Went this past weekend to see Thunderbolts. Just a great experience. Wish more people would take advantage of this local gem!

A vintage, nostalgic venue with beautiful outdoor surroundings supported by a great community of warm kind people! They're Very supportive of local bands, and vendors and continue to 'update' on the latest mist popular Movies showings, & other festivities read more

Great place for movies. Went for western Wednesday and once Young Guns had played we got a bonus Young Guns 2. Management LOVES film and we should all support them. Go see the Joker. read more

What a gem this place is. Funky, friendly, and good prices. This spot is a perfect night out on the river. They play movies that have been out a month or so... which is perfect for me. They have a great snack bar... great prices and a super selection... they even have veggie dogs! The place is like an old bunker or something. No heat, so bring your blankets or Snuggie's in the winter time. If you forget, you can use one of their many blankets to keep warm. The seating is decent and there is plenty of room for wheelchairs. I love that with just twenty bucks you can take a date to this spot and see a movie, get some popcorn and soda. The folks that own this place are great fun and friendly. read more

This old-fashioned theatre is worth stopping in town if only to check out the vintage hand-painted movie posters. On either side of the box office you can get your picture taken with E.T., Grease, or The Birds characters as in their original posters. Very cute! read more

Monte Rio Theater & Extravaganza - Cinema Near Me - Monte Rio, California

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Didn't get a chance to watch a movie here, but this pleasant rustic quonset hut of a theater looks like a relaxing place to watch a second-run movie. The prices are relatively cheap, and guy I met walking his dog outside, who I believe is one of the owners, was friendly and interested in making the theater work. If I remember our conversation correctly, this theater has had the same owners for 14 years. Behind the theater (part of the same building) is Don's Dogs - a friendly little cafe. read more

Hey guys!!!! Will anyone SAVE this place?? Monte Rio Theater is in trouble... Please know its in HUGE risk of closing. If there is any of you that might be good at SEO or anything to help this place, please do. The Monte Rio Theater is a historical icon for the town of Monte Rio, California. Inside the Quonset hut is a theater, screen and stage and of course condiment area. Old photos line the walls and old original furniture are set in a Victorian array of layout. Tracing outside the building is a river and bridge, a sleepy little town and quaint Victorian neighborhood. read more

Don's Dogs, which is part of the backside of the theatre, rocks. The Cardiac Dog is to die for, bacon, cheese with an excellent dog grilled to perfection. Go there soon as they are trying to sell their business and retire I think. We do plan on trying the theatre as it has great reviews and looks cool. read more

Spent the weekend in the Russian River visiting friends at their new home. During my stay, they suggested we drive to Villa Grande to the Rio Theater (to see "Resident Evil: Afterlife) and what an amazing theater. It's a former military bunker from the looks of things, but once inside, it's a real treat. A medium popcorn with butter and medium drink were $5.25!!!! The ladies working behind the counter were super friendly. Seats were comfortable and there was a ton of old world charm to this place. If/when you get the chance, take a trip to see a movie here. It's well worth it! read more

Alas, this place has been closed since the flood. Before the flood they rarely showed anything. They are now trying to GoFundMe to "reopen". If they were open before I might donate. They formerly showed movies and it was great fun. The new owners seem to only be in interested in parties for their friends or "rehearsal" dinners for out-of-town-ers. What a great loss. read more

The Rio theater It's not the Plantagenet, the Sundance Kabuki, the Roxy or the Loew's Paradise in the Bronx but the Rio Theater in bustling, enigmatic downtown Monte Rio may be one of the coolest theaters in the world. Currently owned by a consortium of two dozen adventurous and imaginative people, it has captured the hearts and affection of both locals and travelers alike. Saved by a Kickstarter campaign (required for new studio mandated equipment) the tinny but warmly hospitable Quonset hut with an Internationally-recognized work of art (Christo's Fence) as a ceiling cover and walls splashed with original murals of relative importance, the theater not only shows first run films at affordable prices, but reaches out to the community in unique way designed to serve the community rather than put more money in the owners' pockets. The special events such as Oscar night with the live broadcast in HD on the Rio's clean and bright screen (free admission, free popcorn, real food available, a raffle and folks in costumes), World Cup soccer, award winning indie films and Rocky Horror make for interaction that adds a whole new dimension to movie-going that's welcome by everyone. The latest thrill was inviting whomever to watch the World Series in all its enormity and clarity for FREE. All the games were broadcast live via satellite TV and being able to watch 40-foot-high players and see all the instant replays and assorted camera angles was much better than having $12 ballpark beers spilled on you and trying to watch and hear it in person. By the seventh game the strongly partisan crowd whooped and hollered, jumped up and down and gnawed on comestibles, carried on and visited with friends and neighbors, brought the kids and availed themselves of the huge parking lot across the street. High-fives, passionate hugs and raging delight followed the Giants' victory and most attendees were home within fifteen minutes of the game ending. This is indeed a group of folks which pays attention to input, strives to improve the theater-going experience and cares for those who seek affordable fun, comfort and convenience. Bless all the owners, thanks to them for this wonderful gift, and long may the salvaged antique that is the Rio Theater, wave. I read more

Good news! The theater has new owners. A new name.( The Rio Theater & Cafe). They upgraded to digital so they can stay open and have newer movies. The cafe has an updated menu. The are now open for early dinner on Sat. (4-7) for Dinner and a Movie with live music! read more

this is a very rare and special Theater, i have seen people come in here with a backpack and they pulled out a whole chicken and ate it behind me the place smelled like a pick nick out side but yet inside, you never no who will sit next to you and that is half the magic always a pleasure read more

The Rio Theater is a magical space in Monte Rio, both unique and iconic. We were so happy to host our rehearsal dinner on the lawn and later invite our wedding guests for a private movie screening of the "Princess Bride" inside the theater. The owner Demot, was incredibly kind and easy to work with. Months before our wedding weekend he personally gave us a tour of the theater and the grounds and helped us imagine how we could host a pre-wedding celebration in the space. We were even able to take over the movie marquee and customize it with a celebratory wedding message for all our guests to see! He also connected us with Alain and Paul the operators of the Rio Take 2 Cafe just behind the theater. Paul and Alain catered and incredible picnic style grill out for close to 70 guests. Our guests couldn't stop talking about the delicious homemade Meyer lemon ice cream served at the end of the meal. We highly recommend both the Rio Theater and Rio Cafe Take 2 for anyone looking to throw a fun party along the beautiful Russian River! read more

Monte Rio Theater & Extravaganza - Cinema Near Me - Monte Rio, California

More than just a movie, it is an experience. Prices are good too. The only theater I have been in that has "Good Tasting" nutritional yest to sprinkle on you popcorn. Yum! Tip dress appropriately for the weather, the metal quonset hut is too big to heat or cool. read more

This place is great! $5 admission for every person all the time, and the candy, popcorn, soda, and other sundries are much more reasonable than big chain theaters. It's in an old quonset hut with a really cool mural lining the interior side walls. It can get chilly in the wintertime but they have soft wool blankets too! This is a local gem, a real Mom and Pop place that's been owned and run by Don & Suzi for almost 20 years! And the hot dogs are AMAZING! They serve steamed quarter-pound dogs and they even have polish dogs, chicken-apple sausages, cajun hot links, and warmed sauerkraut if you like it. The cafe around back is open for food and coffee during the day, and the theater is open in the evenings. I would make a point to check this place out and get a dog if you're at the Russian River! read more

If Guy Fieri doesn't feature Don's Dogs on his Food Network show, "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives", I'm canceling the program for viewing! Suzi and Don do a wonderful job with their entrees, especially their Cardiac Dogs and Cardiac burgers (as already noted below, they are to die for!)! But there's lots more on the menu, and very reasonably priced. Take a look at the grill. You won't find one like it anywhere in the world! read more

We had our wedding rehearsal dinner at the Rio last summer. It wasn't exactly your traditional rehearsal; we screened the movie Caddy Shack and had all our guests come by dressed as characters from the movie. It was super fun, and thanks to the Rio and its staff, the night was as memorable as our wedding night. The grounds are great for a big event. The cafe in the back accommodated a big barbeque for everyone, and there was lots of room to roam. The theater itself is beautifully appointed inside, and having it all to ourselves was a treat. The new owners were incredible, helpful every step of the way. They are truly reestablishing the Rio as a central meeting place for the Monte Rio community. read more

Theater is unique and feels like a big tent from the inside. It was pretty chilly but wool blankets are supplied by the friendly staff. Don't expect comfortable modern chairs. Felt great to support a local business. Resident dog seals the deal. Yeast sprinkles for my popcorn was definitely worth trying. read more

Whenever we're in Bodega Bay, we try to make a stop by the Rio Theatre to watch a movie and enjoy the unique ambience of this theatre. The murals painted on the inside walls of the theatre, the comfy seats, decent surround sound quality, the food, and the friendly staff always keep us coming back. It's just a lovely, quirky slice of life in the middle of nowhere, U.S.A. and we love it! read more

The only movie theater within miles of anywhere up there, the Rio Theater is a real gem. We always recommend it to folks renting our Monte Rio cabin. It's not super comfy with stadium style seats, but the $5 price is right and they show first run films. Good snacks, reasonably priced...we love the little size popcorn that is just perfect. COLD during the fall and winter months, but blankets are provided :) Still, wear your long underwear, hat and gloves. And try their hot apple cider. If you're around at lunch, try a hotdog at Don's Dogs and play ball with Murphy the chocolate lab. Owners Suzi and Don make you feel right at home. read more

Fantastic small-town feel in a small town! Great dogs and snacks. Newly revamped insides make it a pleasure to watch a movie or take part in one of their special events. Decent sound and friendly staff. read more

A fun evening at this old theater! The interior of the place could certainly use a bit of freshening up, but it is a fun little place in a rather remote area for a movie theater. The prices for snacks and sodas are a bit more reasonable than a movie at the local mega plex. Another plus is there is typically one, yes only one preview!!! Check out a movie here if your up in the Russian River area and have time. read more

Please Help!! My friend's phone (a Blackberry) went missing at the Rocky Horror Picture Showing last weekend. We were contacted by someone (707 543 1293) who said they had the phone, but then they went of communication with us. If you recognize the number (707 543 1293) please help us get in touch with them so we can get my friend's phone back. To us it seems extremely weird that someone would tell us they have the phone and then go silent and keep it for over a week. Please contact Matt at 703 431 0753 Thank you so much for any help!! read more

Ate at the Cafe here, great burgers and shredded pork sandwiches. Service was great and very friendly. Thanks.

Skip this, try blockbuster for better service! Worst customer service ever! Don is so rude i will never support his shady business! Food was poor quality. Theater is freezing in winter, don't bother. read more

hard to believe that there are only two reviews of this epic quonset hut. chicken sausages are excellent, but no beer, so you'll have to sneak it in yourself. read more

Featured in AAA's "Via" Magazine in 2008, the Rio Theater delivers a unique, friendly, small town experience to movie lovers. It's located in a quonset hut decorated with murals of movie scenes and local scenery painted by a talented local (former) teenager 20 years ago. Many local and vacationing families have enjoyed movies here for several generations.The Rio has the BEST movie snack bar EVER, with gourmet hot dogs, boca (veggie) burgers, mini-pizzas, popcorn with real butter (not that crappy butter-flavoring stuff), juice, lemonade, soda, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, beer, wine, & (best of all, as far as my daughter's concerned) an assortment of candies, including 13 sour gummi worms for $1. My family & I like to go early sometimes so we can grab a bite to eat & sit outside on their nice deck (where you can also have breakfast, lunch and coffee, weather permitting). Some quick caveats: (1) If it's cold outside, dress warmly & sit in the middle rows; & (2) If your aesthetic movie enjoyment requires peace and quite, avoid the matinees -- they can get a bit wild! read more