Movie theaters in Palo Alto

Palo Alto has lost several movie houses over the decades, from the Varsity on University Avenue to the CinéArts at Palo Alto Square. The two that remain are special. One is a restored 1925 movie palace that shows only classic films, with an organ that rises from the pit between features. The other is a small art house that has screened independent and foreign films downtown since 1969. For blockbusters on giant screens, locals drive a few miles south to Mountain View.

This guide covers each option, what it shows and how a visit works. It also covers the free outdoor movie nights the city runs every summer. Showtimes change daily, so use the links to each theater's own site.

The Stanford Theatre

The Stanford Theatre at 221 University Avenue opened on June 9, 1925. The San Francisco firm Weeks and Day designed it in a neoclassical style with Persian and Moorish touches. It declined with the rise of television. In 1987 it was bought with support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, restored to its 1920s look and reopened in 1989 with The Wizard of Oz. The nonprofit Stanford Theatre Foundation runs it today. Despite the name, it is not part of Stanford University.

The theater shows classic films, mostly from the silent era to about 1970. Programs run as themed seasons built around stars, directors or genres, usually as double features. In late October and early November 2026 it is pairing Mary Poppins with The Wizard of Oz. The Mighty Wurlitzer organ plays before and after the evening show and accompanies silent films live.

Tickets are sold at the box office on the day of the show. The theater's website lists adult tickets at $7, with lower prices for seniors and youth, which makes it one of the best value nights out in the Bay Area. Our full guide to the Stanford Theatre covers its history, the organ and parking.

The Aquarius: Palo Alto's art house

Two blocks away, the Landmark Aquarius at 430 Emerson Street is where Palo Alto goes for new independent, documentary and foreign-language films. It opened on October 1, 1969 as a twin-screen theater and Landmark Theatres has operated it since 1985. Both auditoriums were renovated in 2015 and recliner seats have since been added, which cut capacity sharply. Expect fewer than 200 seats across the two rooms, so popular openings can sell out on weekend evenings.

The Aquarius has had close calls before, but Landmark still lists it as an active location and film fans were posting about recent visits in 2026. Check Landmark's Aquarius page for showtimes and buy online for new releases. The theater is a short walk from the downtown restaurants on Emerson and Ramona streets and from the University Avenue Caltrain station.

Theaters Palo Alto has lost

The biggest recent loss was CinéArts at Palo Alto Square, a two-screen art house in the office complex at El Camino Real and Page Mill Road. It closed in March 2020 when the pandemic began and Cinemark announced in July 2021 that it would not reopen. It had come close to closing once before, in 2016, before winning a reprieve. Plans discussed by the city since then would convert the space to offices.

Older Palo Altans remember others. The Varsity on University Avenue, the Fine Arts, the Bijou and the Palo Alto Automovie drive-in are all long gone. The Guild Theatre just over the border in Menlo Park showed films from 1926 until 2019. It has since reopened as a music venue that still screens the occasional cult film, such as a Rocky Horror Picture Show night in June 2026. See our live music guide for its concerts.

Multiplexes nearby

For new releases on big screens, head to Mountain View. Both options below are roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive from downtown Palo Alto.

San Antonio Center is close to the Palo Alto and Los Altos border, so the Alamo is the closest full multiplex for south Palo Alto. If you are staying near there, our guide to staying in Menlo Park or Mountain View lists hotels.

Outdoor movies in summer

Every summer the city runs free Family Movie Nights on the athletic field at Mitchell Park, 600 East Meadow Drive. The 2026 series had six Friday screenings from June 5 to August 14, with recent family titles such as Elio, Zootopia 2 and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Seating opens at 7 p.m. and the film starts at sunset.

• Bring a blanket. Lawn chairs are allowed only in the back three rows.
• Bring snacks and a warm layer. Evenings cool down quickly after sunset.
• Restrooms are in the park and the field is wheelchair accessible.

The 2027 lineup had not been announced in October 2026. Watch the city's events calendar in late spring and see our summer events guide for concerts on other nights.

Film at Stanford

Stanford occasionally programs film-based events for the public. Stanford Live's 2027 calendar includes TREES, a live documentary by filmmaker Sam Green with writer Rebecca Solnit, at Bing Concert Hall on April 14, 2027. Film screenings by academic departments and student groups also appear on the Stanford events calendar, though many are aimed at students. Check whether an event is open to the public before you go.

Which theater for which night

• A date night or a visitor's first evening: the Stanford Theatre. The 1920s interior and the organ make it an event. The low prices leave room for dinner.
• A new festival favorite or documentary: the Aquarius, which books films that never reach the multiplexes.
• A superhero opening in a premium format: the Mountain View multiplexes, where you can reserve seats in advance.
• Kids under 10 in summer: the free Family Movie Nights in Mitchell Park, where a restless child can wander onto the grass without bothering anyone.
• Something different: a live documentary or film event from Stanford Live, or a cult screening at the Guild in Menlo Park.

Planning a movie night

A classic film at the Stanford Theatre makes an easy evening plan. Eat early on University Avenue, catch the 7:30 p.m. show and stay for the organ. If you prefer new films, book an Aquarius screening and walk to dessert afterward. Our guide to cheap eats and late night food covers what is still open after the credits roll. Out-of-town visitors who want to walk everywhere can look for hotels in downtown Palo Alto.

Frequently asked questions