These are 19 of the most unusual movie theaters in Southern California. (2023)

Want to add even more to your cinematic experience?

Instead of going to the same theater as usual or even to a different oneThe Most Famous Movie Attractions in Southern California, you might want to try a slightly different location. We've put together a selection of outstanding cinemas that are worth the price of admission, whether it's for the decor, the history or something else.

BEACH TOWN

Lido-Theater:Art Deco is the norm here, inside and out. You might want to show up before the lights go out so you can immerse yourself in the surroundingsSea Creatures MuralsSwim through the theater walls. Thanks to Bette Davis, the powder room has a comfortable seating area. In accordance with local lore, in 1938 the star stopped by the theater while it was being built and told the owner that "it's better to start with my picture," referring to his next film, Jezebel. this year. Yes, 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach, 949-673-8350,https://regencymovies.com.

INNER REALM

Tiki Mission Theater:This place is a four screen screendrive inRemodeled in 2006 to offer ticket booths resembling tiki huts, a tiki-themed concession stand, and a Maui statue garden. Although the menu isn't Polynesian, the place prides itself on its pizza and Mexican food. Tickets include 2 films and cost $9. Ages 10+ and children 5-9 years: $1.10798 Ramona Ave., Montclair, 909-628-0511,https://missiontiki.com/.

Lesekinos Cal Oaks con Titan Luxe:This theatre, which has just completed a multi-million dollar renovation, features 17 screens including two premium Titan Luxe auditoriums with Dolby Atmos sound. The ticket booth has been replaced by a reception desk and there are sun loungers in all rooms. Six of the auditoriums also have waiter service and artisanal food and drink menus. 41090 California Oaks Road, Murrieta, 951-696-7045,http://caloaks.readingcinemasus.com/the-reading-experience/

In Temeku Cinema:What sets this theater apart is its popularity. If you check out the comments on their Facebook page, you'll be amazed at how many miles people travel to get here. It's an older place, but it's clean and tidy and shows current movies for $3.75-$4.50 plus $2 for 3D. It also regularly screens old movies and offers sweepstakes and free-ticket giveaways. 26463 Ynez Road, Temecula, 951-296-9728,http://temecula.tristonecinemas.com.

LANGER STRAND

Old Towne Music Room:Classic and silent films are shown here with the accompaniment of a 1925 Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ, if required. The organ components are fluorescently tinted to glow under black lights, and there's a chant before each film. Tickets are $10 general and $8 for seniors, but please note that they are only available from the theater box office 30 minutes before each performance and can only be purchased by cash or check. 140 Richmond Street, El Segundo, 310-322-2592,www.oldtownmusichall.com.

Teatros Regency Norwalk 8:Located at the back of a mall, this cinema feels mundane until you step inside. The lobby walls are painted black and there is an impressive amount of neon and other colored lighting that makes you feel like you're on the deck of an alien spaceship or should have put on your disco clothes. There is no disco ball, but tickets for current movies are $2-$3 except on Tuesdays when all seats are $1.50. If you want to watch 3D movie add $2. 13917 Pioneer Blvd., Norwalk, 562-804-5615,https://regencymovies.com.

THE ANGEL

Egyptian Theater:A courtyard lined by two rows of tall trees leads to this theater filled with Egyptian motifs, including a bold sun-dappled auditorium ceiling. An interesting side note is that it opened in 1922, a month before the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb, sparking a craze for Egyptian art and architecture. It was renovated in 1998 when it was acquired by the nonprofit cultural organization American Cinematheque. The theater screens classic films with live performances by filmmakers and actors. 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, 323-466-3456,http://www.americancinematheque.com/.

Los Angeles County Art Museum:The cinema is an integral part of this venue, showing classics, documentaries, exhibition-related films and more, and hosting film and film talks and other programs. Take a break from the museum exhibits with Tuesday morning's ongoing series, which focuses on classic films at 1:00 p.m. M. for $2-4 plus museum admission, Free: $25 Late Night Movies $10 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 323 857-6010,www.lacma.org.

New Beverly cinema:The building is one of the oldest Revival houses in Southern California. It opened as a vaudeville theater in 1920 and went through several incarnations until Quentin Tarantino bought it in 2007. Tarantino curates his selection of 35mm and vintage, short and animated films. It is currently closed for updates but will reopen later this year. 7165 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, 323-938-4038,www.thenewbev.com.

Alte Kinos Los Feliz 3:The Art Deco theme screams retro, but this cinema screens first films. The auditoriums are cozy, only about 5 rows wide, but home fans enjoy the intimacy of the most modern arena-style theaters. 1822 N Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, 323-664-2169,www.vintagecinemas.com/losfeliz/.

Vintage Theater Vista-Kinos:Designed by theater architect Lewis A. Smith, this venue began life in 1923 as the Lou Bard Playhouse. The only auditorium has a 50-foot screen and JBL sound, and the theater offers "the most legroom in Hollywood." It shows classics on 35mm film and new films on digital. 4473 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, 323-660-6639,http://vintagecinemas.com/vista/.

ORANGE COUNTY

The Frida cinema:Owned by a non-profit arts organization, this old-style theater has volunteers at the box office and concessions. The old auditorium seats have recently been replaced with comfortable, high-back seats. Billing itself as "Orange County's Year-round Film Festival," the venue screens independent, classic, short, anime, cutting-edge and current films. And as a bonus, each ticket comes with a discount offer at a local restaurant. 305 E. 4th St. #100, Santa Ana, 714-285-9422,www.thefridacinema.org.

Related:Offbeat or cheap, these are the best places to see a movie in Orange County.

CGV-Kinos Buena Park 8 in Los Angeles:These state-of-the-art cinemas offer selected current films in 4DX and ScreenX. Movies shown in 4DX engage your sensescomplete experience, while the seats move and vibrate three-dimensionally, there are wind, rain, fog, bubbles, snow and storm, light and sounds, and smells. ScreenX films expand along the auditorium's side walls for a 270-degree view. Venues also feature curved screens, fully reclining chairs, personal cell phone charging stations, and storage areas, and serve signature popcorn, beer, and wine. 6988 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, 714-252-6826 and 621 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, 213-388-9000,www.cgvcinemas.com. You can also find movies viewed in 4DX and ScreenX atRegal LA LIVE: A Barco innovation hub:1000 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, 844-462-7342, ext. 4046,https://www.regmovies.comand movies viewed in 4DXCinepolis:8540 Whittier Boulevard, Pico Rivera, 562-205-3456,https://www.cinepolisusa.com.

WORD GABRIEL TAL

Norton-Simon-Museum:Film series are occasionally offered in the hotel theater throughout the year. They usually show another movie at 5:30pm. Every Friday for a month or more, all with a specific theme. Best of all, the exhibits are free with museum admission -- $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and free for children under 18, students, and active-duty military -- and no reservations are required to seea bit of artbefore or after the show. 411 W. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, 626-449-6840,www.nortonsimon.org.

Academia Cinemas da Regency:It opened in 1925 as Bard's Egyptian (yes, another Lou Bard theater) with themed decor before being sold in 1942 to Fox, who covered the statues with murals of mermaids and underwater scenes. The venue hosted star-studded premieres in the 1950s, eventually evolving into an academy and its past greatness buried under flat plaster. Its large auditorium was divided, dividing the ground floor into four theaters and the balcony into two. The result is some very odd seating configurations that persist to this day in this decidedly understated theatre. Some seats may need replacing and areas are sometimes cordoned off when it rains, but it's fairly clean and shows current movies at affordable prices, which is why the crowds come. Tickets are $2.50 to $3.50 and are available after 6pm on Wednesdays. is Date Night with 2 tickets, 2 popcorn and 2 sodas for $10 1003 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 626-229-9400,https://regencymovies.com.

Related:This man has maintained the Wurlitzer organ at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse for 40 years

Missionstheater San Gabriel:This stunning venue usually hosts ballet and theater productions but also has a Silent Sundays series in August and occasionally other times of the year. A wide range of silent films will be screened, from comedy to science fiction, all accompanied by the winner of the American Theater Organ Society's Organist of the Year award on the venue's 1924 Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ. 320 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel, 626-308-2868,www.missionplayhouse.org.