Landmark’s Ken Cinema

I’m giving this place more credit than it deserves based on my one experience here. I appreciate the small theatre and I grateful for the interesting selection of movies you can see here but they need to figure things out here.
I went for the midnight showing of Aliens. The Ken does a lot of midnight showings so they should have things figured out, but the don’t.
When I arrived there was a confused semi-​line forming outside with a few people going in an out of the theatre hanging out by the concessions. I went in to see what was going on and no one seemed to know if we needed to line up inside or out. I asked the overwhelmed woman working the concessions and she said she was thinking about telling people to lineup outside. This was at 11:50 when the ticket said that showtime was 11:55. Eventually everyone lined up outside and some time around 12:05 the let everyone in, not checking a single ticket.
Luckily I was towards the front of the line and my wife and I were able to grab some not-​so-​fresh popcorn and a large soda before the movie started, others were not so lucky. The movie started quickly after letting the line in with no previews so the large line of people that had just entered the theatre were stuck in line while the movie rolled on.
Doors need to be opened by 11:30 at the latest. I’m sure concession sales would be better if people could get in the theatre and seated comfortably with a few minutes to spare.
The movie was great and it was fun to see it with so many other fans cheering like it was opening night. Seats were relatively comfortable. Someone threw up all over the floor in the bathroom so that sucked.

Well, it’s true that the seats are not as comfortable in some other theaters so, by rights, I should’ve docked a star BUT this place contributes so much to the character of the neighborhood (as well as reflecting that character) that five stars it is! Best film selection — for old and indie, foreign and cult choices, this theater is great!!! Even established traditions with the singing Sound of Music and a week of The Rocky Horror picture Show at midnight. Frequented by people you’d enjoy a conversation with — at any age. Support this theater!

I love this place. I hope they do They Live again at the midnight screening. Very cool place.

Only place I know of in SD to enjoy the debauchery that is Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight!!!

Da Bomb. I’m so happy this place is still around. Please continue to give them your money.

I hadn’t been to the Ken in years. I had read about their renovations, and when I heard that a digitally-​restored version of The Third Man was playing, I convinced several friends to come with me to see it as it should be seen. Unfortunately, the sound was TERRIBLE. The Third Man has a complex plot, and although the restored version was better visually than my DVD copy, the dialog was almost incomprehensible. My friends were confused and unimpressed, and I was wholly disappointed in the experience.

Ken Cinema makes the community a better place. If not for the actual visit, but for the nostalgia you feel by simply seeing old films listed on the marquee. They have film events, new movies, and will show older films as well. The pricing is comparable to other movie theatres, but you receive so much more than just a movie-​watching experience, you get a taste of San Diego’s more recent history.

An Indy movie theatre packed with charm and character.
Last night my wife and I went to go watch one of film’s pinnacle achievements SPICE WORLD at midnight. The patrons of the Ken were dressed up and full of midnight energy. We started the evening with some good ol fashion 90’s karaōke. It was a great time. And despite typically got my to sleep at 10 I made it to 2!
The theatre is on the smaller side, but comfortable and has the needed amenities. I wouldn’t come here to watch the new Avengers movie, surely not IMAX, but they play the interesting movies you can find anywhere.
They were also show the Apu trilogy, I would have loved to see but my wife wasn’t feeling it.
Tickets are less expensive than main stream theaters, so is the popcorn.
TIP to all the men, the bathroom door can swing into the area in front of the urinal so be careful. Don’t get hit and drop your iPhone 6 plus!

Thank you Ken Cinemas for being so awesome!
I’m a big fan of the Midnight Series and just saw AKIRA, the only bummer is that it was in English, not in Japanese as advertised :/​
Delicious popcorn that tastes fresh and comfy seats! The perfect midnight snack!

Saw The Wrecking Crew here. Lots of old friends of mine in this one.
Great old theater. Was our first time here, but it won’t be our last. The old projection camera they have in the lobby is awesome!

I had so much fun watching the Oscar nominated animated short films in this small art theater. It is so close to my house and I had never known. There are some great choices for snacks available, including fresh popcorn and Italian sodas.
The theater itself was larger than I expected, but was still small and intimate. I would definitely go back to see more films. I wish that there were more options of films available, but then I would spend all of my money there. This theater is a great date idea. The atmosphere of the little theater is very romantic.

I am a huge fan of Ken Cinemas. There are a ton of cute restaurants nearby and right next to it is a delicious ice-​cream store (Try the ice cream cake… it is very good!). Parking is relatively easy even during the hustle and bustle that comes with the weekends. The staff are always helpful and friendly. I really love going to the Ken to see unconventional movies or classics that are no longer in theaters. This is truly one of the hidden gems in San Diego. If you haven’t done so already or if you’re new in town, try to see a movie at the ken! I’m sure it will leave quite an impression.

Great films in a great area! Yummy snacks, too!

I am thrilled that the Ken Cinema as saved from
Being closed recently. Their midnight shows are always so much fun, especially Rocky Horror Picture show hosted by Crazed Imaginations on the third Saturday of the month at 11:59pm. The staff who work at the Ken are all very nice and laid back people. If you prefer modern stadium seating theaters this one be the place for you, but this theater has its charms. The seating may be old school but the seats are in good condition, and the screen and projection was recently upgraded to improve the visual quality of movies being shown. Don’t forget the classic landmark and independent movie theaters, they bring history and culture to neighborhoods and are the best way to check out independent films you would not normally have access to at larger movie theater chains.

I love love this theater. I’m so happy that they decided to stay open! I recently attended Rocky Horror here for the first time. I have been to other locations before, but this one is so close! It’s great fun if you’ve never been. They even show cartoon shorts before the show! I will definitely be attending many more midnight movie showings in the future.

Great little movie house.
Prices are very reasonable for tickets & popcorn/​drinks/​snacks.
We go to the midnight showings of old movies on Saturday nights.
It’s a blast!

I adore this theatre. They always show the most
Cutting edge films. What a gem.

Last single-​screen theater in San Diego County. Great sound/​video quality and more seats than you can imagine.
An evening movie ticket is only $ 10!
They have a popcorn/​soda combo deal for only $ 8!
There is a yellow loading zone curb in front of the theatre for easy drop offs.
Shows frequently change, so check in weekly online!

Raddest theatre in the city of San Diego! I’m really glad to have a small, antiquated, and unique theatre such as this one in my neighborhood. Don’t get me wrong — I’ll occasionally watch a film at AMC or Edwards, but nothing beats riding down to the Ken on a weekday afternoon to catch a showing of whichever interesting film they’re playing that week.
They tend to show older films on certain weekends of the month (Rocky Horror Picture Show is quite favored), and usually host a midnight showing of the original Halloween every October 31^st of the year. Pretty rad, right?
Their matinée shows are reasonably priced, the theatre is cute and cozy (perfect for a date), you can be added to an email list and receive notifications and reviews on what they show every week, and the films they play are always interesting. You can’t go wrong.

Love old theaters that show Indy and International films. The staff has always been friendly and the prices are reasonable — especially the Matinée show (first show of the day).
It is in Kensington area (great little area). Plenty to do in an afternoon with the theater, Mexican or French food across the street, and a nice little park down the street.