from the top of the theater. I wasn't sure if the amps in the back of the theater were even on or off bc the sound was faint. They do offer bottled sodas at the concession stand so that's cool. Very simple snack stand which classic popcorn and candy.

Support your local movie theaters! This old timey theater house whose marquis is a staple of this little section of College Ave is a gem. Read, with caution, as I see from other reviews that there may be some concerns....1- I went to one movie, Opennheimer, in the main theater downstairs and the seats were large and comfy. Sound was great, although a bit crackly at times, but it could have been the movie. (Oppenheimer was incredible and some great Berkeley scenes in there!)2. Staff is so friendly and belong in that indie movie house vibe.3. Free family movies monthly - September is Jim Henson and Frank Oz's 80s hit: the dark crystal.4. Free monthly old timey black and white movies! 5. Good snacks from popcorn and candy to what was advertised as a Nathan's hot dog! We joined the free loyalty club that includes free popcorn refills and $9 movie Mondays.6. Located right on College Ave in Elmwood, making it a perfect dinner/dessert and movie date!Overall, in Berkeley, we went from 4 movie theaters to 1.... Let's keep it alive so we all don't have to schlep to the mall in Emeryville to see a movie. Go to this movie theater, load up on snacks and enjoy the film!

Absolutely love the Elmwood. Wonderful National Theatre Live presentations, real gem of the Berkeley community and indeed the whole Bay Area. Stylish men's bathroom.Unfortunately the Elmwood has recently started playing divisive, tribalistic announcements before each showing. I'm all for earnest conversation and debate about all manner of social and political subjects, but if I'm paying to watch a film, the last thing I want is gratuitous polemics forced on captive audiences to set the tone of the evening and distract from the feature presentation. Our society needs less outrage, not more ubiquitous fuel on the fire. I hope the management will reconsider.

(as of July 2022) Such a lively, vintage art house with impressively curated programming, including locally-organized events and nonprofit fundraisers. IMO, it's one of the last historic businesses that keep the spirit of Berkeley alive.I'm closer to the Cerrito Rialto so don't typically come all the way to Elmwood for movies, but getting tickets to this location meant a more convenient dinner-and-movie date night (who doesn't love the Elmwood area) :-) AND, they were showing Everything Everywhere All At Once-- how could I not go?The theater is dated, but well-maintained and clean. Minimal decor, even throughout the years-- not so much of an experience as Grand Lake Theater, but it's quaint and cozy. Staff were kind and personable. Concession prices were about average, nothing astronomical.When we were seated in the auditoriums, it's noticeably compact. I expected this of an older theater, but for two lean adults who are 5'8" and 6'2", we found ourselves having to bend or stretch our legs in awkward positions to feel comfortable. May be less egregious to shorter moviegoers. The sound and picture quality was decent, although it's unfortunate that you can hear neighboring films... Poor insulation. Sort of a bummer when you're in the grip of any emotional scenes with quiet dialogue and there's some wacky musical number or action movie explosion going on next door ;_;If you can get over that, still charming and indubitably a cornerstone of Elmwood. Their film selections are great and the atmosphere is nice.

I want to support small local theaters but they make it so hard. My mom (who is partially disabled) is in town and wanted to see a Complete Unknown - it had left the big theaters but Elmwood was playing it and I had never been since moving here a few years ago. Bought tix online. I got there 20 minutes early since seat selection was not an option and was told it would be upstairs. My mom looked at her cane and asked for an elevator - none. I worked with my mom to carefully walk up the stairs. Took about 10 minutes. We get in the theater. Every row except the last one (at the top of another flight of stairs) is taken 15 minutes before trailers start. We painfully get her up to the top of the theater and have to look down at the screen - which is partially blocked by part of the ceiling. Every time someone stood up in the last 2 rows, their shadow showed on the screen. Finally the audio was bad. The dialogue portion of the audio only plays in front but the theater is not very acoustically sound. The back speakers where we were only played background noise like cars honking or people clapping in scenes with applause. It was awful.

Yesterday, I went to the opening of "A Complete Unknown." We arrived early, expecting a zoo, and we were not disappointed. I have loved this theater for decades. Kudos to the staff for working on Christmas Day, and for their patience and fortitude with some outrageously rude customers. Some old people in Berkeley have forgotten how to go out to the movies. The manager had to advise one obnoxious, elderly couple to stop yelling profanity at him. They were saving seats for extremely late young people who waltzed in and sat down, oblivious. There were verbal fights all around the theater. Finally, the lights mercifully dimmed. After sitting through trailers for horrible, violent coming "attractions," our Bob Dylan movie mercifully started. It was worth the wait and Timothee Chalamet and the other actors are fantastic. So is the Elmwood staff.