Hillcrest Cinemas

3965 Fifth Avenue, Suite 200,
San Diego, CA 92103

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Related Websites

Landmark Theatres(USA) (Official)

Additional Info

Operated by: Landmark Theatres (USA)

Functions: Movies (First Run), Movies (Foreign), Movies (Independent)

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 619.294.9266
Manager: 619.294.9266

Nearby Theaters

Auditorium 1, the largest

The Hillcrest Cinema was opened on November 22, 1991. Located in the heart of San Diego’s Uptown District, the uniquely designed Hillcrest Cinemas represent the city’s largest theatre complex dedicated to independent film and foreign language cinema.

The Village Hillcrest shopping complex is on Fifth Avenue between University Avenue and Washington Street, and is surrounded by many fine restaurants offering international cuisine.

Specialty items at the concessions counter include gourmet chocolates, espresso coffee beverages, Italian sodas and the finest popcorn available topped with 100% real butter.

Contributed by Christopher Principio

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

BrooklynJim
BrooklynJim on June 28, 2006 at 1:31 pm

In his 6-15-06 column, longtime SD Reader movie reviewer Duncan Shepherd wrote, “The home of ‘alternative’ cinema, the Landmark chain in our little neck of the woods is still open to the period piece, the literary adaptation, the digital documentary, the Holocaust remembrance, the coming-of-age tale, anything gay-themed…” High praise, and richly deserved, especially in this large, but extremely culture-deprived city.

My late son Greg (only 23 when he passed last year from a rare bone cancer) often invited me to press screenings at the Hillcrest Cinemas. I never questioned whether he was in need of a ride or if he really thought I’d like the film in question. Inevitably, it was the latter, and I’m indebted to him for rekindling my love of excellence in foreign films. Because of him, I was exposed to and thoroughly enjoyed “Monsieur Ibrahim,” “Les Choristes,” “No One Knows” and so many, many more. (The only dud I ever saw with him was the domestically made “Lost Skeleton of Cadavra,” and that was no reflection whatsoever on Chris, the bookers at the Hillcrest, Solomon & Friedman, or anyone else involved, except perhaps the filmmakers themselves. Back to Film School 101 at SDSU and Remedial Comedy for all you guys…)

Through Greg, I was also fortunate to meet theater manager Chris Principio, who has done a yeoman job for the Landmark chain, reviewers Beth Accommando, Diana Saenger, Scott Marks, Kyle Counts (who, sadly, also passed away in ‘05) and a host of others. My son ran with some really good company in the S.D. Film Critics’ Society.

Within the past few months, I’ve been pleased to see three worthwhile movies here, all of which branched out later to more mainstream theaters after seeing their respective successes at Hillcrest: “Good Night and Good Luck” (Clooney’s excellent tribute to the late reporter, Edward R. Murrow), “Neil Young: Heart of Gold” and “An Inconvenient Truth.” Four stars for each!

Earlier in this post, I took a swipe at this town, justly deserved. But if you should happen to visit at some point in the future, consider taking in a movie at the Hillcrest Cinemas just as you might go to Radio City Music Hall in NYC or a classy emporium in any other city of your choosing. This venue is theater-goer friendly and kept meticulously clean and comfortable. Hopefully, it will be around for you and for us locals for many years still to come.

BrooklynJim
BrooklynJim on September 8, 2008 at 8:32 am

Felt right back at home, LM, though I’m back in B'klyn for a long while. Thx for posting this pic!

MagicLantern
MagicLantern on July 21, 2010 at 6:23 pm

Built in 1991 and operated by Landmark ever since.

MagicLantern
MagicLantern on March 1, 2011 at 4:53 am

Anyone got a breakdown of number of seats in each auditorium?

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin on August 22, 2011 at 3:51 pm

Good photos, including interiors, here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.210304029027250.52460.146796025378051

MagicLantern, I’m a little late, but I can get seat counts from them because I go to press screenings there regularly. It’s around 300 #1, 200 for #2-4, and 100 for #5.

moviebuff82
moviebuff82 on May 16, 2017 at 11:40 am

Since Landmark is owned by 2929, they often show movies by Magnolia, Magnet, and 2929.

rivest266
rivest266 on May 5, 2024 at 12:18 pm

The Hillcrest Cinemas opened on November 22nd, 1991. Grand opening ads posted.

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