CineArts – Sequoia

Old school Mill Valley.
The vibe is mellow, the seats are cushy, and I can count on seeing both small films and bigger budget ones.

Whenever I’m in the mood to see a particular film, I cross my fingers while I scroll down the Chronicle’s movie page in hopes that it is playing here.
Not only is the the Sequoia a super charming theater with its deco interior, but it actually has comfortable seating. I normally don’t gripe about old-​timey theater seats, but if you’re going to see a long movie like Interstellar, you want your derriére to be well cushioned. Compared to the CineArts in Sausalito, these seats are first class.
There is a good combination of blockbusters and independent films, and although there are only two screens here, there is always something that I’d like to see. In October the theater is part of the Mill Valley Film Festival, bringing in a slew of interesting films that you can’t see anywhere else.
Unlike some of the other theaters in Marin which are isolated from good food and drink, like the one on Smith Ranch Road in San Rafael, the Sequoia is in a prime location for pre or post-​film bites and beverages. And ice cream-​very important.
There is no shortage of movie theaters in the North Bay, but many are megaplex monsters. Treat yourself to an intimate experience right here.

I live in Mill Valley and I’m so happy to have this little gem of a movie theatre within reach. What I like about the Sequoia theatre is that they show a good mixture between semi-​blockbusters and popular independent films — and usually they’re spot on with hitting my taste buds. Films I’ve seen here were most recently, «Wild» with Reith Witherspoon, «The 100 Foot Journey with Helen Mirren, or «The Hotel Budapest» with Jude Law.
I usually like to combine a visit here, with a drink or meal at one of the nearby restaurants, such as a hefty burger from Pearl’s or a more delicate meal at Mill Valley Beerworks. And if I’m in a hurry… I’ll simply grab an Punjabi Burrito from Avatar’s.
Obviously, this is also the centre for the Mill Valley Film Festival.

A very nice neighborhood movie theater, which often features independent movies. Comfortable seats, clean bathrooms, and nice staff.

Far too many ads before the movie. 15 minutes if it. I won’t go back.

Great theater in nice weather but horrible in the cold. 2 hours sitting in 60 degrees was enough so we left halfway through the Sound of Music.

Liked this theater. They play a lot of limited releases, which always end up being excellent movies. Also, exterior and interior in a sense are sort of historic and old time feeling.

I loved this little theater. Enjoyed seeing the independent movie Robot & Frank here while visiting the Bay area. They were also showing The Master, support local theaters!

Date night: Thursday, 7÷26÷12
Date night movie: To Rome With Love
Date night attire: ripped jeans, that hipster looking sweater I always wear, MAC’s Ruby Woo on the lips (which btw, my date hates with a burning passion *red-​lipped frown*
Number of date night kisses stolen during movie: 8
Tickets were $ 10.50/per person. Theater only shows two movies at a time. Two women’s bathrooms with a high stall count. They serve Starbucks coffee & treats at the concession stand. Very friendly ticket taker lady. Comfy red seats with armrests that go up. Completely unrelated to the theater, but we found parking right in front. A Woody Allen kinda date night. Five Stars! I heart CineArts!

A gen-​u– wine movie theeeater !
So glad it remains and they show a nice selection of current films.
Great for date night.

This has become my favorite cinema in Marin. I am always pleased when a movie appears at the Sequoia that I am interested in. Most recently it was MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, but there were many more preceding that.
The Sequoia has been long lasting in the city of Mill Valley. Indeed, it feels like its friendly relationship with the downtown is part of its appeal. The large and classy marquee looks out over Throckmorton Avenue and guides the many passerby to what’s new from specialty Hollywood. The ticket window winks at you with its delicate exterior, giving no hint of the elaborate two auditoriums that lie behind the door. The screens themselves are twins in the best sense of the word, and were once united as one large cinema — which I’m too young to have seen but would have loved to — prior to 1975.
Staff are almost always attentive to patron’s needs and maintaining the high standards of the cinema — as well as that «Southern Marin» need and want; local residents may know what I refer to.
The restrooms are admittedly small, but I feel like that is part of the charm, like a well preserved time capsule. Seats in the auditoriums may seem unusual at first, facing the screen at a slight angle… but you grow to get used to them with repeat visits.

Wonderful old downtown movie theatre. Friendly place, good movies. Skip the mall and cineplex!

Lovely theater right in the village of Mill Valley. Very friendly people, good popcorn, and comfortable seats. And… there is a film festival in the fall!

Nice little theatre, I ‘ve been going for years. But the seats are the most uncomfortable in the entire bay area. If you are over 5’8, you will find these seats too small, and you are likely to experience burining knees, sore shoulders if you sit in them for more than hour. Bummer. we go weekly to the movies, but we drive out of Mill Valley to go elsewhere, because the whole family is 5’8 to 6’5.

I’ve only been to this theater once (for the Mill Valley Film Festival), but I didn’t have any major complaints (other than the fact that they didn’t have hot dogs at the concession stand). It’s an older theater, but it was clean and only had a hint of that old-​theater smell.
There are four (I think) theaters and they’re medium in size. I found the sound and projection to be just-​ok, but again, it’s an older theater. As long as it’s not a big-​budget FX film, I’d definitely go back for another movie.
Because it’s located on Mill Valley’s main drag, one of the biggest draws for the theater, I think, is that there are tons of complimentary businesses within walking distance. So, if you’re on a date, there are lots of choices for bars, restaurants, shopping, etc.

Hey Mr. «EveryOtherTheater» do you see the stars this place has? There is a reason for that. But hesitate to give that reason up for fear this wonderful theater. Oops! I said it! Wonderful! This is a word that describes the CineArts Sequoia to a tee.
I know you have been wanting to go back in time to a theater of the 50’s to the early 70’s. Look no further than this CineArts location. What hits you first is the tiny ticket window for what appears to the small location. This ruse is soon exposed when you enter the door to a small but efficient lobby and snack bar. Then walk into theater 2 and find an auditorium much bigger and quite surprising. Ok, it’s not a mega size. And that is precisely what is so charming (in the best of ways) about this theater. The size is perfect for every seat in the house. Even the very front row is not a bad seat. If you find yourself again the walls you will still have plenty of room and a fine view. Are you one of the people that like to snuggle with your honey in the back. Well snuggle away and still enjoy the movie. (see my pictures)
While you are snuggling will will fine there are no distractions from the movie and your mate because the floors is clean. The seats are clean. The walls are clean. The screen is clean and clear. Even the smell of the theater is much better than places just a few years old. The seats are very comfortable and the arms swing up for and increased «snugability» factor, or if you came alone then you’re have room to spread out and enjoy the film like you were on your own couch.
So you came to see a movie too? Well walk right in and enjoy. This CineArts Sequoia has lots of quality films judging by the line up when I went. I saw «Easy Virtue». An early 1900’s movie dripping with sarcastic comedy whose purpose is to give you a peek into the life of a Brit who has gone and married an boisterous American and has now brought his new bride home to a surprised family. A movie like Easy Virtue feels like it was created to be shown at this theater. Similarly the CineArts Sequoia feels like it was built to show movies of this caliber. But this is not a movie review so back to the theater. (see my pictures)
— Location. In an attractive small town with in convenient reach drive wise.
— Venue. perfectly sized and warm cozy felling.
— Excellent concessions.
— Friendly staff.
— Well maintained auditorium.
— Clean bathrooms.
— Walking distance in every direction to some great food.
— Quality movies.
All of these points above add up to a thought of «what took me so long!». You will also be saying the same thing when you take in a movie here.
(see my pictures)
Come see a movie here and you will find other who obviously see the same attraction for this theater. How do I know? Just look around when the lights go back up and you will find the seats still filled with attendees who want to enjoy every last second of their time spent at the movies.
One last little secret, drive time is less than thirty minutes from downtown SF. Worth every second I spent on the short drive to go toe the Sequoia. I know you will feel the same way too.
My final and most potent statement about my experience at this theater is simply this: I live in Pacifica. From now on I will be checking to see what movies are playing at the Sequoia. I will be making the trip and paying the Golden Gate Bridge toll just to see more movies here. And that my friends is better than any five stars I could award the Sequoia.

I love this cinema because its the best of both worlds — small scale, fits into the downtown perfectly, shows indi films, yet is NEW and clean and comfortable on the inside! I only see about two movies a year in the cinema these days, so I’ll pay $ 10 for comfy clean seats.
Sadly, this theater is not independently owned any longer so the socially responsible side of me would prefer to see films at The Lark in downtown Larkspur.

Loved it! Classic theater where we saw «Real Time» at the Mill Valley Film Festival. Got a discount on the tickets, even.
Seats were comfortable, bathrooms were clean, place smelled deliciously of popcorn. Awesome!

Classic Mill Valley. Old-​school 2-​screen theater right downtown in «the Village». It’s small, so there are only 2 movies showing at any one time, but it’s friendly and charming. However, the prices aren’t old school ($ 10), and you’re still subjected to an awful lot of pre-​movie ads.
I just learned that, after decades of being owned by the same family, the theater was just sold (for a mere $ 2.5 million … that’s a bargain by downtown Mill Valley standards!) to the fine people/​organization who revamped the Rafael theater in San Rafael. A lot of these smaller indie theaters are in disrepair and go under, so I’m glad to see that this one looks like it will survive.
Oh, and don’t miss the cool 20s-​style bathroom, with its movie-​star lights and octagon-​tile floors.

I went here to see Colors of Memory with a friend, the movie was wonderful and the theater was great. Of course I’m used to the trash Napa gets for a theater. The food items were pricy (but what theater isn’t?) and the seats were great.
We did have to go out of our way to get our tickets but that would be due to the fact it was a film festival and not the normal round of movie showings.