I really enjoyed seeing a movie here the other night. I never visited this theater while I was at school here, but I can tell it has been updated and renovated since then. The people i went here with told me it used to be a bit run down, but now it is very legit. Davis has really uppified it's downtown with the fancy Mishka's next door to this and the gelato place window inside the theater. Comfy seats and nice wall art inside the seating area also make this stand out, there may not be stars on the ceiling but there are the ones onscreen. You should definitely come here to see the fancy new theater, see movie on one of the two screens and sit in the comfortable seats. We also visited on discount Tuesday, 5$. Sweet. read more

Love this place! Fun, funky, clean, and the best place to watch indie films. It balances out the other two theaters that otherwise would probably only run these films for a week or two. The gelato window is awesome! These old theaters are a threatened species. I appreciate that the owner has put so much time, effort, and money into revamping it and making it a fun place to go. read more

Not 100% sure why I've never gone... The girl and I came here to see Jeff Who Lives at Home on a night off. Clean, quiet, cool inside with tasty popcorn and a pleasantly hipster casual staff. Design is classic and well maintained and the connected ice cream and coffee shops are a wonderfully bohemian touch. If you're into indie cinema, then this is highly recommended. read more

I love this old theater with its indie films and velveteen rocking seats. There are 2-3 films at a time and they rotate through pretty quickly. Parking is tough, but it's a great bike- or walk-to theater in the heart of Downtown Davis. The main theater has high ceilings and Art Deco paintings. Just a beautiful, well-kept old place. read more

Recently experienced the secrets of the iconic Varsity Theatre in Davis! Lovely interior and comfortable seats! Ice cream is sold in junction with the parlor next door and a small seating area is provided for casual talk and enjoying their snack selection! I like how the exterior matches the interior in terms of the vintage vibe and old Hollywood fashion of red and black color. You don't get the typical movie theatre feel when you're at the Varsity. It makes me want to see a live play because of its vintage style. When you notice the crowds of students and older couples gathered out front, it really sets the stage (so to speak) and I automatically get curious of what is playing! This is actually how my bf and I were intrigued to see La La Land (tbh he is a little more spontaneous though). Movies shown are a variety of foreign films, and box office's top hits! Firsts movie I saw here were Begin Again and La La Land. I don't really like how pricey the tickets are: There is no student discount. Location: Parking is a struggle if you come later, but since there are many popular eatery places around like  Mishka's and Vini's, parking will always be a struggle. Great spot for dinner and study afterwards. Deficiently an exciting venture to see new films and expand your interest in other actors/actresses! read more

Wonderful theatre and films but the owner will not listen to his customers and stop/replace the awful piano music that plays with the ads in the period before the coming attractions. We have been coming here for a very long time. It keeps looping and looping boring a hole in your brain. Sounds crazy ? Come here and listen you'll see what I mean.The staff there tell me innumerable people have complained and the owner won't listen. I assume he doesn't care about the customers, sad. read more

The Varsity Theatre always has a movie I want to see. I have seen movies here for years. I recently saw the movie "Parasite" and highly recommend the theatre (and movie). Comfortable seats, tasty food, amiable staff, and discounted movie tickets for students. The movie theatre is also connected to a gelato store that sells delicious gelato. read more

Have always loved this indie theater, but have not seen any movies in awhile. Was I surprised last week though when I walked in to see the Manchester by the Sea flick. The theater now had new high backed, rocking seats. So different than the very dated low backed, old, sometimes lumpy seats from a year or so ago. The lobby and outside are still the same, which is fine by me as it has that retro feel that embraces the independent film movement. Thanks, Varsity, for supporting the audiences who love the eclectic films you show! read more

What a cute theater! We saw Silver Linings Playbook tonight and it was my first visit to the Varsity! Comfortable seats with armrests that lift up so you can stretch out. The theater wasn't huge, but it felt intimate. I would come back again to see other films. The only issue I had with visiting this theater was trying to find parking that was around the block. read more

So in love with this theatre! It's centrally located in downtown and near all the cafes, bookshops and restaurants. Makes for a perfect date night. This is the best place in Davis to watch indie films and even though their schedule may change up and they can't get every film I've been super happy with the selection they have had since I moved here. The theatre is clean, recently upgraded but it still maintains that vintage feel (which I love). The staff is friendly and their gelato/coffee window is probably the best idea ever. Go check it out and support this local gem! read more

I'd never seen an indie theater before coming to Davis. This place is pretty neat! It has great ticket prices yet full sized theaters (2 I believe). They are always showing movies you've never heard about. read more

I love this place! Since the remodel, the chairs they have now have to be the most comfortable movie theater chairs I've sat in ever. No joke. Having a place that plays independent films right in my backyard is pretty cool, since I don't have to go all the way to the Crest or Tower theater's in Sac. read more

I grew up in Davis and I have watched the Varsity go through many different transformations. I remember when it was a movie theatre that showed regular, mainstream movies. I remember seeing live theatre in there when DMTC used it as a venue. I saw Lawsuit (RIP) there when I was an impressionably young pup. I also remember watching my high school perform their spring Pops concert there the year before I started high school. I moved out of Davis to go to college and work, but I go back very often. I was priveleged to go the opening of the "new" Varsity Theatre this last summer. It has been reincarnated once again as a movie theatre that shows independent films exclusively. At the opening they showed a little mini-documentary about the history of the building and all of the owners, events and uses that the Varsity has had (Did you know that this humble little theatre hosted the premiere of a Clint Eastwood movie way back when?). It was obvious to me that there was a lot of love and tenderness in the community for this old building and that the current owners truly wanted to return it to its old glory. At the same time, they wanted to bring more independent films to a community that badly needed a venue for it. And they have succeeded, in my opinion. On more than one occasion the Varsity was in danger of being torn down, but somebody was always there to revive it. The exterior of the building looks exactly the same as it always has, but the inside is just gorgeous. Very art nouveau. It's a huge theatre, but it still feels very intimate. And the seats are some of the most comfortable I have sat in. The staff is friendly and I have always seen one or both of the owners working alongisde their employees. Go support this locally owned and loved establishment. I hope it stays! read more

Varsity Theatre - Cinema Near Me - Davis, California

I love it here! The seats are comfy, and since it used to be a performance theatre, the ambience is beautiful. The staff is very friendly (I had a five minute convo with one of them about the Breaking Bad finale!) and the movies are fun and different. There is also a window inside the theatre connecting to the adjacent gelato parlor. It's like a portal into heaven. read more

Awesome marquee, really adds to the area.

Really nice theatre. It's cleaner and more comfortable than other theaters. I'm a big fan of the gelato window in the lobby- it's a nice change from your typical popcorn and candy. read more

Went here to watch a spectacular movie: Moonrise Kingdom. I enjoy the art house style theatre that this place offers, and I understand that in a digital age it's hard to find a decent projectionist, but I was on the verge of motion sickness the entire film. Try the gelato and the sparkling apple juice. Concessions keep places like this alive. read more

I saw "Grandma" with my mom about two weeks ago here. We had a good experience and plan on coming back. Theatre is cute and intimate (I think only two theaters). The seats are comfortable and I didn't really encounter any loud, rude teenagers (like the ones you usually have to tell to shut the hell up at Edwards). Nice place. read more

Small local theatre in Davis. Clean, comfortable with stadium seating. Easily accessible downtown location. A lovely surprise!

The only movie I watched here in all my years in Davis was The Black Swan. I thought the movie theater was super scary because you have to walk such a long way to get into one of the theaters and everything is super quiet. I don't have anything bad or too great to say about this place. It was definitely a movie experience I would never forget though because I honestly didn't know how to react to those awkward scenes in the movie since I was watching with people....lets just say I wasn't very comfortable with. read more

Very glad to see the theatre done up so nice. Really cool to have a theatre in town that caters a bit more to the "art house" film crowd. Plus they have the armrests that go up and seats that recline. An extremely pleasant viewing experience! read more

Perfectly situated for art and foreign films. Some of the reviews posted outside are so off---perhaps the Varsity should consider removing them. I've never tried the coffee or gelato, because we usually enjoy dining in downtown Davis first. Some of the upcoming movies are just what we want to see. Looks like the building next door is remodeling to include more before/after movie stops. read more

I used to come here every week for bargain night. I never had to check what movie was up because apparently the Varisty has great taste in films! Its one of those theatres where you feel really comfortable going for a movie solo - and you have to love the adjacent gelato. They also give out film posters to customers! read more

I love Varsity Theatre. The first movie I saw here was Slumdog Millionaire. They always have the lesser known, indie, or foreign films playing, which is perfect for their ambiance. I love the old school feel to it, but I wish it were renovated a bit more so it doesn't look as old as it probably is. I also wish they had a better system of organizing which movies are going to be playing in the theatre and when. I waited so long for New York, I Love You, which they kept listing as "coming soon," and it never came. I had to go to sac to finally watch it, and it was a terrible movie. :( But they do have discounted Tuesday showings. And that yummy gelato place attached to it. They host short film festivals sometimes, and do silly things like the midnight showing of some random action figure movie my roommate watched for $1. All in all, one of my favorite of Davis's quirks. Hopefully something good will be playing the next time I'm in town. read more

I love the Varsity! Great movies, reasonable snack bar prices, super-friendly staff and comfy seats, especially in the newer theater. A great Davis asset. read more

Comfortable chair, high quality experience. Watched Woody Allen's last movie there, Irrational Man.

Great presentation. Only digital theater in Yolo County. Very Friendly. Locally Owned

Woohoo!! My favorite place in Davis. Didn't know what to expect when coming here for the first time. Lucky for me I watched Moonrise Kingdom which was on the big screen. The seats are cushy and super nice... the inside of that room gave me warm fuzzy feelings. Also came back to watch Ruby Sparks. There's a super crazy hallway you gotta follow and it goes to this intimate, smaller screen, but it's still nice. The staff here is pretty cool too. Also matinee prices! Woo! read more

The only place in Davis that you can watch independent films. Calm, noncorporate atmosphere

Theatre seating was excellent and the ambiance of the entire setting was awesome. Tuesday showings are only $6 making it very affordable. I highly recommend viewing a film here. read more

I would like to give two big thanks. One to the Varsity and all of the small art house cinemas that make it possible for fans of quality films to have a place to see them. The second thanks goes to Harvey Weinstein. It seems like the majority of quality "small" films that come out have his name connected to them. The staff is friendly. The prices are reasonabe. I am not able to give it five stars because it is not one of the great old movie palaces from the past. read more

We had our first opportunity to try this because we wanted to see a film that had been taken down at all the Sacramento and Roseville locations but still playing here. Parking was very difficult on a Thursday night because we didn't realize that UCD does not have classes on Fridays so they start their weekends on Thursdays. The theater was conveniently located to many nice shops and restaurants. It was also clean and comfortable and the staff was helpful. I would love to come back soon but not on a Thursday night. read more

This is the only "indie" theater in the area and I really like it. My negative experience so far was last Friday. I invited few friends visiting from out of town to see a movie "Midnight in Paris". We got there early and wanted some ice cream. The Gelato place next door was Cash ONLY!! Then we went to Mishka's for a Rainbow ice cream as advertised on their sign. After standing in line, we were told they no longer serve ice cream. Then we walked over to Yogurt Shack and got ice cream. We walked in the theater and the first thing the attendant said was "Uh I can't let you in". We were puzzled. Then he showed us the sign and explained that you can't bring in outside food except when purchased from Gelato and Mishka. I explained that our intention was to buy ice cream at these places but it did not work out. He turns to a second person to see if we can go in this time since we did not intentionally try to take outside food in. She said NO. The movie had already started. I explained the story about how our original intent was to buy ice cream at Mishka and Gelato and not to bring outside food in. I said the movie has already started and I appreciate if she lets us go this time. In a normal "Adult", "Customer friendly" business setting you would be allowed to go in considering the circumstances. Uh no, not this theater. I was embarrassed by their attitude. The movie had already started and we ended up throwing our ice cream in a trash in front her. She was pleased, looked and said "thank you". I understand policy but causing people to "waste food" and "money" for the sake of policy is stupid. I think sensibility, good judgment and customer service when there is no harm and no bad intentions should prevail. read more

This has become the only place I'll see a movie. It feels like the best parts of watching a movie at the theater mixed with the best parts of watching a movie at home. I've asked them to turn on the heater when it was too cold and they did. They let you bring in your hot chocolate or tea from Mishka's next door. It's cozy and quaint, and yet, it's the BIG screen. A great find:) read more

If I go to a movie, I love to go here. Like to support an independent theatre. Love the ambience. Thank you to the owners for bringing this old, classic theatre back to life! Most of the movies I would want to see these days play here rather than the two other theaters in town. And they also let you bring in food from their next door neighbors, Miskha's. And I love the gelato window, so cute and clever. read more

We are new to the area and have been twice...love this place, nice seats, good service, excellent sound and they let you bring in a coffee from next door, and you can grab desert on the way out. The only thing I haven't liked is the lobby had a pallet of coffee in it last time I was there, now I love coffee as much as anyone, but theres something to be said for a slightly more appropriate lobby. Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but if thats the worst of it, we're good here. I HATE multiplexes so this is my new favorite cinema. read more

Great theatre especially if you like Indie movies, watched the Amy winehouse documentary recently only theatre in town showing it. It would be great if maybe the owners considered bringing in some comfy lounge chairs and wing chairs like other small theatres have been doing recently it would add to the charm. read more

Finally! some really good films in Davis. Indie, arthouse, foreign films. Great theater. Advertising with a list of upcoming films, a description of the film and dates played would allow people to plan to go with people. The way it is, you never know until shortly before what is playing and when, unless you go to the theater. This is a big factor in getting people to the theater. Better marketing will keep the theater open. These are the best films in Davis! read more