River Oaks Theatre, Art Deco movie theater in River Oaks, Houston, United States.
River Oaks Theatre is a movie house with a main auditorium decorated with detailed Art Deco elements from the 1930s and equipped with modern audio systems. The room seats about 200 people and was renovated to preserve the original architecture while adding a smaller 50-seat screening room upstairs.
The building opened as a theater in 1939 and operated for over eight decades despite facing multiple closure threats. A major renovation in the early 2020s saved the structure and reopened it for a new chapter of operation.
The theater shows films you won't find in typical multiplexes, including independent productions and movies from around the world. This programming makes it an important gathering place for film enthusiasts in Houston seeking alternatives to mainstream cinema.
The location is easy to reach in a popular neighborhood with shops and cafes nearby. The venue also has a restaurant with seating directly in the theater, so you can enjoy food while watching a movie.
The building sat unused as a theater for many years before it was restored in the 2020s. This long closure made its reopening a special moment for many Houston residents, as a classic gathering place returned to life.
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