The Bay Theatre

127

571

558

2 months ago

Once upon a time, this Faerie Queen was excited to see the summer line-up for this historic theater. Looking forward to watching some great movies in this beautiful venue. The end. read more

The Bay Theatre - The historic, Bay Theater in Seal Beach, Ca. - Cinema Near Me - Seal Beach, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Joanne J.

67

321

1959

5 months ago

New bay theater in seal beach. Great place to see a show. Very be intimate theater. read more

The Bay Theatre - Inside - Cinema Near Me - Seal Beach, California

The Bay Theatre - Steve Forbert - Cinema Near Me - Seal Beach, California

The Bay Theatre - Cinema Near Me - Seal Beach, California

The Bay Theatre - Steve - Cinema Near Me - Seal Beach, California

The Bay Theatre - Concessions - Cinema Near Me - Seal Beach, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jeannie M.

43

103

365

6 months ago

Terrific art deco decor with a wide variety of films with a local vibe that is friendly and laid back. Snacks are reasonably priced and the popcorn is yummy! read more

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Christopher T.

Elite 26 All-Star

51

1545

9843

10 months ago

Stopped by to pick up tix for tonight screening. This place is icon for Seal Beach. They had been renewal inside and outside for years and it finally done within the last yr or so. The outside got a facelift and better entrance. Inside, the hallway is small but cute and bright, plus the room is cozy and intimated for a cabaret show. Love it here. This would be my 2nd time and definitely not the last either. read more

The Bay Theatre - Outside - Cinema Near Me - Seal Beach, California

Helpful 2

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Hank W.

60

131

155

1 year ago

The Bay Theater is back! Seats are plush, fresh and painted. Super clean inside, just so polished, all classic and tidy. The staff at the door was friendly and pro. Everyone should get here and come see a unique artsy movie or band. The movie we saw, was an independent baseball movie named Eephus - and it was a pretty cool movie. read more

The Bay Theatre - The Bay Theater is super pro and re-opened! - Cinema Near Me - Seal Beach, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 2

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Janine D.

221

549

2785

1 year ago

So exciting!! The Bay Theatre is finally re-opened!!! After years of waiting for the restoration to be completed, it is finally open to the public. I was there for a private fundraising event, featuring a film about Lucy and Desi Arnez, presented by their daughter, Lucie. The theater is beautiful, retaining its original vintage charm. The equipment is all state of the art. There is a schedule of upcoming films on the website and the theater is available to be rented out for private events (stage events or films) Go for a fun evening of entertainment and nostalgia!! read more

The Bay Theatre - Beautiful ceiling fixtures - Cinema Near Me - Seal Beach, California

See all

Helpful 2

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Robert F.

1

58

79

8 months ago

Originally opened in 1945, the Bay Theatre has been lovingly restored and reopened - gleaming even brighter now than it did on its grand debut oh so very long ago! Paul and Nikki Dunlap have truly outdone themselves - and considering that Paul is the visionary who transformed the historic California Hotel in Fullerton into an architectural gem, that is no faint praise. Their first annual Halloween event was the perfect alchemy of nostalgia, charm, and just the right amount of mischief. I gathered a few of my closest friends and family to celebrate All Hallows' Eve. It became one of those rare nights that lingers - half in memory and half in dream - long after the pumpkin lights fade. (Our apologies to all if we became just a touch ... exuberant. The spirits might have had a hand in it!) The decision to screen the original Halloween - the film that arguably drew first blood for an entire genre of cinematic screams and the delicious dread of the slasher age - was a masterstroke of classic horror homage. There is a wondrous magic to watching a truly classic horror movie within a theater whose very walls are steeped in nearly a century of flickering stories, raucous laughter, tremulous gasps, and the occasional spectral whisper. One could almost feel the theatre itself remembering and calling out to its own ghosts -- stretching its long-forgotten velvet limbs from the past and eagerly joining in the revelry. If the Bay Theatre continues to shine with this much life, then I daresay that even the phantoms of 1945 will come drifting back - popcorn in hand, and ghoulishly eager for the next showing. For after all - "Life's no fun without a good scare" ... especially on All Hallows' Eve! read more

The Bay Theatre - All Hallow's Eve at the Bay Theatre! - Cinema Near Me - Seal Beach, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 2

Love this 3

Oh no 0

R M.

0

76

2

6 months ago

The theatre has been completely redone and reopened. It's great to see The Bay back in business! It's like taking a step back in time. Compliments to the entire team that renovated it!!! Go see a movie there! Any movie!!! read more

The Bay Theatre - Interior - Cinema Near Me - Seal Beach, California

The Bay Theatre - Exterior - Cinema Near Me - Seal Beach, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Chrissy K.

78

24

3

8 months ago

My husband and I have been anxiously awaiting the opening of the theater for years and finally got to experience it last night for his birthday. What a beautiful theater! They did an amazing job at restoring the theater while maintaining/respecting its original beauty. The seats were comfy and all our tall friends mentioned how they were able to stretch out comfortably as well. Screen picture and sound were great too. Can't wait to come again! read more

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 2

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Nicole G.

0

7

0

5 months ago

The BAY theatre is a historical landmark of seal beach . I can't express enough how beautiful the restoration turned out ! Paul Dunlap and his wife did an amazing job . I would recommend this theatre for all . Thank you for bringing the BAY back to life . read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Yovan B.

4

24

1

8 months ago

This place is amazing! I was there for Halloween and the staff was amazing. Place is gorgeous and it deserves sooo much more foot traffic. Love this place and will go as often as possible. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 3

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Carmen S.

4

36

0

7 months ago

I recently visited the Bay Theater to see The Hollywood Stones, and I had a fantastic time. The theater is adorable, freshly remodeled. I really appreciate having great live entertainment so close by and at a reasonable price; tickets for this show were just $30 per person. The theater seats around 330 guests, and there's a dance floor right in front of the stage where people can go up and dance, which adds to the fun, interactive atmosphere. The band played for a full two hours, and the whole night felt relaxed and enjoyable. Just a heads-up: there's no real food served inside only beer, soft drinks, popcorn, and candy. Since it's located right on Main Street, there are plenty of dining options nearby, and I'd definitely recommend grabbing dinner beforehand. This show started promptly at 8 PM and ended at 10 PM, and by that time all of the restaurants on Main Street were already closed, Parking was easy with no issues at all. I'm already looking forward to returning for another show! read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

David M.

0

5

8

1 year ago

As a Seal Beacher who grew up here ,seen hundreds of movies in this theater.Mr.Dunloo spent almost 10 yrs faithfully restoring her to her former glory.The attention to detail from the mood lighting in the fixtures , to a return of the curtain , the carpeting , the tile its like entering a time capsule .The Bay theater is truly one of a kind for those who want to experience what an old movie palace is .I so much wanted to meet Mr.Dunlop at the Mulan screening and thank him for all the work im a huge Movie Buff. read more

The Bay Theatre - Inside the Bay theater .Beautifully restored auditorium - Cinema Near Me - Seal Beach, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Nina L.

0

71

60

1 year ago

We saw a great show, Darrell Hammond, comedian from SNL. A few minor hitches with sound. The theater has been nicely refurbished. It's not over the top amazing but it's back. Really like the carpet though. I hope they put on more shows like that one. read more

The Bay Theatre - Front of the house - Cinema Near Me - Seal Beach, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Baylee C.

0

7

0

10 months ago

I saw a jazz show here with my mother and it was an exquisite experience in every way! As a former jazz singer, my mother was blown away, which is a feat in itself. The ambiance of the theatre is breathtakingly beautiful, the acoustics sounded crisp and rich and the talent on stage shone bright, with impressive special guests and clearly experienced musicians. I will be back for many more live shows and theater screenings to come! read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Robert P.

0

2

0

6 months ago

Paid $75.00 for tickets to an event. The event was cancelled and they refused to give me a refund even though I could show the charge on my credit card statement. I'll not be going there again. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Paul F.

0

16

0

6 months ago

I have gone to many movies and concerts alone and with friends in the last few months. If I have an open afternoon on the weekend I will go alone and really enjoy myself. I have seen diverse stuff such as Frozen and Strangers on a Train. Huge improvement over a TV showing. Easy park and walk in nearby lots. So grateful to have this venue back and I highly recommend it! read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 2

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Michael M.

0

3

0

9 months ago

First time seeing a movie here. Such a great experience and so fun. Love the old but newly renovated feel of this theatre. Will be back for sure to watch some classic movies read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Kathy S.

0

70

69

7 months ago

Attended the showing of the movie 'Harbour Chronicles' at the newly renovated Bay Theater in Seal Beach. The new owners have done a nice job renovating the historic theater. The movie was phenomenal. A great 'chronical' of local icon Rich Harbour, surfing history, and Seal Beach history. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 2

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Parker A.

0

1

0

10 months ago

I saw La La Land last week and let me just say I'm not even the biggest La La Land fan, but the gorgeous Bay Theater made this a MAGICAL experience. I'm coming back on Sunday for Citizen Kane--try and stop me read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 2

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Cris W.

0

12

0

1 year ago

Beautiful atmosphere and great restorations!!! Love the movie playlists so far...but never had someone and me down before a movie before....kind of a weird vibe to get when stepping into a movie theater for a nostalgia fest read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

More info about The Bay Theatre

340 Main St
Seal Beach, CA 90740
Directions
(714) 879-0111
Call Now
Visit Website
https://baytheatre.com

Hours

What time does The Bay Theatre open?

What time does The Bay Theatre close?

Food & Alcohol

Does The Bay Theatre serve alcohol?

No, The Bay Theatre does not serve alcohol.

Other Amenities

Does The Bay Theatre have free WiFi?

Yes, The Bay Theatre has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Bay Theatre is a historic single-screen venue, reopened in 2025 after a careful eight-year restoration. Now hosting independent film screenings, concerts, comedy nights, and community events in a lovingly preserved Art-Deco setting.

History

Established in 1945.

The Bay Theatre in Seal Beach opened on Thanksgiving 1945 as the Beach Theatre, a 662-seat cinema built by Oscar Johnson. In 1946 it was sold to Fox West Coast Theatres, renamed the Bay, and remodeled with a nautical Art Deco marquee that became a Main Street icon. Through the 1950s and 60s it was both a neighborhood hangout and a respected art house, known for Hollywood double features, foreign films, and even drawing film student Steven Spielberg. In 1975 Richard Loderhose bought the theater and installed a 1928 Wurlitzer organ, making it famous for silent films with live accompaniment. The Bay thrived for decades as a single-screen survivor, but the organ was removed in 2007 and the theater closed in 2012. Community advocacy secured historic landmark status in 2016, and preservationist Paul Dunlap purchased and restored the building. In 2025 the Bay reopened, blending its 1940s charm with modern upgrades to serve as a vibrant cultural venue once again.

You might also consider

AMC Marina Pacifica 12

3.6

(247 reviews)

1.3 mi

April 4, 2026 | Long Beach | After a pink dining experience nearby & walking distance, friends, and…read moreI decided to see a movie! Forbidden Fruits was our movie of choice at AMC Marina Pacifica 12! Inside of the Theater | A small selection of seating! The theater was absolutely packed for this particular movie! It was a sold out show, minus the handicap seat next to me, which no one sat in; my handbag! Outside | When you purchase a ticket outside in the center, to the left and to the right are two totally different entrances/buildings, depending upon which theater you're in! Seating | Cozy reclining seats, which I enjoyed! Since we selected seats last minute, we weren't able to sit together, which is completely fine! After all, the entertainment is in front of us on the screen! Restrooms | Neat & tidy! Customer Service | Friendly service with a smile, as well as happily pointed us in the correct direction to our theater! Overall | If in the area, I would easily return to this theater! Plus, there are numerous shops and restaurants nearby! Excellent!

Went to go see Project Hail Mary last weekend. Upon entry to the theater, the friendly young woman…read moreinformed me that the popcorn machine was broken at the concessions for the group of theatres I was in, but that I would be able to grab popcorn at the other concession stand across the lobby and bring into Theatre 4. The theatre itself was nice. Smaller and more intimate, the seats were full recliners. The sound and image quality of the film was excellent. The restroom was clean. Parking is fairly easy out front in a retail shopping space. Overall, this is a solid theatre option in Long Beach for those looking for the AMC brand experience.

See all

The Frida Cinema

4.8

(217 reviews)

13.7 mi

You can just feel the passion and love for film oozing from every inch of this place. The Frida is…read morewhere I go to unwind and appreciate a movie I might not have heard of before or have not had the opportunity to see on the big screen. The staff is kind and generous and the environment is warm and fun. Highly recommend to any movie lover!!!!!

The Frida Cinema is the only nonprofit independent cinema in Orange County. By not having to show…read morejust the latest blockbuster movies, they have a great variety of films. I really like that it has live shows, post movie Q & A sessions, film festivals and more. Check out their website and you'll probably find a number of movies you'll want to see or see again since they show classics and cult classics.

Bathroom art featuring iconic women in cinema

Outside

See all

James Duval

XAV Entertainment

(2 reviews)

49.6 mi

We had XAV Entertainment out to our Wildomar Beautification City Clean up event with a camera booth…read moreand they exceeded all expectations and we're very helpful and accommodating. 10/10 will use again.

I have worked with XAV Entertainment on several occasions, they have been great with communication…read moreleading up to the event and are always professional. Would highly recommend them!

See all

White Rose Production Cinema and Photo

4.9

(121 reviews)

25.5 mi

Where do we begin. The entire White Rose team is nothing short of professional, fast, passionate,…read moreincredibly nice, and beyond talented. I have heard of White Rose for many years prior to planning my wedding but Alex was formally introduced to us by our planner, Elegant Events. Before we even got started, he was so quick to respond to emails, hop on a call with me, and answered all of my 1000 questions. Leading up to our wedding I would stalk their social media pages, dreaming of how our wedding day would turn out. The day of my wedding Alex and his team showed up and went above and beyond my expectations. They worked so collaboratively with my photographer and the rest of my vendors. So seamless. So professional. So creative. So fun!!! Your wedding day is so special (and very exhausting by the end of it) so having a good team of people makes the world of a difference. From the creative ideas to the guidance with poses, I was happy, having fun, and at ease the entire day. The day goes by so quickly and I was so excited to get my content, since photos and videos are the only things that live on. We went with the best package they had available (and even added more time at the end) because it was THAT good. The White Rose team turned around our content soooooo quickly and did the most amazing job- I still cry every time I watch our video. They were able to get me my 2 hour film before the holidays and the whole family got to enjoy it and relive it on Christmas. I truly hope we can work with White Rose on more occasions in the near future and HIGHLY recommend selecting them for your wedding.

I HIGHLY recommend using White Rose for any and all videography needs. After thoroughly researching…read morewedding videographers, I had my heart set on White Rose. I was fortunate that they were available on my wedding day!! They made the most amazing wedding videos that I will cherish forever!! I highly recommend booking White Rose, even if it means reallocating more of the wedding budget to videography!! They just have that creative vision that is so necessary for something as important as a wedding video. Not only were their final deliverables great, they were also so great to work with! They are very communicative, responsive, and reliable, which is just so important to have in a wedding vendor; having awesome vendors just makes the planning process way more enjoyable and contributes to the overall day going smoothly. Even years later, I've reached out to them regarding my videos, and they've been so accommodating!

See all

VIC Entertainment

(7 reviews)

21.3 mi

Amazing services Victor renders…read more. DJ, Outdoor movies, and so much much more!!

This guy really has it together for that special occasion, very professional and quality sounds and…read morelighting unsurpassed With a wide variety of music to fit your special requests. Highly recommended and very reasonable for his hi standard service. Punctual and respectful.

3 story tall video screen. Great for large audiences.

See all

The view behind a dj's office. Priceless!

Video Del Mar

(1 review)

17.8 mi

Working with Video Del Mar was such an amazing experience that exceeded our expectations. We wanted…read morethe memories of our wedding and the end product we recieved was everything we wanted. The videographer was very professional and punctual but more importantly easy to work with. We let them know what we wanted captured and we recieved a beautiful video we could share with our friends and family forever. The affordability, camera work and video editing were all top teir quality and I would definitely reccomend this company to anyone who is thinking of needing video services. They are professional grade from their equipent, lighting, editing and the final product. If your looking for video services this company is IT. Thank you Video Del Mar for taking care of my family and I with memories that will last a lifetime.

From the owner: Video Del Mar is a media production company providing technology driven solutions that will engage…read moreyour core audience. Our focus is filming and streaming corporate conferences, hybrid meetings, weddings, celebrations, concerts, and web productions. We also specialize in creating documentary films, company overview videos, and visual ads targeted for social media. Having over a decade of experience working in the audio/video industry you can rest assure we can make your project a success.

See all

Sol Shine Productions

(3 reviews)

20.4 mi

Amazing customer service, very professional pricing g is amazing. Highly recommend this company…read more Great for school, church & non-profit events. The owner will work with you.

It was really great working with Sol Shine production for our elementary school's movie night. They…read moreare very easy to work with and communicate with. Their equipments (screens, sound system etc) are top notch. We look forward to working with them again in the future

Backyard birthday party watching Mamma Mia

Movie in the park

See all

Movies on the beach

Inphase

(1 review)

54.9 mi

Aside from everything else they do, Inphase is an excellent source for commercial LED lighting…read morefixtures. Very reasonable & service is excellent.

From the owner: InPhase offers customized LED-based lighting systems, DMX lighting control systems, stage and set…read moreLED lighting design and installation services and sales and rental of commercial LED lighting products including LED SpeedTape, LED light boxes, LED light tubes and DMX LED lighting controllers.

Century Huntington Beach and XD

3.5

(689 reviews)

6.3 mi

Still love this theatre! Their seats are so luxurious. We've been to so many different theatres and…read morethe comfort level is different here. Popcorn is fresh, butter good, icees delicious and matinees are our jam! Mandalorian and Grogu we've seen twice in Theatre 2 and it has to be our fave!! The loveseats are so comfortable!!! Love, love, love

There are a few major issues with this theater complex that make going here a massive headache,…read moremostly starting before you even walk through the front doors. The Parking Nightmare: 10-Minute Limits: The main issue here is the parking layout. About 95% of the parking spaces are strictly designated as 10-minute parking, which makes absolutely no sense for a movie theater. The Empty Valet Lot: They have an entire massive section of the lot completely blocked off and closed for a valet service. The kicker? The valet is never even present. It's just a giant, empty, wasted lot sitting right next to the theater for no reason while regular customers struggle to find a spot. Lack of Accessibility: There are only two handicap parking spaces for the entire complex, which is completely unacceptable for a venue of this size. The Theater & Amenities: Online Fees: On top of the parking hassle, they tack on extra fees just for buying your tickets online. Peeling D-Box Seats: I paid extra to get the D-Box seats, but the material on them was completely peeling. Lack of Reinvestment: The theater itself works fine and does what a theater should do, but I feel like a company this big should be reinvesting their money much better into the actual quality of the facility. Final Verdict: Three stars because it gets the job done as a basic theater, but between the non-existent practical parking, the online fees, and the worn-out upgraded seating, they really need to improve the overall experience.