Opened on March 7, 1938. Its opening attraction remains unknown, but it also opened with George Formby appearing in-person. This is also Manchester’s first movie theater to have installations of Western Electric Mirrophonic Sound.
Also closed with “The Glimmer Man” in Screen 2 and a double feature of “Dragonheart” and “Chain Reaction” in Screen 3. Screen 1 closed with “Brassed Off” with the Wurlitzer organ concert by David Warner before showing.
Opened on June 12, 1949 with Sabu in “Song Of India” and Stephen Dunne in “Law Of The Barbary Coast” along with the Bugs Bunny Looney Tunes cartoon “High Diving Hare” and Paramount News. The Rio closed as a first-run house on June 4, 2000 with “Time Code” and “Center Stage”. As of 2025, the Rio now screens independent films as well as performing arts.
Operated as early as 1927 and closed in 1934, briefly reopened in 1936.
Its most likely that the Max Theatre later became Van’s Theatre in August 1945, judging by the way they advertised. The Van’s Theatre closed in 1948.
The Alta Theater opened as early as 1930 although I cannot find any information about it. This is also possibly short-lived.
Closed in September 1940 when the Ritz Theatre opened nearby.
The Ritz opened in September 1940 and was still open in the mid-1960s.
Actual closing date is September 28, 1980.
Actual closing date is September 20, 1984 with both “Exterminator” films (Part 2 starts first, followed by Part 1) and “Enter The Ninja”.
Actual closing date is May 22, 1990.
Closed on February 5, 1981.
Closed on October 30, 1973 with “Last Tango In Paris”.
Closed as a first-run house on August 27, 1979 with a limited engagement of “Star Wars”.
Operated as early as 1921, closed in August 1927.
Closed on October 14, 1967.
Opened around 1995, screening independent, foreign, and classic films.
Demolished on October 6, 1987.
Closed on June 18, 1963, demolished the following month.
Very short-lived. Opened on February 14, 2013 and closed in January 2015.
Opened on March 7, 1938. Its opening attraction remains unknown, but it also opened with George Formby appearing in-person. This is also Manchester’s first movie theater to have installations of Western Electric Mirrophonic Sound.
Closed with Disney’s “In Search Of The Castaways”.
Closed on June 20, 2002.
Closed on February 18, 1993 with “Dracula” in Screen 1 and “Honey I Blew Up The Kid” in Screen 2.
Also closed with “The Glimmer Man” in Screen 2 and a double feature of “Dragonheart” and “Chain Reaction” in Screen 3. Screen 1 closed with “Brassed Off” with the Wurlitzer organ concert by David Warner before showing.
Closed on December 30, 2001.
Opened with “The Adventurers” in Screen 1 and “Funny Girl” in Screen 2.
Opened on June 12, 1949 with Sabu in “Song Of India” and Stephen Dunne in “Law Of The Barbary Coast” along with the Bugs Bunny Looney Tunes cartoon “High Diving Hare” and Paramount News. The Rio closed as a first-run house on June 4, 2000 with “Time Code” and “Center Stage”. As of 2025, the Rio now screens independent films as well as performing arts.