Historic movie palaces / Crawford County
Rialto Theater
Grayling's downtown single-screen theater, run by the same family at the same spot since 1915, making it one of the oldest family-owned theaters in the country. Rocking-chair seats, a balcony, low prices.
Quick facts
- Opened
- 1930
- Architect
- Charles Howard Crane (per Cinema Treasures)
- Seats
- 500
- Screens
- 1
What makes it special: Rocking-chair seating, balcony, digital projection and sound.
01 / Now showing
Now showing
Nothing on our calendar from this venue right now. Its full, current lineup is on its own site.
Full lineup on the venue’s site ↗02 / The story of this place
Make time for these
The Rialto has been run by the same family at the same location since 1915, making it one of the oldest family-owned theaters in the United States. It was the first house in a circuit owned by brothers George and W. James Olson. The original theater burned in 1930 and the current building replaced it right away, designed, per Cinema Treasures, by C. Howard Crane. It still shows first-run Hollywood films at low prices, on one screen with 500 seats and a balcony. It's operated by Jordan Stancil, who also runs cinemas in Alpena and Big Rapids.
- Same family, same spot since 1915
- Rocking-chair seats and a balcony
- Tuesday bargain: $6 tickets
Plan your visit
It's at 302 E Michigan Ave in downtown Grayling; call (989) 348-5948. Evening adult tickets after 6 p.m. are $8.75, but Tuesdays get you in for $6.
Ticket prices
Adult evening (after 6 p.m.) $8.75; adult matinee $7.50; Tuesday bargain $6; kids under 12 $5.
Cinemas nearby
Back to cinemas ↗
Drive-ins / Honor
Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre
A 1950s-themed drive-in in Honor, deep in Northwest Michigan's cherry country, since 1953. Always a double feature, vintage cartoons on 35mm, and sound from the original tube-amp speaker posts.
Historic movie palaces / Elk Rapids
Elk Rapids Cinema
A well-preserved Art Deco single-screen house in Elk Rapids since 1940. The ceiling is covered by what the owners call the world's largest black-light mural, and Monday nights bring free classics.
Historic movie palaces / Rogers City
Rogers Theater
Rogers City's 1937 Art Deco movie house with an orange-and-black tile facade, now run by the local library. New and classic films, live theater and concerts, with many screenings free or by donation.