Family-Oriented Theater in Southeast Portland

When I was growing up, one of the local theaters charged one dollar per person for movies. In fact, you could see a double feature there for one dollar. After I graduated from high school, however, the theater was torn down, and a home improvement store was built on the site.

Since then, it's been hard to find inexpensive movie theaters. We haven't had any movie theater at all in our area for quite a while! I don't mind waiting a while to see a movie if I can see it for a decent price, but fewer and fewer theatres have been offering that option. However, Portland does now have at least one theatre that's both reasonably priced and pleasant to visit.

The Academy Theater on Southeast Stark Street was one of many neighborhood movie palaces in the 1940's and 50's, but eventually closed in the 1970's and fell into disrepair. New owners Ty Dupuis and Heyward and Julie Stewart remodeled and re-opened the theater in 2006.

The remodeled theater has been restored in the style of the 1940's, using vintage photographs from the original theater's opening night. It is now split into three smaller auditoriums, rather than having one large one, but the rooms are bigger than shoeboxes, clean and comfortable. Even the bathrooms are clean and nicely remodeled.

The Academy shows a range of movies; there's usually something kid-friendly, but adult-oriented films are also available. For those who prefer it, on-site child care is available too! The Academy has a staffed playroom upstairs, open Thursday through Sunday during shows starting between 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Children aged 14 months to eight years old can play while parents enjoy some adult time at the movies. Child care costs a $5 flat fee per child.

Admission to the Academy is only $3.00 per adult and $2.00 per child or senior. That's a steal in itself, but even the refreshments are reasonably priced! The owners also run the Flying Pie pizzeria next door, so gourmet pizza is available, as well as microbrew beers, wine, sodas, iced tea, bottled water, hot dogs, salads, popcorn, ice cream, and candy.

I cannot recommend this theater highly enough. We've had nothing but positive experiences there. The management is always friendly and available. I've also been pleased to see Heyward Stewart carrying a child in a backpack while working -- as a mother, that makes me feel right at home!

Families will not be disappointed by an outing to the Academy Theater.