Guild 45th Theatre

What a dump. I have been to many Landmark theaters and this is the first I’ve seen that is in need of such repair. The marquee is shattered, the building crumbling and the whole interior is beyond shabby. Yikes!

My friend and I go to the Guild quite often. Good movies, reasonable prices, friendly employees
and quick bus ride from Ballard.

As it was my first time at the Guild I was curious about how it really would be on the inside.
I mean the outside of the theatre is pretty cool, very old school.
The staff members were all really nice and helpful and I really like that they have the «free refill special» on large popcorn/​soda :)
The seats weren’t the most comfy my butt ever came in contact with but for one or two movies it’s okay. It is just nothing really special about it.
I don’t get the different prices (some films for 8 $, others 10,50 $ — just confusing) but I had a good time and can imagine coming back, so yeah why not =)

Kudo’s to the woman selling tickets, taking food orders and keeping her cool! There were a lot of people waiting for help and only 2 employees so they were stressed and still did a great job.

Classic venue and well worth the drive from from anywhere! A true period piece but with state of the art projection and sound.

One of the last theatres, if not THE last theatre, in Seattle to have a «crying room» where you can watch a movie with your baby or young child and not disturb the other patrons. It’s at the very back of the western theatre, next to the projection room, though you do access it from the main seating area. I was a little surprised to see there were only two adult chairs in there, and that there was barely enough room for our little one to walk around. So few people go to movies these days that I think they could probably get away with taking over the back couple of rows of the theatre and devoting them to families. Then again, so few people go to movies these days that that probably wouldn’t be worth the remodeling expense. You have your own speaker in the room. There didn’t appear to be volume control, although perhaps there was and we just couldn’t see because it was so dark. There IS a light, but it’s red so as to not disturb the other patrons.
It’s really great to have this sort of thing available, although it is only in one of the two Guild 45^th theatres so you don’t really have a choice as to what you’re going to go see.
As for the theatre itself, what can I say. It’s one of Seattle’s old movie houses. Hasn’t been updated in quite a while. Still part of the ever-​shrinking Landmark chain, I believe, so shows mainly art-​house films (we saw «Grandma» with Lily Tomlin and Marcia Gay Harden). A little bit cheaper than the downtown multiplexes. Parking can be difficult, though. Concessions are a bit limited, though if all you want is popcorn and soda you’ll be fine. They’re serving beer and cider now, which is interesting… I wonder if you have to consume those in the lobby. I didn’t bother to ask.
Glad it’s still there!

Love, love, love this theater! Went here w/​family and saw Grand Budapest, it was so much fun. This theater always has an amazing selection of movies and it’s so cute and old. It’s got a lot of character. Definitely coming here again!

I love the outside of the theater. It’s unique and a good place for a few photos. Parking is on the street but you can probably pretty easily find a free parking spot.
Tickets are $ 10.50, was a little surprised. I guess I was expecting $ 8.
The theater was semi-​comfortable. The seats are big and comfy and recline. Unfortunately they recline into the person behind you. There is just no room in front of you. Even if the person is not reclining your feet are jammed into the chair in front of you, and I’m short! When the person reclines it can actually hit your news. I saw one person with his legs hanging over the chair in front of him. I would have done that too if nobody was sitting in front of me. Luckily it was a good movie so it help distract me from my discomfort.

Great, cute, little theater with old school ambiance. Comfy chairs. I think tickets are cheaper than the larger theaters too.

We liked the theater itself-​old fashioned charm and comfortable seats-​and we enjoyed the movie playing right now. Only 2 stars because the staff was on the unfriendly side and moreso because there is so little parking in that neighborhood. We thought we finally found a spot, but because it was dark and we were rushing we didn’t see the sign that it required a special permit for residents, so we returned to a $ 52 parking ticket. Talk about unfriendly! Downer. We will never choose that theater again. Unless we’re in the neighborhood for dinner anyway and it works out or something.

In a word: dank. Hold your breath if you have to use the men’s toilet.
I can’t remember what movie we saw in the theater but I do remember the theater interior. Ceiling, walls, and floor all held together with tape and prayers.
I know Unilocal Elite members are expected to wax poetic in their reviews but I have nothing to offer. I want to support independent film but this place requires cleansing by fire. Whatever company or corporation owns this theatre, close it and take whatever time is necessary to completely renovate the space. Hire a priest if you must.

Old theater, parking was good when trying to find a spot during rush hour. Found a spot right in front of the theater.
Was in the blue building. I should have stuck to the seats right behind the walk way. When I was sitting in one of the «good seats», there was absolutely no leg room, and I’m barely 5′!! My poor husband at 6′ had to sit crooked just to be able to fit his legs. NOT ergo friendly!

This theater shows great films.
It totally smells weird in here… maybe some unscented air fresheners under the seats might help?
Also — there’s a weird light fixture that sticks out and makes a shadow on the screen.

Old, quaint movie theater. They have a couple of nice large screens and lots of seating. The popcorn is tasty and the beverages are quite expensive but that is how movie theaters survive.
I’ll definitely do my best to support a local movie theater but please please try to get the place to smell less moldy. People prone to allergies may not be happy there.

I don’t like to bag on a place that’s in my neighborhood — especially when so many places can’t boast about having their own movie theater nearby — but the Guild 45^th is starting to feel (and smell) more and more like a dive bar than a movie theater.
The décor/​carpets are terribly old — seats comfy — but because they’ve been sat on a while, the cushions soft — not because it’s really nice and cushy, like the Majestic Bay.
The screens are big, which is nice — you don’t get that in a multiplex anymore — but considering I pay the same amount to get in here as I do a newer theater, the Guild is usually a last resort, when I can’t be bothered to drive anywhere.

I’ve only seen one movie here but it was perfect. I love old theaters and Seattle has a good number of them. This one is right on 45^th in Wallingford, walking distance to coffee shops, ice cream and restaurants. They usually show one at any time but the staff are friendly and it is quaint and fun to go to a small theater. Great date place!

I want to give them more stars but I just can’t.
I’ve been to the Guild several times and each time I leave feeling like $ 10.50 was too much to spend on a movie there.
The theater is just so old and outdated and uncomfortable. Yes, I know that it’s a Landmark theater. I typically like the Landmark theaters. For example, the Harvard Exit is one of my favorite theaters.
The Guild is just so cramped in the auditoriums!
I just saw Lincoln here.
The movie was excellent and the audio quality was good but the discomfort was bad.
The person in front of me had their seat leaning back so their chair back was up against my knees. Mind you, I’m 5’3…I can only imagine how bad it would be for a taller person. Ugh. The chair back slammed back against my knees twice. It was awful.
This is the kind of thing that makes me want to curl up on my couch at home and stay in.
I only go to the Guild when someone else suggests it. Otherwise. I’d pick most any other theater. Sorry, Guild. Your employees are nice and I support the Landmark theaters. I just can’t take the outdated, cramped experience.

We left our restaurant at 6pm for the short stroll to the theater. A true neighborhood theater that everyone from the grandparents to the grand kids attend. So much nostalgia here it just took us away in time. I truly enjoyed the family atmosphere.
We reserved an entire row and we all took our selves away 200 years ago back to the civil war. An outstanding film that will be heralded with best picture and actor awards. An American masterpiece by Spielberg. A truly memorable night with the foodie gang.
Thank you all for coming ! We will do dinner and movie again!

I love nostalgic-​vintagey theaters and you can’r get anymore closer than Guild.
Its a theater for a different person who can go pass the multi-​mega plex and enjoys reviving something more simpler.
Sure the interior is old, but whatever its dark how its suppose to be. Nonetheless the place is kept pretty clean. Only downside is parking. Being on the main drag of 45^th, best of luck trying to get parking nearby for more than 2hrs. Best bet is to grab a spot in the residential areas close off.

A Unilocal Valentine:
Sometimes you just have to send out some love…
THANK YOU to Bryan and Ashley
for helping me when the on-​line ticket service tried to mess me up on an order of ELEVEN tickets. Brian was crazy busy (Moonrise Kingdom opening weekend!), but he quickly helped me sort out my problem and not lose a ton of money. Ashley was so helpful and kind in helping sort out the mess — a friendly, listening ear when I was slightly panicked. Thank you for being nice people that were so easy to work with… viva small theatres… and…
MUCH LOVE TO THE GUILD 45TH STAFF!!!
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OK, I’ve got a good one for you: this is the theatre I went to as a little girl to see Yellow Submarine. I hate Yellow Submarine. I hate the Blue Meanies. It scared the crap out of me. I was pretty little — but I won’t hold that against the Guild!
Thank goodness for the surviving indy film houses in Seattle. Yes, the seats might hurt your knees if you’re tall. On the flip side, when they re-​did the seats in the 90’s they arranged them arena style so everyone can see.
Yes, movie bathrooms can be cruddy… especially old ones. Well, I don’t mind as long as it’s tidy.
The lobbies are cute… so old school, so tiny.
Indy movie lovers and old film buffs will appreciate the patina of the Guild!