River Oaks Theatre

Address:	2009 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019, USA
Phone:	+1 713-524-2175
Site:	landmarktheatres.com
Rating:	4.5

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

Chris Gaskill

Went last night to see the one night only showing of Muses concert from Rome. River Oaks Theatre was the only place in Houston to show it, and things were looking up when we first got there. I thought the place was small but cozy, staff was really courteous and the bartender made my girlfriend and I two really good drinks. We headed down to get some snacks and a good seat for the show and really enjoyed all the leg room the seating had. I was getting psyched since initially it was supposed to be playing in one of the upstairs theaters, and I guess they decided to put it downstairs in the main one instead. Then the concert came on and the volume was so low it was beyond irritating. This was a rock concert showing! I play music louder than that it my car! It was impossible to get into it when I could so easily hear all the other people around me talking. Then during one song with heavy bass, they lowered the volume even more. I watched at least 5-10 people get up and go complain. If Muse were not my favorite band, I would have walked out and asked for my money back because of the poor showing. They did turn it back up a bit later, but at that point the whole experience was more or less ruined. Im giving 2 stars instead of 1 because I really liked the theater itself and the staff were nice, but they completely ruined the entire reason I was there. I didnt expect the volume to be like I was at an actual Muse concert, but I DID expect it would be as loud as a typical action movie in any other theater. Total disappointment; dont show a rock concert if you are barely going to play the music!

Mark Wang

This place is pretty much the definition of art house theater. Theres a pretty long history for this theater and the current owner definitely appreciate it and have kept it true even until today. Sometimes you just really like the looks of the old school marquee sign along with the big, bright incandescent light bulbs lighting the ticket booth / front entrance area. Now one of the best thing about this theater is the main theater still have the beautiful art deco reliefs on the left and right sides of the screen. The ticket price is pretty much the standard price and this is still showing exclusively independent / art films here. Every weekend, there will be midnight showing of classic films and by classics, I mean everything from Wizard of Oz to Robocop. Then the Saturday midnight has been consistently the Rocky Horror Picture Show and expect group of men wearing their best fishnet leggings, black corsets, boas, etc. The concession stand has your typical popcorn and drinks. Theres a full bar upstairs and you can bring the alcoholic drink into the theater. I always have a great time coming to this theater whether if the movie was good or not.

L L

Currently waiting to watch Lady MacBeth. Everyone was nice, and the theatre is very charming. I asked the staff if I could take a video of the lobby, she said yes, "people take pictures all the time". I understand bringing a go pro into the theatre room is a no no (and it wasnt my plan) for obvious reasons but the lobby shouldnt be censored? A man who Im guessing is the supervisor came out and said a videotaping needs to be contracted beforehand. Uh what? A picture/video of the lobbys face needs to be contracted beforehand? The lobby? Ok. I went back to my car, left my go pro. Took a video with my phone. Also, no one closed the entry door when the movie started. I HAD TO. I could hear the lobby music and lights. This movie is pretty quiet so it was distracting. Great job everyone ..... P.S. If they had said no to begin with, it would have been fine. If there was logic to their apparent private lobby area, thats fine. I respect museums when they say no.... Which is why I ask beforehand. Zero logic here. Until they start charging admission to view their magical lobby area, it shouldnt be off limits to pictures.

Gilbert Landras

This is an especially amazing gem in Houston. It is damn near an institution! A place I hope Weingarten Realty doesnt ruin any time soon. Their midnight show series is incredible. All those cult classics, those fun timeless classics to those suspenseful features River Oaks Theater has given us the opportunity to relive those moments. I am especially a fan of when they show Back to the Future or anything Kevin Smith. For a while there they had the Rocky Horror Picture Show running concurrently with their own troupe. Though I am not a fan of that I went one time to experience it. General good times! For a long time this was the place to watch foreign films until the bigger theaters started getting in that game. There is something about watching a foreign or indie film at River Oaks Theater. Perhaps it is the way the main theater looks with the very classic antique look? Still: If you havent gone to a midnight show look up the next few movies and see if there was a classic you with to see on the big screen again (or perhaps never got a chance to until now).

Josh Goldberg

Huge Double Decker Art Deco Theater in the heart of it all. I believe this is the only independent movie theater in Houston, which is a shame, but I love the experience of going to this venue. The theater can stand for some small renovations here and there, but Im glad theres a parking structure across the street now. For a $10 admission, a better concession stand and more comfortable seats wouldnt hurt. Theres a full bar upstairs and you can bring the alcoholic drink into the theater. I always have a great time coming to this theater whether if the movie was good or not. Now one of the best things about this theater is the main theater still has the beautiful art deco reliefs on the left and right sides of the screen. Sometimes I just really love the looks of the old school marquee sign along with the big, bright incandescent light bulbs lighting the ticket booth / front entrance area. You should definitely give this theater a try if youve never been and you see a movie playing here you might be interested in watching.

Kit van Cleave

I have been going to the River Oaks Theatre for years because it shows foreign and independent films, which are hard to find in Houston. Many people dont find Sundance as accessible and user-friendly as ROT. I dont like the franchises, blockbusters, repeaters, "boy movies" or comic-book hero films. Prefer to see plot, writing, and great acting. The only problem, and its not the River Oaks Theatres fault, is that Houston gets "my movies" very late in the Oscar season. In 2015 Sundance showed both TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT (Cotillard a nominee) and STILL ALICE (Moore the already selected winner) in mid-January. At the same time. Oscar voters who live in this area would prefer to see films on the big screen before the end of the year. In any case, thanks ROT, for your years of choosing art over profit. And your popcorn is fresher and better than the multiplex. When are you showing MACBETH?

Fernando Gonzalez

What can I say. This is the only movie theater close to me and within a 20mile radius that shows small, independent films, and shall I add critically acclaimed films at that. Thats why I like this place. Movies such as Blue Jasmine, Carol, Mr.Holmes, just to name a few recent films shown here. However, I will say that the theater itself is not appealing. I understand that it is old but the restrooms are dirty and not kept. The theater rooms are okay, the seats arent very comfortable and tend to have an odor that makes it difficult when you first go inside. The last time I went (1/3/16) the room smelled musty and I couldnt bare it that I had to step out for a bit before the film started. So yeah it smelled. I had to breathe through my mouth and after being there for a while I got used to it. Im there soley for the films they play. Great selection!!