Reviews of Landmark's Ken Cinema (Movie Theater)

aileen creates

A real authentic movie theater, great for the classic films it shows

Dominic Mangiapane

Love this place! Classic theater, old movies, cult classics, can't get better than this. Go to their midnight madness!!!

Josh Gardner

I love this Theatre so much

Max Sanchez

Had a great time watching the midnight screening of the room. Spoons were flying, expletives were said, and there was smiles all about. Popcorn was a little expensive and would suggest to just skip on that.

Sharen Gibson

Love this place! Old school theater where the guy in the box office also cleans the theater. Seats are very comfortable and lots of leg room. The variety of films is amazing. It is a local neighborhood theater so parking can be challenging but well worth it!

Victor Santiago

Beauty teather. Keeping old nice shape

J R

Some places look like cathedrals. Not this one! They're not trying to impress you with bright lights, high ceilings and golden door handles, just with great films! I'll be back, without a doubt.

Curtis Cravy

Kinda old and dumpy but I kinda dig that about it. It's good to be able to step back in time 40 years and watch spaceballs or the princess bride or whatever old movie they're playing.

Carol Kelly

The best....

Yesenia Yanez

Great selection of independent films

Jacob Salisbury

Love this cozy little old fashioned movie theater, the movie selections are always top quality

April Reynolds

Small local cinema. Very old school feel.

Travis Shawn Hill

Though I thoroughly enjoyed the movie I saw here, I have to say I wasn't too impressed with the theater itself. No A/C meant I was quite warm throughout the show, and the sound was terrible. I couldn't hear some portions of the movie from halfway back in the theater. While it's cute and quaint, I wouldn't recommend going for a quality moviegoing experience.

C Sykes

Love this place. This is where I started my Kurosawa addiction and it's one of the last single-screen neighborhood theaters around.

Chad Murray

Movies, movies, movies baby.... Just movies

Vicky Kern

Went to Rocky Horror Picture Show. It plays on the 2nd Saturday of every month. The Ken theatre is awesome - shows some classic movies, some foreign, some independent. It is old with old style seats and construction. It's not a stadium and no recliners. There is a concession stand although I didn't get anything and FREE water with cups out.

Stephen Marler

The place to go for "The Room" or RHPS, both of which they show every month. Most months they show a Miyazaki film. The Ken frequently introduces me to fresh and unusual foreign and independent films. I have often seen a film here which i had never even heard of at all, and i've never been disappointed. Real butter on the popcorn, and self-serve flavoring powders! Try them all!

Luke Bach

In a city full of great movie theater options, Ken Cinema is far and away the one the consistently feels the most special. A single screen theater, with a focus on new indie releases along with repertory cinema classics. The staff is always friendly, the concessions are reasonably priced, and the films they program are some of the best you’ll get to see in the city.

James Udan

RHPS every third Saturday of the month. No dedicated parking in a very competitive parking neighborhood. Great location for an older neighborhood single seat theater, which show a unique blend of movies one doesn't find shown at the more modern multiplex.

Bran Stark

Really great place to watch Arthouse or cult classics with a huge crowd. Staff is really nice. There's only 1 auditorium and it's huge. Saw Shrek and now plan to attend more. The quality is really nice and sound is great.

Shirley Schoeneck

The Ken! We love you. Great theater in a charming neighborhood with lots of places to have a bite before your movie starts!

Hannah DeNoble

Lovely older theatre and really tasty popcorn.

Rosalinda Torres

Good theatre, different popcorn choices and reasonable prices

Gregory Main

BEST PLACE IN SD FOR ART HOUSE FILM. MANAGEMENT AND STAFF ARE AMAZING PEOPLE. MAKES THE EXPERIENCE EVEN BETTER. THANK YOU

Jessica Leyva

I love how they will play classics as well as independent films. The bathrooms are kind of small but it's an old theatre, if I wanted fancy I'd go to The Lot. But I want classic all. They do the midnight madness of Rocky Horror Picture Show which I have yet to attend but I can definitely tell it would be fun. Staff is nice and friendly. A great intimate theater.

Nick Steffl

My favorite theater in San Diego. Cozy vibe, preserved building. Saw the nominated short animated films here last week, what a great experience.

Jackie Rubio

Really takes me back to my childhood. I enjoy going and watching some movies I may have not been able to see in the big screen. Price is like $9 and the seats aren't too comfortable but I like the vibe.

Nicole Coy

A great place to see a movie! This is a little bit of a historic place and as soon as you walk into the theatre, you can feel it. A very cool place!

Steve Azer

Always a classic movie or event playing here. It's a San Diego landmark. Got to come at least once. They don't build movie theaters like this anymore. Leave some time to find street parking.

Taylor Ingalls

I love the Ken! I'm so happy that there is a theater in San Diego showing film classics.

Daniel Reed

2019/08/29. -1star for staff lied & no resolution. Reply to Landmark's Ken Cinema owner. Your staff is incorrect, their memory is wrong. I initiated the idea of storing my food (I proposed resolutions), the staff did not offer to store my food; both staff refused to store my food after I asked both (manager & staff at the counter; they said no or did not want the responsibility). Seems staff memory confused the source of idea of food storage. It was my idea, not theirs. Both staff members refused to store food when I asked both. According to them, it is not the movie theater policy to provide storage for food, & so neither choose to store it for me, since would be personal choice & responsibility. I missed the single event with the special guest. I rescheduled my day, including attending movie at another movie theater. For Ken Cinema, you lost revenue/income, attendance, & a regular consumer. Unless you change or relax policy, & let me attend. -- On 2019/08/25, Ken Cinema staff refused to let me in to a special movie & event, because of water & a few snack food bars I carry with me everywhere I go (I don't have car for storage, I use public transit or ride share). Strict on policy. They provided no solutions or accommodations, like storage (lockers with locks?). I normally carry some drinks or food with me. Many people do. I'm not going to change that practice, due to life experience & the advantages/pros. So, I went to another movie theater, after, & attended a movie, even got a hot dog, since they have some food similar enough to what I prefer. (I can hardly afford the highly inflated food prices.). So the result, I guess I'm excluded now. Goodbye Ken Cinema. Thanks for all the years of specialty movies & events. Especially the opportunity to see some of my preferred/favorite movies on the movie theater big screen, sometimes my 1st time experiencing in movie theater. I recently saved many future events, under Facebook & my calendar (from listings on their Website). I guess I won't be allowed to attend. I suggest you change the policy, or even relax on enforcement, like many other local movie theaters (who are trying to keep or increase attendance, in recent era of many growing alternatives). Is the loss of income/revenue, attendance, & regular consumers really worth it (the policy)? I'll just continue attending my other regular preferred/favorite movie theaters. (I will miss the opportunity to experience at this theater, some of my preferred/favorite (sci-fi) movies & special events & Rocky Horror. I'm practicing detaching & letting go, more effectively over time. I have several other local movie theaters on my list for this purpose, anyway. Loss of Ken Cinema just reduces the amount of specialty movies & events available.). I paid for the movie, almost went in, then staff asked if I want anything else. I considered some chocolate bars that seemed may match my preferences. Then staff said no outside food. I tried to save things & proposed solutions & acommodations; all refused. Policy strictly enforced with no adaptive accommodations. I refused to get rid of my food, so won't be wasted. Plus I have special diet that is hard to find foods that fit, so I carry with me. So only agreed solution was refund of ticket. No attendance, no revenue, & I missed the special guest event. Also, I may get food at theater during movies, if you had something close to my preferences or food diet, more like substantial whole food. Food seems high carbohydrate (except popcorn & nacho chips with cheese, but I don't like the popcorn or chips). I can hardly afford the greatly inflated prices of food at movie theaters; I usually try to get 1 thing to help out, but it must be something similar to what I would eat (hotdog is most common substantial whole food like item I find at most theaters; some have introduced other food items like sandwiches; I often get that.).

Jesse Clark

Love the old time movie experience.

Trish A.

The theatre was kept clean but could use more light at the lobby. Overall a great experience.

Greg Main

Great theater still operating from films golden age. Current managers doing a great job managing and caring for this classic cinema.Great Art house for Documentary,foreign films & Classic's from the past. A Great combination. Plus midnight movies weekly on Saturdays. A five star experience always!

Dizzy Order

Cheap nastalgic some cool movies

Henry B

Great films, renovated interiors, very comfortable. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Prices have gone up a bit, but it's worth it.

Ali Dellger

Old school theater with great films

Kamal Kyrala

Love this theater! Plays lots of independent films you can't see elsewhere.

R. Adler

This is a friendly, affordable neighborhood theatre. Parking is not an issue if you give yourself time to walk up to a couple of blocks. The screen is large, sound system good quality. Seats are a little old but soft. Support this wonderful local theater that provides some good alternative and/or retro movies!!

Anais M

I love the indie menu of film at the Ken and even the theater's very old school vibe but the bathrooms literally are size 2 when the world is a size 12 to 14! Lol

Jesse Tait

Cheap movies, pricey snacks....

Tony Le

Nice little niche theater. Nothing fancy, but they offer some special showings which you don't normally find at the big theaters.

Russ Schnapp

San Diego's last single-screen theater. Long live The Ken!

Steve Hernandez

This is a cute little theatre with affordable movies. Check out their movie schedule for movies. They do alot of reruns and special events as well.

Mike D

Sometimes old is better.

Brandon Cruikshank

I love Ken Cinema. A nice historic gem in the Kennington Area of San Diego located near North Park and Close to San Diego State. Here where they play classic films to Cult classics like Rocky Horror picture show and Tommy Wiseau's The Room to current indepent films that would be an Oscars winner.

monica lopez

Love this theatre. Midnight shows are the best.

Jered Pettigrew

Yeah at first it seems great. Simple environment. Small one screen venue. Wich is cool. Showing blade of the immortal movie. Super sweet right. Trailers before the movie are bizzare. 2 indie propaganda films about bigone femenism. Mmk whatever. 2 more trailers both love stories about two dudes. One about aids. Waiting for trailers for things people actualy watch.....nope straight to the movie. So ya know show up a little late for your movie

Jane Hatkow

The Ken Theater shows unique & classic films. Today we enjoyed seing Pick of the Litter. It shows what it takes to make a Guide Dog. Stages go from whelping, nursery, puppy raiser & on to canine college. Kensington is an interesting neighborhood with coffee shops, Stehly Market & Deli ( same avocado & citrus grower) who have goid salads & entrees, Craft Breweries, Sushi, nice Gift Shops, Quality Pet Store nearby.

Christopher Corbett-Fiacco

I've been going to movies for 35 yrs -- 20 of them in San Diego & many many at the Ken -- and foreign and a few 'art films' now and then have always been 'my cup of coffee' -- but it's either that these days the offerings at the Ken are getting to be more esoteric and more 'foreign' than foreign, or that I'm just getting older and have seen the same style of movies before and before. The Rocky Horror Picture Show and occasional old movies are fun BUT I SUGGEST MORE Classic Films and fun old stuff such as "Gone With The Wind" - "To Kill A Mockingbird" - "All About Eve" - 'Psycho' and 'The Birds' and a terrific Halloween Night or Weekend double-feature 'Whatever Happened To Baby Jane' and 'Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte' -- the first is a hoot and the second is a very well done Gothic Thriller -- There is an audience who'd love to see these movies on the big screen because they never have before. Thanks.

Elisa mena

Love coming here the seats are comfortable! I love their white chocolate strawberry candy and they have beer!

Christine Taylor

Great place. Popcorn was really good.

darren makaila

Was a great experience to go to an old theatre. The smell of history. Went to see rocky horror picture show. Best ever thanks to the cast.

Corvair Scott

Saw "The Thing" lots of people there for a Saturday midnight showing of an old 80s movie!

Steele Severson

Amazing place for retro, foreign, and cult films. The #1 place to see The Room in SD. Popcorn is always stellar and the Italian sodas are a nice twist on the usual.

Baltazar Abrego

Cool old school cinema.

Carolynn Crooks Mueller

This is a great local theater. Last single screen theater in San Diego. It's like stepping back in time. They show great indies and foreign films.

Ruben Martinez

Really needs new seats, but love their movie showings, sometimes.

Arta Barzanji

Fantastic selection of films that are hard to catch on the big screen elsewhere.

Robert Petersen

A great neighborhood art house cinema. Midnight movies are not to be missed.

Anthony Rosa

Love this place, old style theater with great films, great price and they show the Oscar nominated short films every year.

chris harris

It was a lot of fun.

Mason Zedaker

A great theater for off beat and foreign films. Even better are their Midnight At there best during their Saturday midnight shows, which feature either cult cinema like the Room and Rocky Horror, or classic pop-culture films from the 80s and 90s (and probably early 2000s sometimes too). Not the cleanest or most up to date building in the world, but they've got a great niche.

Melinda Mariano

Fun movie house

Erik B. Anderson

I love that it's a quiet little art house theater that plays lots and new and vintage really interesting independent and foreign films. The midnight films are cool, except the Rocky Horror Picture Show. The actors are loud, boorish, intrusive and downright frightening. That is not to say that most productions of RHPS are no good. It's a rite of passage for most young people to do the time warp at the late night, double feature, picture show. Wo oh oh oh. Just not this one. It's bloody awful. You have been warned.

wa ja

The Ken is a san diego landmark. A must visit. It shows the best foreign, claasic and independent films. Just being in this historic theater is a treat. The early show is like 6.50. Treats are cheap. Total fun vibe. Oh! And every 3rd saturday they show rocky horror picture show...with a cast. A must see especially if young or new to rocky horror. Love this place!

Stella Ingram

Love this place. They have regular showings of niche movies but they also show movies that don't normally make it to big box offices. If you have the option of going here I highly recommend it simply for the old fashioned movie theater smell. Delightful.

Larry Sopher

3 stars for the theater. The woman at the counter was spacey. She didn't listen to the guy in front of me. He wanted 1 ticket at a senior discount and charged him 19 dollar! He said that's not a discount. She charged him for a ticket and a senior ticket thinking he was paying for me too. She wasn't paying attention.

Stephen Guiland

A Landmark Cinema with great films

Juan Lopez

Saw the room got to meet tommy himself and gave him flowers. great guy.

Eric Allen

very excellent

Gregory Mathews

Great place to see old movies

Douglas Davies

Best theater in SD. Where else can you catch Repo Man, Grace Jones and a Bergman retrospective? Love this place!

Kat Rivera

A hidden gem!

Gabriel Turner

The Ken theater is one of the best features about living in Normal heights and Kensington. I love that they play the off beat films. If you haven't been it's a great spot for an intimate setting, very old school.

V Bars

Cozy and unique!

L H

Comfortable antiquish theater from the 30s I believe. Great spot to go for indie films and weekly saturday midnight flicks. Good crowd usually shows up. Find out their lineup on Facebook ahead of time

Martin C

The only place I know that screens movies like Alien, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and The Godfather (alongside a lot of foreign and indie films). I hope this place never goes away. Headed here to see Pan’s Labyrinth on Sunday.

Scott Noel

Landmark is right. This place has been here forever and for good reason. Awesome balance of first run indies and old cult films.

Craig Kozeluh

Great theater, better concessions than most, we come here for the midnight movies.

Eric W. Brittain

A wonderful place to see non-mainstream films.

Fxn2LuvQ

RHPS forever! Love the cast!

Ric .

Old, quaint, one of the last neighborhood theaters left! Worth visiting for the indie films.

Brenda

Moved away from this neighborhood a long time ago, but decided to go back and see a movie this weekend. Still a great place to catch a movie that the mainstream theaters aren't showing. So fun to walk in and buy your ticket and popcorn at the same time from the same girl. Oh, and the popcorn is the best in town. Will definitely go again. Prices have gone up but it's to be expected. Hope they keep this place running for long time.

Karen Shields

Great spot for some cult classics.

DR Carlson

This theatre is a wonderful reminder of the golden age of cinema. It is the last theater remaining in San Diego which used reel-to-reel carbon arc projectors, now on display in the lobby. The program features classics and foreign films. This is the only place I've found that shows the Oscar nominated short films. There is a concessions area with warm drinks and snakcs; of the three popcorn sizes the large comes with free refill. They also offer senior discount for tickets.

Marques F

Good spot to catch classic cinema.

Shelby Dubbs

I've only been twice for the midnight showings for the room but it's a decent little theater. the bathrooms are ridiculously small.

Robin Lockney

Watched Rocky Horror Picture Show. Lots of fun

Autumn Sandeen

Interesting, independent movies, and great Saturday midnight shows of classic movies. Great, old school popcorn too.

Quito Barajas

Going to the landmark is always a treat. They play movies that you'll never get to see in the theaters here in around town wherever that may be for you. They have the breadwinner Suspiria and other Timeless cult classics that true fans and Believers come to see like the room or Spaceballs or even Rocky Horror Picture Show. Supporting this small movie theater business and you'll see a lot more of what you want at the movies rather than what corporate movie theaters put out for you to see. Be in control of Cinema.

thereallyaud1

This theater is pretty neat. It's got an old fashioned feel to it. I will definitely return!

Elias Ayres

Love the old movie showings but the theater gets hot and stuffy

Bj Williston

My favorite theatre in SD. It is OLD school. One huge theatre. Great shows from independent filmmakers. My favorites are the Oscar Nominated Shorts (Live action and animated). Love the neighborhood where there is always a short walk from parking to the theatre. The popcorn is the best. Bathroom is an experience. All it all it is a place I look forward to going to.

Nick Cornell

There were spoons everywhere! Very fun experience.

Kara Thrace

This theater really knows its community! I love how they do screenings of "The Room" and Tommy actually came by, signing autographs and answering questions after the movie. They make a damn good italian soda and dig up some great finds. Love that they showed the Korean film "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly". Parking can be a bit of a pain, but it's definitely worth it.

Jeff Ross

Great Old time Theatre. Don't get stuck behind somebody that's too tall as there is no Theatre seating. Wish we had an indie theater in the north county!

Rebecca Byrnes

To the late night Double Feature Picture Show. I want to go. Oooooooo. The cast for Rocky Horror Picture Show here was top notch! They made the theater come alive with laughter and punny shouts! I suggest going if you know what you are getting into. And even more so if you don't! Don't Dream it. Be it.