Old school movie theater- not a chain and staffed by volunteers. Given that, here's what to expect The lobby is small and not a/c'd. But they have a snack bar with dogs and popcorn etc Parking in a dodgy looking parking lot adjacent to the theatre Went to see a cult movie , bought the tickets in advance and in a strange twist you still have to wait in line at the box office to get your ticket. Oh, they email you a QR code BUT it doesn't work. They also email a bar code, this works and they give you a ticket to enter Weird but I get that this is a small chain and maybe don't have the software for qr... just roll with it Inside is spacious, clean and what theaters were in the old days with their seating. It's retro, it's cool. The prints are good the projections are absolutely fine This is what movie theaters were before "stadium seating" and fully reclining seats - go experience it They feature smaller niche movies and have q/and afterwards. read more

Gardena Cinema - Movies - Cinema Near Me - Gardena, California

Great Independent single scree theater! Attended a (sold out) screening with a q&a afterwards and had a great time. I will say, if you are attending a popular screening that will be sold out or close to sold out, and you want to buy concessions, it may be best to get there 45-1 hour before. They only have one register and are a small team, I waited in line for a little more than 30 mins and I arrived 30 mins before the screening. The staff are friendly and great! Seats are comfortable for being standard non-recliners. Im looking forward to coming back! read more

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Went for the first time over the weekend. They played Monster Squad and had a mini cast reunion. It was really fun. The theater is huge and although the seats are old they're comfy. I didn't know it was actually a small independent theater that is run by owner and staff who volunteer their time. I highly recommend people check out their theater and support what they do. They have some pretty good old movie selections. read more

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Great family owned theater. Fritlea change daily. Fantastic caverness old theater. Awesome staff

Hidden gem. Went for a special showing and enjoyed myself. Parking available next door. Yummy popcorn. Will be back.

Found out about this cinema via an Instagram post last year that said the Circle Jerks were performing here after a screening of the film Repo Man and I almost bought a ticket but couldn't make it. This theater was on my radar since then and on Thursday a friend posted on her story that they were screening Dinner in America with a Q&A with the writer/director and producer and later, Emily Skeggs!! I got a ticket so fast and pushed my concert plans to the side for this. I saw Dinner in America for the first time, last year after the Kanopy app randomly recommended it to me. I watched it and loved this film so much, but when I found out it came out in 2020, I was bummed I'd never get to see it on the big screen. Thanks to Gardena Cinema I was able to see it with a sea of people and not just alone on my phone 29 times. While we were waiting for the film to start, the owner came up to the mic and talked about the history of the theater and how her family came to own it after immigrating to the U.S. in the 70's. Yesterday was the national shutdown strike, but honestly it's hard on small businesses everywhere and I saw so many of these businesses say they were staying open and supporting in one way or another. Judy did the same and gave an impromptu moving talk about what's going on in the world and why it was important to still go on with the screening of this film; because it's punk as fuck! I love this film down BAD because it is exactly that and more. This film is my Heated Rivalry for real. Getting here was easy from the O.C. and parking was a dream!! There's a big parking lot connected to the theater and it's free. I love the multi colored letters of the marquee out front as it really stands out against the background of the city. Inside it's a small lobby then straight into the 1 theater. I was shocked at how far back the seating goes. Other small art house theaters it's not that big inside but here there's so much seating. The seats are small though, like from the 1940's small, but I was able to sit comfortably the whole film. I stayed for the Q&A and was able to ask one question about the soundtrack and release of the Psyops songs and found out it was in the works. Emily Skeggs said hi to me as I was about to ask my question and I was done. After that, I like teared up for some weird reason. It was such a great evening and hearing Judy's story and that this theater is run completely by volunteers was so heartwarming. These theaters are so special to me because they show the cult films and are able to bring out the cast and crew for Q&A which is something you don't get at chain theaters. I genuinely will make an effort to support art house cinemas this year and in particular Gardena Cinema because it is punk AF! read more

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Truly the best place I've been shown in years. Gardena Cinema is a family owned independent theater that has been passed down for a generation. I was lucky enough to be told about this place from a friend and was able to get tickets to a benefit comedy set from Bill Burr. The event was to raise money and it was sold out. What an incredible event! Since then, I've returned to watch some great older movies and participate in some fundraising events to help out. This place is so worth it and the movies they show are varied and wonderful to see on screen. read more

There's something magical about watching a film in a spot that hasn't been swallowed by chain-theater sameness. No $12 artisanal water, no confusing "premium" seat pricing, just pure old-school vibes. The screen lights up, the room goes dark, and suddenly you remember why you fell in love with movies in the first place. The seats might not recline like a La-Z-Boy, but honestly, that's part of the charm. I came here for the movie, not a nap. read more

Gardena Cinema - Concessions stand - Cinema Near Me - Gardena, California

This has got to be my favorite local theater maybe theater in general! Love the environment, love the people, love the vibes. Their soda machine is on crack bc it spits out delicious Diet Cokes I recently attended the screening of Dinner in America with a moderated Q&A afterwards with the director, producer, and a star of the movie! Turned out even some of the crew was in the audience so it really was such a special treat-- I cried SO MANY TIMES. read more

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This place is a gem! It has been owned by the same family for almost 50 years, but has actually been in business for almost 80! I come from a small town and love the warmth and crunch of a local-owned movie theatre. I went with a friend who used to work at a theatre like this and we were all for the adventure. Plus the cinema was showing a special documentary Ryse Up Documentary, a film about Ryse Williams, about a local guy, so it would be a special and touching evening - and it was! First of all, follow their social media to see what cool events are coming up! That is how we heard about this screening. It was easy to buy tickets online, and super easy to check in at the box office having done so. We parked in free parking, walked in, there was a volunteer greeter who was super friendly and read my tarot cards! The line for food and drinks was quick. I got a large popcorn and a drink. I think next time I will get a hot dog and nachos because they looked amazing! They had tons of extra stuff that you can sprinkle on your popcorn from tajin to cheese popcorn flavors. They also had a wide range of condiments for the dogs. I loved the view from the lobby past the cushioned door and into the rows of seats! There are so many rows of seats plus it had seats up front facing the audience for the events they hold. This screening was having a Q&A with the director. We walked in and got our seats. I was almost disappointed that the floors were not stickier and the seats were not dustier! Since this was a special event there were no previews. Just an introduction and we went right into the beautiful documentary about a shining local son. Being surrounded by his friends and family made it even more touching. After the film there was a Q&A where we learned more about the documentarian's connection to Ryse, the film making process, and where the documentary will go next. What a special and emotional evening! Let's help these guys get to their big anniversary next year! They breathe new life into your favorite films, host themed weekends, they have events with Oscar-nominated films where the director comes and speaks. They also support the art of cinema through projects like this documentary or the Movie Screeners club where filmmakers get to screen their project for an audience and get feedback. They have fun memorabilia on their eBay page (I've bought a few scripts to read). Make it a goal to go at least once, and I feel like you may get hooked! read more

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Wonderful family owned single screen cinema that shows second run, local, and repertoire films. The snacks are reasonably priced and staff is welcoming. This is a beloved gem in the South Bay. read more

Has been owned and operated by the same family since 1976! I'm glad this place is still around. I went here a few times as a kid when I actually lived in Gardena in the 1990s. Had a wonderful time here ... please support Judy Kim's theater ! Consider becoming a member or even volunteering and or check out a showing ! There aren't many places like this anymore, we lost over 1000 screens in the United States during the pandemic including the landmark on pico...which was like a second home to me ...so please check them out ! read more

I grew up a few streets away and would come to this theatre to watch the latest movies with my mom. We would get these small yellow flyers from local businesses that promoted the upcoming shows. I would always get my movie nachos. I loved the reel to reel classic cinema experience which you couldn't get anywhere else. They would play the latest movies and before the internet of the 2000's, that's how I knew what new movie was coming out. The inside always stayed the same like a neon time capsule. I've seen more movies here than any other theater. It's a family experience you should try at least once. read more

Judy is the coolest. This theater has charm and heart. Great movies and great people. Worth the trip. Support local theaters!

This place is so reminiscent of a time when going out to the movies on the weekend was an experience. Doesn't look like much from the outside. It actually looks old and beat up. The same goes for the part of the city it's located in. I was invited to a showing of a low budget, independent film, so I wasn't expecting much. Tickets were purchased online prior and shown at the box office window. When I walked in through the door, I thought to myself, "What the?" The concession stand is old school small. They even have a payphone that looks like it still works, although I didn't pick up the receiver to see if I could hear a dial tone or not. I also noticed numerous plastic baskets of free VHS and DVD movies. It wasn't until I walked into the theater that I said to myself, "Oh wow, so many seats!" Note, seats are old school, not as padded as we've gotten used to. The night was an experience for certain. The filmmaker had a band play before the movie. Their set was over an hour. It wasn't a private showing, so I got a kick out of observing the elderly Asian couple who most likely comes and watches a movie every weekend. So, if you're interested in seeing an old movie, like "Psycho," a blockbuster from the '80's, or something weird from the '70's, this is the place to come because they're showing it. It's a privately owned theater. The owners are trying to keep a piece of history alive. Parking: They have their own free parking lot right next to the theater. There is also plenty of free, street parking. read more

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I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Paul and Judy, who owns Gardena Cinema, last night as we entered a new year. I have been wanting to catch a show here for quite a long time now and finally got the opportunity to do so. This Cinema, such a wonderful time capsule for all things good that theaters bring, is run by such loving and passionate people and makes you feel at home. You'll first be greeted by a glowing concession stand with everything you'd want at an AMC. Looks can be deceiving as this cinema is much larger inside than it appears from the street! The screen is great, and audio encapsulating. The seats were a concern of ours, but to our surprise we were comfortable even after a 5 hr long double feature. If you are to have any goals for 2026, be sure visiting Gardena Cinema is at the top of your list. (p.s. they have their own parking lot !) !! Support Independent Theaters !! read more

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If you wanna see a movie in an old-school movie theater, this is the place to go. Pretty much, this is the last man standing of family-owned theaters in the whole of the greater Los Angeles area. And, it is a true testament of time. The moment you walk in here, you feel like you've stepped back through the decades and you're seeing a movie at a theater that you went to when you were a child or a teenager. Great place! This is a large and very spacious theater. They have a lot of seats. Meaning, for the most part, you're going to be able to sit in your own little section and not be too bothered by other patrons. This theater commonly shows movies from back in time. They offer a great selection of vintage, classic, and 3-D films. Personally, I came here to view the premier of one of my friend's films. And, it was a great location to see the movie. This theater also has a very old-school refreshment counter. They offer many of the expected theater food and drink items from times gone past. If I were to make one comment about their drink offerings, the one thing that they do not offer is bottled water. Yes, they do have a little self-serve water container over to one side of their counter which is free. But, as times have changed so much, and a lot of us just don't want to drink traditional soft drinks and things like that, or get water from vessels that who knows how many other people have touched, I would suggest that they offer bottled water. That's just my opinion... Overall, this is a great place to go and see a movie. read more

Went to see "Army of Darkness " here on 10/19/25. First time here. If you love the old school, single screen movie theater experience, this place is amazing. Just reminds you of what the movie theater experience used to be like. Every staff member I encountered was great and friendly. Plus FREE parking. Can't beat it. read more

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I stopped in randomly with some friends on NYE because they wanted movie popcorn - what a pleasant surprise! Judy welcomed us in and we had an awesome chat and got to know more about the history behind this cinema. It's great that authentic places like this still exist. I plan on catching some shows here this year! read more

I loved my experience here! The family were very very kind. The movie was super fun! And everyone was so nice. Food is pretty good and also they are so fast you order and before you can say needoh you got ur food! But before you read this next part know literally everyone else is the sweetest humans ever and the experience is amazing and the food is really good. But now to the one bad thing this one volunteer what ever her name was was so so mean. 1st of like bro she took 45 minutes to give me my food and then before that when I tried to order she literally skipped me like girl do you know who I think I am?! Next she literally threw my popcorn at me like good thing I am a pitcher for the MLB but like... also the popcorn was so good when I first order it then when I ordered my second batch that she "made" it was not Gina approved... then when I specifically asked for caned drinks she poured it into to a fountain drink cup, and I didn't see it so I sayed "I am so sorry I think we asked for it caned" she goes it is and threw me a hawk glare. She is a no good girl and if you made it to the end of reading this just know to the volunteer who did this watch your back... read more

visited gardena cinema for the first time this afternoon for a screening of one of my all time favorites army of darkness (1992) and oh my god what a hidden gem!! i've lived in LA for about 4 years and i frequent all of the independent cinemas but somehow this was a blind spot for me. the staff was so kind and helpful and i LOVED the horror decor in the lobby - it's clear that this is a theater that loves a good horror flick! also parking is an absolute dream with a HUGE free lot adjacent to the theater specifically for gardena cinema patrons. i drove 45 minutes from silver lake to check this out and i will absolutely be going again. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS LOVELY FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS!! keeping historic theaters going is so important, especially ones like this :) read more

Gardena Cinema - the schedule from the weekend i visited - Cinema Near Me - Gardena, California

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I showed up late to a movie and since I was the only one attending they restarted the movie. That's great customer service and show they really care for their patrons. I will definitely be coming back here to support this small but quirky and full of heart and passion for cinema. read more

Charming!!! So much personality in the building itself, from the stand alone nature and it's marque, to the lobby and the balcony crying rooms. The owner Judy is a passionate and compassionate person. There's always something special happening at Gardena Cinema. The volunteers work so hard and so a beautiful job of keeping the theater operational. Everyone involved clearly has a love of cinema and the cinematic experience. read more

I will travel far and WIDE to go back to this theater. Parking available and places to eat not too far around. There are snacks at the old school snack bar. The family running the place really cares about the movie experience. My family had a great time watching the The Whole Bloody Affair on the 1st of 2026! read more

I have a good memory this lovely place long time ago since 1997. I'm very respect to Kim's family They so kind and diligent all the time. I wish this Cinema Never move and close! read more

What a cool theater. An Instagram friend posted about this place, so we went to see House of Wax in 3D. Very old school, with a great concession stand- reasonable prices too. All of the employees were so friendly and happy to answer questions. Will definitely be back here! read more

Gardena Cinema - Cinema Near Me - Gardena, California

I never knew this theater existed. We met the owner, Judy Kim. The theater has been around since the '70s. The movie we watched was called "Better Luck Tomorrow." It was my first time watching the movie, and it's a beautiful Asian film. They also show previously screened movies here, and the space is available for rent. Just follow them on Instagram. They also have a huge parking lot next door, so parking won't be an issue. read more

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Such an awesome old school cinema theatre. Loved all of our visits so far along with the atmosphere. Everyone that works there is super nice. They always have cool events (like the one pictured) where they bring in musicians before the film to perform some of the score. Huge plus is definitely the parking as well, it's a huge spacious lot. Only drawback is the popcorn; well, the butter specifically. Unfortunately it was not edible, we had to send it back. But they apologized and gladly gave us another order with no qualms which was truly appreciated. read more

Gardena Cinema - Waiting to see a movie. :) - Cinema Near Me - Gardena, California

Staff was extremely nice and theatre was huge. I really enjoyed my time here. I will be coming back to support this family owned business. read more

Gardena Cinema - Outside - Cinema Near Me - Gardena, California

Step back in time and enjoy classic movies in this historic theater, with a large parking lot and extensive concession options. The friendly owner and staff provided personalized attention, making for a truly unforgettable experience. Highly recommended! read more

Gardena Cinema - Dawn of the Dead in 3D - Cinema Near Me - Gardena, California

I had the best time watching Barbie here! We had a date night and we were so pleased! It's so quaint and cute inside and the owner and my boyfriend and I talked for a long time and got some great movie posters! This is such a cute gem in our neighborhood! We'll be back. read more

Gardena Cinema - My bf - Cinema Near Me - Gardena, California

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Umm first off TOATS cute place. We watched The Shining in the drive in theatre as a fun little date night. The theatre owner spoke briefly in the history of the theatre which i felt like was a nice touch and you can tell she really cares for it. You can of course bring your own food but they have all the movie snacks you can think of. We are definitely going back here. read more

Gardena Cinema - Bathrooms available for drive in movies - Cinema Near Me - Gardena, California

This place is awesome!!! You need to support local movie theaters. Historic and family run, if you're anywhere near Gardena, please stop by and see a movie or come to an event... read more

Gardena Cinema - Cinema Near Me - Gardena, California

This is a cool single screen 800 seat theatre. Was there trying to support a small business & dying industry. They offer food & an intimate viewing experience. read more

This is a wonderful movie palace. 800 seats. The family is so friendly and wonderful. Lots of treats to pick from at the concession stand. Definitely come to this beautiful single screen theater. The last single screen movie house in Los Angeles. Please come out and support this wonderful Theatre. First run films here like Black Panther 2 . They also show classic films to like Clint Eastwood westerns and other wonderful movies you grew up seeing read more

This small Classic theater takes me back to when I was a kid. This is what going to the movie theater was like. I actually bought some thing from the owner off of OfferUp and that's how I ended up at this nifty cool, retro theater Judy the owner has been there since 1976. When her family purchased the theater, very cool lobby reminds me of when they were independent movie theaters still like when I was growing up. This is a very cool piece of history and I was able to park right in the front. Looks like there's a parking lot that is fenced and gated for when the venue is open I was there when it was not open it would be nice to see it with the lights on and popcorn going :-) just meeting Judy and seeing the lobby made me smile and remember a simpler time. I will be going back very soon support your local theaters Independent theaters are practically nonexistent. This is a very cool find. read more

Campy good times. I unironically hope they never update the place. It's a very classic experience.

I drove 18 miles/50 minutes to Gardena Cinema to see a 2:30 screening of The Killers (1946) starring Ava Gardner. I was excited to see this film on the big screen. When I entered the auditorium, the first thing I noticed was that it was very cold. I didn't worry about it because if anybody can warm you up, it's Ava Gardner. 2:30 No movie. 2:45 No movie. 2:50 Someone announces that there are technical difficulties. 3:00 Someone brings the audience a German film festival tote bag and asks for more patience. 3:15 Someone announces that we are going to be shown three shorts that are part of a competition. 3:20 Trailers played followed by the beginning of the first short. 3:31 Obviously, there will be no Ava Gardner; therefore, I leave. I realize that there can be technical difficulties that are not the fault of anyone; however, at some point shortly after 2:30, the audience should have been given a refund. If anyone from Gardena Cinema responds to this I'm sure they will say that I did not ask for a refund. My response in anticipation of that comment is this. Why should I have to ask? Whatever positive spin Gardena Cinema tries to put on this situation is unacceptable. I did not receive what I paid for. A refund should have been instigated by the business. I will never go to this place again. I left the unwanted German film festival tote bag draped on the seat next to me. If anybody wants it, go get it. read more

This place deserves more business & definitely more favorable reviews. In a day-and-age where surround sound, table service, and memory foam recliners dominate chain theaters, this one room (yes I mean that literally) movie house gives you a small taste of the simplicity of yester-years... This place is locally owned & run by an older couple & their daughter, and they sure put in a ton of hours to keep this space up & running smoothly. Hard work at it's finest right here! Yes, the popcorn isn't the freshest & there isn't much in the way of climate control, but this makes you all the more immensed in the movie experience rather than just coming to snap some Instagram photos. You truly get to enjoy a movie in a classic, preserved setting the likes of which the most of this city/country has long since forgotten. This shouldn't be overlooked! Cute, romantic, honest, & wonderful. This place is a Memorable date night as well as a birthday party venue at Extremely reasonable prices. Come here!! read more

Gardena Cinema - Cinema Near Me - Gardena, California

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Movie theatres aren't dying there's just too many multiplexes showing the same boring junk. Real movie fans will always want to see film on a screen and thankfully it seems Gardena Cinema has a good chance of making it since they moved away from first runs. Not having to drive to midCity/Wilshire is a giant plus. read more