Below are places to find classic film screenings throughout California. If you know of a theater that screens classic films in California that is not included in this list email us at seeclassicfilms@gmail.com.
Bay Area
Cameras Cinema – San Jose
Cult Film Series
Noir City Film Festival – San Francisco
January 20-29 2017
Paramount Theater of the Arts – Oakland
Classic movie night includes newsreel, cartoon, previews, pipe organ intro before the 35mm screening
San Francisco Silent Film Festival – San Francisco
June 2017
Stanford Theater – Palo Alto
Only screens classic films
Chico
Chico Silent Film Festival
Annual silent film festival
Fremont
Niles Film Museum
Regularly screens classic films
Los Angeles Area
American Cinemateque – Hollywood
Regularly screens classic films
Arclight – Hollywood
Occasionally screens classic films
Autry National Center – Los Angeles
Regularly screens classic westerns
Cinecon – Hollywood
Classic film festival – Aug 31- Sept 4 2017
CineFamily – Los Angeles
Screens silent films on some Saturday nights
Hart Park and Museum – Newhall
Silents Under the Stars Annual Event – Aug 12 2017
Hollywood Heritage – Paramount Ranch
Silents Under the Stars – recurring
Los Angeles Museum or Art – Los Angeles
Tuesday matinee classic film screenings
Los Angeles Theater Organ Society – Los Angeles
Upcoming silent film screenings can be found on their events page
New Beverly Cinema – Los Angeles
Regularly screens classic films in 35mm
Nuart Theater – Los Angeles
Occasionally screens classic films
Old Town Music Hall – El Segundo
Regularly screens silent films with a pipe organ
Rooftop Cinema Club – Los Angeles
Regularly screens classic films
TCM Classic Film Festival – Hollywood
April 6 – 9 2017
UCLA Billy Wilder Theater – Los Angeles
Regularly screens classic films, including the Festival of Preservation (March 3-27 2017)
Lone Pine
Lone Pine Film Festival
last festival was Oct 7-9 2016
Palm Springs
Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival
May 11-14th 2017
Classic film screenings on this site are described broadly – if a theater screens a film made before 1990 even a few times a year they qualify. Film festivals that may occur in multiple theaters and film societies that produce classic film events are included in this list as well. You’ll also find many theaters that mostly screen current films but offer classic film screenings either during the summer or on a weekly basis.
When possible we try and highlight information such as if a theater is a restored movie palace, screens classic films regularly, screens silent films, hosts festivals, or has live musical accompaniments. We’re always happy to update our listing with updated information or include photos of venues. Contact us at seeclassicfilms@gmail.com for any update requests on our California classic film screenings page.
