I've walked by this building many times and often forget that there is a small theater in there. I…read morewas even in the lobby area for an open house event but it wasn't until recently that I attended an event in the actual theatre. Seating is limited but seats are comfortable and spacious. I know they have occasional free screenings here but I'm not sure where those are listed. Nice reuse of industrial space. I'll have to research this venue and its offerings more closely.

Full Frame Theater is a place for LOVERS! Located in the heart of American Tobacco Campus, you…read morecan't help but notice the old fashioned, neon-at-night, knockout sign including lightening boltZ and POWER PLANT blazing bright along the top along with the black-and-white FULL FRAME THEATER text. You should know, going to see a show at Full Frame is rather difficult to do during the year. The building itself, which houses offices on the top floors, an impressive boiler room and a LOVELY art gallery next door {Power Plant Gallery} is open to the public during the day for typical office hours. It IS WORTH IT just to stop in during the day, because the building is AMAZING! Truly one of the MOST spectacular sites to see in Durham, this old power plant has been converted into a fully functioning theater, venue and office space. Besides its use of the theater for special events, it also houses the Full Frame Film Festival offices [a WONDERFUL annual international event dedicated to the theatrical exhibition of nonfiction cinema. The festival takes place from morning to midnight every April, showing 100's! of films, discussions, panels and brings in people from all over the world to experience Durham hospitality at its finest!]. But Full Frame Theater is MUCH MORE then just the film festival, they show FREE documentary screenings May through November, although typically only once a month on Durham's Third Friday Art Walk. Tickets are free, but you must reserve a ticket the morning of, beginning at 9am. The theater itself is a DREAM. State-of-the-art projectors, HD resolution, surround sound, comfy seating: amazing, amazing, AMAZING! When you think of a refurbished power plant theater, you might think: OLD fashioned, restored, not great quality BUT lovely space. Well, Full Frame is not only an amazing building with lots of history BUT a great theater as well! You walk through the front door of the theater, and immediately are located in the old BOILER Room of the power plant: hard to describe because it's just so impressive, but think brick exterior, massive windows, polished concrete floors; contemporary while in a historical setting. This building has been standing since the 1930's and should be celebrated along with its partner and Durham icon: the Lucky Strike Smokestack and Lucky Strike Water Tower! So visit with lovers, visit with friends, visit with family, just VISIT this iconic site. AMERICAN TOBACCO CAMPUS: rendition by your's truly [Rose L.]; of Full Frame Theater! __________ I_ _I I L I I U I I C I I K I I Y I I I OO I *o* I OOO I * * I OOOO I S I OOOO I T I OOOO I R I OOOO I I I ___OOOO___ I K I I FULL I I E I I FRAME I ___I______ I_______I THEATER I ____ I I___________ I I I ___________ I I I I I I I I * I * I I I _I_____I_____ I_ I

Very clean and modernized theater. I went on a Tuesday when ticket prices were only $5.75. The…read morestaff were cleaning the building when I arrived and were still cleaning after the movie. The leather was well kept on the seats. All the staff members were pleasant and friendly. Pros Clean Pick your own seats Wide snack variety Plenty of parking Lots of seating Dining area Reasonable prices Cons Popcorn was just okay Seats obscure screen

This theater sucks and won't last long. It'll be just like RED Cinemas. Just go to Four Seasons or…read morePalladium honestly. I'm gonna copy and paste my review from Google below. EDIT 6/23/2026 : THIS PLACE IS SO BAD! MANAGEMENT IS TERRIBLE! DO NOT COME HERE! I Literally had a bad experience here 2 days ago on Sunday and left a bad review (check below). Came back to give them another chance today and the lights didn't cut off for the movie. I alerted a worker and they said yea we can't control it. So nobody was going to alert a customer beforehand????? And again, no complimentary anything for the troubles! THIS THEATER LITERALLY SUCKS AND NEEDS NEW MANAGEMENT. 0 STARS. Old review 6/21/2026 : Won't be coming back. Had somebody in my seat. Staff offered to move them, or have me see another showing 3 hours later at 10PM. No complimentary anything. Guess they don't bother to check tickets here on Premier Weekends in your "ELITE" Cinema experience? There's 7+ people behind the register, but nobody checks your ticket unless you get concessions. Odd.