Historic movie palaces / Monroe Street theatre district
Theatre Royale
Closed – archive entry · 1907–1922
It started in 1907 as the Star, a nickelodeon at Monroe and Farmer in Detroit's first theatre district, and was one of John Kunsky's early houses. It had closed by 1922.
Quick facts
- Opened
- 1907
- Closed
- 1922
02 / The story of this place
Make time for these
The Royale opened in 1907 as the Star, a nickelodeon at Monroe and Farmer in the heart of Detroit's first theatre district, and was renamed the Theatre Royale about a year later. It was one of John Kunsky's early houses, alongside the Casino and the neighboring Liberty, well before he built the great Grand Circus Park palaces. It grew from nickelodeon to movie house and had closed by 1922. The whole block containing the Royale and the Liberty was later demolished.
- Opened as the Star nickelodeon in 1907
- One of John Kunsky's early houses
- Next door to the Liberty on Monroe
Plan your visit
The Royale's entire block was later demolished. For a movie downtown today, see the working cinemas in our guide.
Cinemas nearby
Back to cinemas ↗
Multiplexes / Detroit
Bel Air Luxury Cinema
The only first-run multiplex inside Detroit's city limits: ten screens on East Eight Mile with luxury rockers, recliners and a giant custom chandelier. No need to drive out to the suburbs for the new releases.
IMAX & giant screens / Detroit
Michigan Science Center – Immersive Dome Theater
Midtown's science museum runs three screens: the giant Immersive Dome Theater, the Penske Planetarium and the 3D Toyota Engineering Theater. The museum calls the dome the largest theatre in Michigan.
Film festivals / Detroit
Detroit Black Film Festival
Independent films directed, written or produced by Black filmmakers, at a Detroit festival Lazar and Marshalle Favors started in 2020. The 7th edition in September 2026 screens 89 films from 30 countries, with the Charles H. Wright Museum as its hub.