Fremont Theater

I went to the Fremont theater 3 weeks ago for a date night. I’m very picky when it comes to movies and I was skeptical if this 70 year old theater would be up to the challenge. The place is big, very well maintained and full of friendly folks and workers. There were more people there than I expected but the seats were comfortable and there was plenty of leg room. Part of me was feeling nostalgic and hoped they’d play an old silent movie! The whole theater felt vintage and was quite truly an experience. The audio was perfect and the screen was huge like an imax one. Everything was good; the atmosphere, the prices, the ambiance. I will definitely be back soon

Grew up going to movies here in the 60’s. Please keep bringing back the old movies, we love seeing them. Love the building itself as it is such a nostalgia for us who were teens here in SLO. Same bathroom, and ceiling. Love love love this place.

We attended a concert here last night. I thought the venue was a great place to see live music. The seats are a little narrow (people were once thinner, I believe), but we could sit in the back, have great sight-​lines, and spread out a little. People who wanted to dance could hang out closer to the stage. They needed more alcohol sales workers for the between-​sets rush (that line got a little out of hand). I really like the opportunity to see good live music someplace smaller than the PAC … that isn’t a bar.

Great for movies. But do NOT try and go to a concert. Even though u wait in line for an hour or so to get good seats — security said its general admission so it means people can literally go wherever they want (which includes standing right against you while you’re sitting) and sitting on the edge of your chairs and pushing on top of u. Totally filling up the aisles as tight as u possibly can. Underage drinking everywhere — again security was sitting right in front of 2 kids I watched with an under 21 wrist Band on drinking everyone’s beer. Cannot even get out of your row to go to the restroom!!! If there was a fire– no way u would get out if you’re in the front!!!

Actual venue is cool. DO NOT GO TO CONCERTS HERE! We waited almost 2 hours in the front of line to get in, got in second row and they say the isle is «fair game» so even though we were up close from waiting in a long line, we couldn’t see a thing from underage college students drinking and in our way EVEN THOUGH it’s clearly a fire hazard to be in the isle, which a worker even told them and didn’t enforce the movement in it. They should definitely be inspected for not only the underage drinking (and yes, we clearly saw the staff look at them and their brightly colored «under 21» wristband and do nothing) and the safety of others as far as the fire hazards go.

LOVE everything about this place. Vintage era. The bathrooms need a face lift, but inside the theater is great. We came for a concert. The backdrop for the band was pretty bland but not sure who is responsible for that. I’d love to see a film here.

Old? Yes.
Sticky floors? Yup.
Nasty out dated bathroom? Uh huh.
Awful concession stand? You betcha.
Coolest movie theater? Indeed.
Just walk in to the theater and look up.
This place has been around, and I have been seeing movies here since ’99.
A huge screen, with seats that run allllll the way right up to it.
Long long aisles, so if you like to sit in the back, go for it, and I won’t hear you.
If you sit on the side it’s still a good seat.
In fact this is one of those places where the old seats are more comfortable than the newer ones in other theaters.
The thing I love is this still feels classic and classy despite the above mentioned items.
They host Fathom Events here, so live streams of cool and random shows, musicals, operas, and RiffTrax events can all be seen here.
The price is good and even on a crowded night there is still plenty of seating.
It’s the quintessential spot to come enjoy a big screen spectacle.
I’m here at least twice a month. (I just forget to check-in…don’t judge)

Classic old style theatre. Starting from the walk up ticket office out front and ending with the original theatre type décor inside.
Not only plays current movies, but also plays an older flick once a month. It was awesome to see movies like The Shining on the big screen, since I was not old enough to go see it first run. Keep up the great work!

Horrible. Horrible. Horrible.
And what a shame– the service and experience at this venue has to be in direct opposition to what the original founders envisioned. While it’s run down, you can see how beautiful a facility it once was.
Last night, we arrived from 15 miles away to find out that the movie we’d come to see (Philomena) was cancelled and replaced with one we had no interest in seeing (Walter Mitty– sorry Ben Stiller). Then the unfriendly, overworked cranky manager let us know not only was the movie cancelled, the theater Walter Mitty was playing it has NO RUNNING WATER. What in the third world?!? Mr. Crankypants then asked us to wait in the lobby to be taken over to the theather where Walter Mitty would be playing. Where are you taking us?!
We waited for 2 minutes then said what are we doing– we don’t wanna do this– and got a refund.
The manager actually encouraged us to complain– so here I am.
Stay away until they get their S figured out. I’d guess they’ll close before that happens.

An oldie but a goodie! Hope at some point an investor puts up $ to refurbish this epic theater.

I wish their chairs are more comfortable. There is not enough room for your legs.

As a local, my rating might be boosted by nostalgia, but the «Big Fremont» is awesome. The retro ceilings and décor, the velvety seats, the funky feel… love it. Their phone number on the movie experience website is listed as «no longer in service», but that’s the only negative I can come up with. Since they only have the one large screen, movie times are limited. I never mind making it work since the experience is worth it!

Large main theater.
Went in to see The Hobbit. (Only offered in 3D)
Plenty of seating. Clean.
Concession stand expensive as always.

Wow, 26 Unilocal reviews and not a single one mentions that the Fremont Theater is actually composed of TWO different theaters: the historic Fremont Theater (the one all these Unilocal reviews cover), and the red-​headed-​stepchild Mission Cinemas, right next door. They are both served by the same box office but are two different experiences.
(There is actually a Unilocal page for Mission Cinemas, but it has zero reviews. [sadtrom​bone​.com])
So, the historic Fremont Theater is really something to behold: a gargantuan stadium of cinema boasting an amazing ceiling, seats aplenty, and booming sound system. This is the place to see your blockbuster premieres and whatnots. If you want to see a movie inside this theater, go to
and make sure your movie is playing there and not at Mission Cinemas.
Mission Cinemas next door is essentially its own entity, the introverted younger child to the Fremont’s showy firstborn (yeah I know I screwed up my own metaphor). A long mirrored hallway leads to a quieter movie theatre featuring its own bathrooms and concession stand, completely separate from the Fremont. I can’t understand the other Unilocal reviews that call this theater «tiny.» Have you ever been to Downtown Centre Cinema? Now THAT’s tiny.
I guess when you compare a theater that can seat probably upwards of 500 (Fremont) to one that can «only» seat a couple hundred (Mission), that’s pretty small. But it was plenty big for me, with stadium seating, great sound, and all the things I expect from a modern movie theatre.
I would see a movie in either Mission Cinemas or the historic Fremont Theater any day over Downtown Centre.

Gorgeous art deco interior! This place is excellent for not only catching the new releases, but also the «flashback» movies. If you are short, know that the seats don’t slant. So make sure you are seated in an area where a 6’3″ person in front of you won’t obstruct your view.
Women’s bathroom — very cute!

The Fremont Theater hearkens to a mostly forgotten era of paying homage to art, for the sake of art. The interior of the theater is truly breathtaking. Now, on to the pros and cons.
Pros:
+ Resplendent art deco interior, an amazing sight to take in before watching the show
+ Finding a seat is never a problem, it feels like a massive cave in there
+ Sound system is one of the best in the county
+ They play select films in 3D
+ You can pre-​order tickets online
+ Military members, students and seniors can get a discount
+ Main room is so massive, you never have to get stuck behind teenage girls playing with their phones
+ First show of the day is only $ 5.50
Cons:
— Prices are on the higher side for the tickets, $ 8 for kids 3 – 12 seems steep, only a $ 1 discount for seniors, students and military
— Concession prices have a 800% mark-​up
— Matinees are $ 8, not exactly a bargain
In summary, the Fremont is worth exploring on architectural merits alone, plus the massive screen size and excellent sound system should satisfy the hardcore cinemaphile. Instead of paying $ 7 for a tub of popcorn, I recommend paying a visit to the many tastier and healthier options in the area.

AMAZING theater. A must-​see just for the architecture alone if you’re ever in SLO.
I must have seen over a dozen movies here, and this theater never disappoints. My most recent film being «10,000 BC» which was a total bomb, but even funnier on a big screen with a room packed full of people laughing at one of the name character’s being named «dick dick.»
I would give this 5 stars but I’ve reserved that for my ultimate fave, the SLO PALM theater, that has super cheap eats and amazing foreign flicks.

I LOVE the old décor of the main theater room.
The prices are AWESOME! The first showing every show is only $ 5.50, that is fantastic! You can see a double feature of new movies for the regular cost of one movie at a corporate theater.
Every time I travel to SLO, I come to this theater.

$ 6 large popcorn
$ 4.50 small popcorn
$ 3.75 large soda
$ 3.5 regular soda
Two screens — one through the main entrance and one you enter through on the side.
I don’t come here THAT often — I come here when
1. I want to see a movie played on a bigger screen or
2. When I know it’s going to be packed — the bigger screen theater seats over 500 people.
That is what this theater is good for…

Just got back from watching a movie here at the Fremont (Battle Los Angeles) and it sure does bring me back to a nostalgic time. They also offer an array of classic movies throughout the year. I absolutely love the décor in the theater room here and the screen is quite large. The audio is amazing and had no problems with the movie playing while I was here. The seats aren’t stadium seats but they are slightly slanted. Unfortunately, the arm rests/​cup holders do not lift up.
They accept credit cards for movie tickets and concessions purchases.
The bathrooms could use a little update but I love the little vanity area there. Very retro and glamorous.
I think I would choose this theater over the one next to CPK. Fremont has strong character, friendly staff, and overall, cleaner.