About Us

The historic Grand Lake Theater has been designated as one of the top ten vintage theaters in the nation. Located in the lovely Grand/Lakeshore District, the surrounding neighborhood offers a tremendous variety of dining options. Winner of the East Bay Express Reader Poll as the “Best Movie Theater” almost every year, it offers the Bay Area's best movie going experience at the lowest price.

 

(Theater Rental Inquiries)

Grand Lake Main Auditorium
Main Auditorium
Photo copyright: Tom Paiva 1991
Grand Lake Auditorium 3
Auditorium 3 - Egyptian 1920’s style
Photo copyright: Tom Paiva 1991
Grand Lake Auditorium 4
Auditorium 4 - Moorish style
Photo copyright: Tom Paiva 1991

See more beautiful photos of the Grand Lake Theater in the Photo Gallery.

The Historic Grand Lake Theater

In 1926, the Reid Brothers’ design for the Grand Lake Theater was completed for West Coast Theaters, Inc.

March 6, 1926 marked the grand opening of this Vaudeville Show and Silent Movie House. In 1928, West Coast Theaters, Inc. became part of the Fox Theater Chain. Vaudeville Shows were discontinued after talking pictures (known as ‘talkies’) became popular. In 1980, Allen Michaan, owner of Renaissance Rialto, Inc. purchased the ground lease, opening the theater as a single screen Movie Palace and beginning a process of restoration and upgrades that continues to this day. While currently all digital in the projection of movies the Grand Lake retains the capability of exhibiting 35mm and 70mm films when needed.

Two main expansions:

Expansion #1 - 1981 The main balcony seating was transformed into auditorium #2, which seats 450 patrons in a stadium seating configuration.

Expansion #2 - 1985 Storefronts along Grand Avenue were transformed into small movie palace themed auditoriums. They were connected to the main theater by enclosing an exterior alleyway which connects to the main lobby. Theater 3 was designed in an Egyptian atmospheric style and Theater 4 as a Moorish palace.

Now Playing

 

Love America's movie palaces?

Consider joining the Theatre Historical Society of America!

Theater Historical Society

WINNER! "BEST PLACE TO SEE A MOVIE"
2015- 2023 East Bay EXPRESS Readers' Poll
$7.50 Matinees for all shows before 5:45
(3D screenings included)

Admission is now $6 on Tuesdays

enter movie title


A Tribute to David Lynch

Special Double-Bills!
Friday FEB 7 - Wednesday FEB 12

R Restrictedassist deviceWurlitzer OrganDolby DigitalDigital Projection

Special Double-Bills!
Friday FEB 7 - Wednesday FEB 12

Tribute Schedule

Purchase Tickets Online

enter movie title

All-Star Movie Night: Hoops & Hip-Hop

(195 Minutes)

Wednesday Feb 12
5:00 to 8:15

The after-party will not be held at the Grand Lake Theater.
After-Party Venue: Root'd In The 510

Purchase Tickets Online

enter movie title

The Brutalist

(215 Minutes)

R Restrictedassist deviceDolby DigitalDigital Projection

FRI: 3:002*, 7:102*
SAT-SUN: 3:002*, 7:102*
MON-TUE: 3:002*, 7:102* Ends Tuesday
2* -Auditorium #2 is not wheelchair accessible

Purchase Tickets Online

Companion

Companion

(97 Minutes)

R Restrictedassist deviceDolby DigitalDigital Projection

FRI: 3:203, 5:203, 7:453, 9:303
SAT: 1:103, 3:203, 5:203, 7:453, 9:303
SUN: 1:103, 3:203, 5:203, 7:453
MON-TUE: 3:203, 5:203, 7:453
WED: 3:204, 5:204, 7:454
THUR: 4:004, 6:104 Ends tonight

Purchase Tickets Online

enter movie title

A Complete Unknown

(141 Minutes)

R Restrictedassist deviceDolby DigitalDigital Projection

FRI: 4:004, 7:004, 9:404
SAT: 1:004, 4:004, 7:004, 9:404
SUN: 1:004, 4:004, 7:004
MON-TUE: 4:004, 7:004
WED: 4:002*, 7:002*
THUR: 8:004
2* -Auditorium #2 is not wheelchair accessible

Purchase Tickets Online

Captain America: Brave New World

Captain America: Brave New World

(118 Minutes)

Rated PG-13assist deviceDolby DigitalDigital Projection

Shown in Digital 2D on 2 screens!

THUR 2/13:
main auditorium: 4:151, 7:151
shown upstairs: 6:002*, 8:352*
2* -Auditorium #2 is not wheelchair accessible

photosensitivity warning

Purchase Tickets Online

Paddington in Peru

Paddington in Peru

(106 Minutes)

Rated PGassist deviceDolby DigitalDigital Projection

THUR: 4:303, 6:453, 8:453

Purchase Tickets Online

Theater Info

510-452-3556
3200 Grand Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610

Directions & Parking

Admission Prices

Regular Features

Gen Adm $13
Child/Senior $9.50
Matinee $7.50
Discount Tuesday $6

About Ratings
Superscript text indicates theater number

3D Features

Gen Adm $14.50
Ch/Senr $11
Matinee $7.50
Discount Tuesday $6

About 3-D
DLP

The Grand Lake has a new discount policy: Tuesday is now “$6.00 Day”. All admissions are $6.00* each all day long. This includes 3-D features! (*Excluding Special Engagements) Our new discount policy now extends to matinee shows! All tickets for showtimes starting prior to 6pm are only $7.50, 3-D included! Every day!


Purchase Tickets Online

Wurlitzer Organ large

Mighty Wurlitzer Organ played before Friday and Saturday evening shows indicated in green in the Main Auditorium.
About Wurlitzer Organ

Sign up for our email newsletter

* indicates required

Stay informed.
We will send:

  • Weekly schedules
  • Special event notices
  • Special program notices
  • Printable offers and discounts

© Renaissance Rialto 2014
Site design by Andre Salcido Design