New Rheem Theatre

I’m going to give them 5 stars. It’s a small town theater with a great staff. I think a lot of people forget this theater is there. They show first run movies which is great. The main room has recliners in the first row which you can pay extra to use. I’ve always used the regular seating which is fine as well. In the main room you’re sitting in the middle of the room so the sound quality is pretty good. The smaller theaters are small but nice as well. What the Rheem lacks in size it makes up in charm. It’s convenient if you live in the Lamorinda area and parking has never been a problem.
I still remember a time when the Rheem Theater was closed like the Lafayette Theater is now. It’s great to see it up and running. I hope they continue to stay in business and the rent issue sorted out.

The New Rheem Theatre’s got a ton of character. You can tell that the moment you enter the lobby — there are movie props and even a DeLorean!
The Psychotronix Film Festival I went to was great fun, what with people in costume, prize giveaways and free carrot cake. I’ll definitely come back.

You just don’t see them like this any more.
This particular modernist style of façade was popular about the time they started incorporating theaters into strip malls, 1956 – 1960, a new invention when it was built. By the 1970s they were terribly out of style and the marquees were modernized or the theaters closed.
The lobby and auditorium/​s are absolutely fantastic, but the truly spectacular gem is the untouched façade.
The management schedules interesting programming for the place; you should absolutely support the Rheem. If you drive by everyday and have never patronized it, you’re missing an absolute unique opportunity to experience and support something rare and amazing.
It is only through your support that this important resource can remian open and relevant.

Awesome experience! Not only does this theatre have both amazing seats and couches, the extra things to look at while you’re inside will leave you satisfied just by itself. I had an awesome time here and I highly recommend it!

Love this place! Service is spectacular along with very good management. It really gives you an authentic theater feel. The theater has some
memorabilia from certain movies like Back to the Future, showing that the owners have good connections with the movie industry. This adds a huge authenticity to the theater and definitely brings me back.

my favorite place to watch a movie!!! the staff here are really nice, and the theater itself is full of cool things to look at. They either display a delorean or a herbie and its really cool!!! the theaters have couches which is also great!!!

I hope this place can stay open. My husband and I have enjoyed many date nights at the Rheem Theater. The stadium seating and historical movie collection are great!

Well, some great folks did wonderful things to update this theater. Thank you! Now, let’s hope we can keep it open and serving the community.

Voted best Indie Cinema 2015! Well done, guys!

This place is a hidden gem! When you walk into the lobby, you see a Delorean, (YES, a real Deloreon!), Kung Foo Panda, full size Iron Man, Superman, Classic Film and Movie displays and intimate seating areas. The theatre shows the big blockbusters, but also shows independent films and has great live shows! They have live jazz, comedy, inductions into their Classic Film Hall of Fame, (open to the public), a super fun B MOVIE night, (the 2^nd Sat of every month), fun atmosphere and excellent popcorn! This past weekend, at their Vincent Price Film Festival, they had wine, beer and vodka cocktails available. Upstairs, there are posters and incredible INTERACTIVE tablets on the wall. This is a great place for a date, the family, girl’s night out and everyone in between! In the same shopping center, there are Italian, Mediterranean, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Vietnemese restaurants and more. Go for the movies, stay for the fun!

Noticed I had an unfinished review with a dramatically lower rating from my early Unilocal years. Nothing like life experience, children and going to a business numerous times to change your perspective!
New Rheem Theatre and its counterpart — Rheem Theatre in Orinda — typically show 8 movies or so between both locations (as in they will not show the same films to allow for variety). At least one family movie will be showing. Movies are typically current films. Keeping in theme with the independent theater and film category, the duo of theaters tend to feature the thinking films that most likely didn’t need as much time in the special effects department.
The Moraga location is a cozy and relaxing theater without all of the craziness and parking hassles of the mega complexes in Contra Costa. Tuesday $ 7 movie admission. Consider becoming a theater member and participating in the California Independent Film Festival offerings as well.
Both the smaller venues and megaplexes have their places in the cinema world. With New Rheem, we also appreciate not sitting in previews and ads for 30 minutes into film «start» time! Think a more relaxed atmosphere without the chaos of the monster houses… and supporting the independent film world in the process.

Love the comfy seating! Also like all the movie memorabilia! Cute theater overall! Feel spoiled and will now only go to theaters with the couches!

A great small town theater. The popcorn is made fresh. In the main theater you can pay $ 2.00 extra to sit in large comfy recliners. In another smaller theater they have luv seats (small coaches). I remember this theater was having problems staying open. I’m so glad it’s still here. A great American Family treasure!

Super great experience here at the New Rheem Theatre in cute little Moraga. Loved the experience and the drive there was so pretty thru the cute old East Bay towns. Loved the new memory foam seats, the quietness and cleanliness of the location inside and out. Great fun old Hollywood things to see that take you back in time to your childhood… love the popcorn, and the cute old style water fountain, nice that it is still there and the old stairway that leeds to the movie auditorium was special. Looking forward to next visit and also Love the Orinda sister theatre. very special.

The New Rheem easily earns five stars.
The outside is a great example of Googie architecture, a form of Mid-​century modern architecture. The interior is attractive. The ladies-​room has a lounge with chairs and mirrors.
There is some period appropriate art on the theater walls. There is collection of movie costumes and vintage movie posters in the lobby and a side room. Although it isn’t used, the original box office is beautiful. There is a classic decorative marble leading into the theater, something that all most all theaters had in during the golden age of single screen movie houses. The very top of my list is the wide curved stairway to the upstairs movies. I walked up and down the staircase and felt like I was staring in a classic movie. While not a part of movie magic, it is also easy to park. There were to parking time limits or meters to worry about.
Of course, ultimately, I am here to enjoy a movie. The audio visual seems to be fine for the movies I like to see. There were not sounds from the other rooms leaking into the one I was sitting in.
What’s not to like: Well, Moraga is a bit of a jaunt off the main road. So, I can’t decide to see a movie here just before it starts. According to an article in the Contra Costa times, both the Rheem and the Orinda are for sale. Hopefully, whoever takes over will not demolish them.

Very cozy with a vintage feel. They have couches in the back rows that feel like you’re in your living room :) they had great very friendly staff and the lobby feels like you’re in on old Victorian hotel. Very cool! Oh and only 7 dollars movies on Tuesday! Can’t beat that price

Cool place. They did a nice job with their recent remodel, adding some vintage art deco touches in the lobby, and leather couches and new, comfy cinema seats in the theaters. This is a real gem of a local theater, serving families in LaMoRinda and students at St. Mary’s College. It has three screens running first run films. Special pricing deals for matinees, kids and seniors, and all Tuesday night shows. Parking is hassle-​free, lines are usually short, and you’re supporting a local business.

My friend and I drove all the way to this theater from San Leandro because it was the only theater still playing the Great Gatspy. I thought we were driving aimlessly until we finally stumbled upon this place. It’s a hidden gem, and well worth the drive.
It’s an old theater hidden in the hills of Moraga. It has a lot of charm to it, in the sense that it’s an old style cinema. Thankfully they brought in new chairs which are super comfortable. I dig this theater a lot.
However, the prices for their drinks and popcorn are a little outrageous for being such a small theater (that only shows about 3 – 4 movies at a time). I guess they assume the neighborhood is rich and can afford it, haha.
Well worth the drive, and next to a nice town. Check it out!

They have done some pretty cool remodeling to this theater. The screening room had a few rows of regular cinema seating, but the rest of the place was filled with couches.

Cool old independent theater in an area where there aren’t any others. If you want to watch an old movie or some little badly filmed indie flick and feel good about supporting an independent operator, by all means, you should come here. The seats are comfortable and the parking is easy.
If, however, you want to see all the cinematic details of a new film, or all the bells and whistles and clarity of an action film, you probably need to go to one of the more modern theaters.
The projectors here are shot. They break. The film quality looks grainy. It really is a shame they put money into new seats and not into the quality of the actual movie projection.

A very unique mini theatre that combines a vintage look with contemporary elements. The inside has like a small café, and there are theatre’s up and down stairs. There are a variety of seats. Some traditional theatre seats, some leather couches, and leather chairs. Very unique, not your average theatre.

I had a good time watching a movie at the New Rheem. It’s nice to be at a theater that isn’t cookie cutter like all the AMCs and Edwards that dominate the scene. Loved the side tables, couches, bean bags, and reclining chairs. Cozy.

Supporting local businesses. =) so far not too shabby, nice reclining seats!!!
**update — the reclining seats are both good and bad. because they recline so much they can actually make your knees hurt since your legs become elevated (mind you I’m about 5’10!). i ended up kicking the person in front of me a couple of times by accident as i was trying to gain circulation back. luckily they were cool with it. anyways, nice concept, will definitely come back again for another movie when the time comes. a little bit on the pricier side of things

It’s got the old style feel that I like, like an ancient relik that draws your attention without meaning to. It’s small and intimate. I came on a Sunday night to see Will Ferrell in The Campaign so there wasn’t much of a crowd — maybe three groups total to see this movie that night. Seats are fairly comfortable and the concession stand is decent. It’s also super clean! Overall, enjoyed my time here and recommend it to those searching for a quiet night out at the movies!

Just read The Orinda News Editorial the July 2012 issue. On page 6 and page 10 that Beau Behan left the Lamorinda Theatres. I’m very surprised that Beau left I’ve known him for two years he will be missed by others.
Beau’s work ethic has been excellent on many levels. Take care.