Ritz At the Bourse

What’s not to love? Amazing movies and authentic butter for the popcorn. I have no idea what poison most theaters use in their butter but it always makes me grossly ill. Not this place I can indulge in butter heaven… I do actually watch the movies as well

Good movies. Lousy popcorn.
Chances are, if you’re going to see a movie here, it’s because it’s not anywhere else. Last time I was there, there were no lines for the tickets or concessions. Even though I got there eight minutes late, and got popcorn, I got in in time for the start of the movie. Seriously, though, the popcorn was tasteless and mostly small bits. Come on, Ritz, step it up.

Great place to catch indie movies. Small but good selection, plus great calendar of classics being screened. They have much better offerings in the food section than typical theaters. Also in a great area to catch a bite to eat before heading over to watch movies.

Came here for the Film Festival and was impressed with this theater! It’s a bit classier than going to your average movie theater, and it was very clean. Sound quality was good, all staff was very helpful, and I got a free popcorn and soda gift card! I’d come back for something like that :)

This is the best place to see a movie in Philly. It’s small, clean, and they generally the select best movies! There is a discount on Wednesdays, so double up if you are a senior or a student. Support small, more independent theaters!

Similar to the Ritz 5 but the theaters are smaller and the seating is cramped for anyone with long legs. So it’s not completely comfortable for me to see a movie here. But it is a nice spot to see the more obscure independent films. The theaters and bathrooms are kept clean. The concession stand is a bit limited. But the best thing is that the people that come here love movies. You don’t get the idiots talking and texting during the movie.

Ritz at the Bourse is an art-​house movie theatre located a few blocks from the Liberty Bell. When an usher complimented me on my «Eraserhead» hat I figured this must be the theatre all the Philadelphia cinephiles frequent.
I was in town for a midnight screening of «The Room» hosted by writer/​director/​star Tommy Wiseau. As I took the escalator down to the lobby Tommy was already signing autographs for fans and posing for pictures. Autographs and pictures with Tommy were free to any ticket-​buyer that also purchased an item from the merchandise table. Set up by the snack bar, the merch table featured t-​shirts, posters, and other Tommy Wiseau memorabilia. The pricing was very reasonable and even cheaper than buying directly from his website. I purchased a three-​pack of Tommy Wiseau underwear. They were very comfortable but run a bit small and I had to buy one size larger than normal. Before Tommy was a cult figure he made his money in the fashion world and the clothing’s high quality speaks to his industry experience.
I was so excited to actually meet Tommy Wiseau and now there’s one more item I can cross off my bucket list. Tommy is obviously very appreciative of his fans and generous with his time. He signed all three pairs of my underwear and posed for numerous pictures. I also received a blessing from Tommy and a special «The Room» dog tag.
Tommy introduced the pilot episode of his new television show before the main feature started. In «The Neighbors» Tommy Wiseau plays the manager of an apartment building who frequently interacts with his eccentric renters. Tommy’s assistant, Raul Phoenix, has a supporting role in «The Neighbors» and was also present for the screening. The half-​hour sitcom was followed by a Q&A and Tommy fielded numerous questions from the audience. After Tommy and Raul left for the night «The Room» began. The film was projected off a Blu-​ray and the transfer looked wonderful on the big screen.
I have seen «The Room» many times on DVD but only once in the theater during a previous Rifftrax live event. This screening of «The Room» was different because of the audience participation angle. «The Room» has been turned into a «Rocky Horror Picture Show» experience complete with callbacks and props. By the end of the night the aisles were littered with plastic spoons that had been thrown throughout the theater during corresponding moments in the film. Ritz at the Bourse hosted a fabulous event and I’ll be sure to stop back next time I’m in Philadelphia.

student discount good but senior discount really works for me.
nice staff, the manager addressed all of us before the movie en mas, welcoming us and asking to come with him with any concerns and complaints. nice touch.
clean bathrooms ‚… but damn those snacks are expensive!

Highly recommend catching a flick at this chain of theaters. They are clean and affordable. Support indie film!

I come here out of necessity, not choice. Because the Rave near Penn doesn’t play most good movies (good as in, Oscar-​nominated films rather than blockbusters), I usually have to venture to Olde City to fulfill my movie quota. So 3 stars for the movie choices (although…movie theaters should just show higher quality movies instead of only chick flicks/​blockbusters/​Kevin Hart).
However, the theater itself is pretty small, old-​fashioned, and run-​down. The prices are the same as any clean and new AMC theater, AND last time we were there they wouldn’t let us enter the theatre after 15 minutes after the movie had started – it should’ve been our choice whether or not we choose to miss the first 15 minutes! The movie wasn’t even sold out or anything – my friend who had gotten there on time said she was basically the only one in the theater.

The Ritz is always a great spot to check out a good movie… especially independent films and reissues. Low ticket prices, cheaper than usual popcorn and snacks, and no sign of the crowds that popularize the large chain theaters.
Pro tip, the parking lot above the theater has reduced price parking with a validated ticket from the theater

This Ritz is nice but not as nice as the Ritz 5. The movie selection is good and so is the popcorn. There have great movie midnight series!

Nice theater liked the size and chairs went back a little. Smaller than most theaters. Screen wasn’t the best quality but cute place

I love the Ritz! It’s my favorite place in Philadelphia to catch a movie. They play many titles, including smaller/artsy/things-you-have-to-look-up-because-they’re-not-major-picture films.
Try to get there a little before the show, as sometimes they do sell out of tickets because the theaters aren’t huge.

They show/​perform RHPS here once a month, so I cannot complain. In fact, it was loverly. Good cast, good time.
I also enjoy the venue in general. The two times I have occasioned to visit. Nothing about it blew me away, but the Ritz theatres shall always have a soft spot in my heart for showing rare, under-​promoted movies.

For more than two decades, the Ritz has been our favorite art/​indie house theatre. It has always been well-​run and clean. One of our favorite amenities, however, is something that money cannot buy: An audience that is actually interested in the production and is respectful of fellow theatre-​goers. We have grown weary of the omnipresent impoliteness that we have experienced at commercial theaters. There, admonitions to turn off mobile devices and keep discussions quiet and brief are largely ignored, and we leave those theatres frustrated instead of energized by the cinema that which we paid handsomely to view.

Never bought anything from the concessions, but, this a pretty alright theatre. Small indie place that plays both first-​run and repertory including midnight movies. Staff seems alright. My only complain is that it is a little cramped and to get there early or you may wind up sitting with A) strangers or B) even standing at the back for a major event.

I like that the Ritz shows films that are otherwise nearly impossible to come across, I like how clean the place is and the staff is friendly. Their prices are also reasonable.
They lose one star because their seats are horrible. They’re way too narrow. I felt like an adult in a child’s chair, but then again, I’m 5′ 8″ and weigh 165 so I’m not petite.

This was a nice experience for a movie night.
Two things that were different here:
1) We saw a not-​so-​mainstream movie called «Dallas Buyers Club» which is an interesting piece with Matthew McConaughey (which drew lots of oohs and ahhs for the ladies), so it was a little more of an intelligent flick.
2) This was a clean theatre, and it seems alot nicer than the larger movie houses we often goto. The concessions were standard but not overpriced, and their service was friendly.
Side Note: I thought the sound system was good, but no better or worse than any good theatre I’ve been too. I mention this because a friend raved about how awesome the sound was. I think this is probably because it wasn’t a HUGE place and you could hear it very well.
Overall — If there’s an opportunity to come back and see a movie, I would come here without a second thought.

I love the Ritz theaters and have for ages. Ritz at the Bourse is no exception. The ticket prices are reasonable, the staff are friendly and professional, and the sound and projection equipment are state-​of-​the-​art. They provide a quality movie theater experience right in Center City. I love that living in Philly I have such great access to foreign and independent releases.
I do wish they had more healthy and non-​carby snack options since they do an upscale concession counter. Barring that, however, their popcorn is stellar.