Riverview Theater is a 1950's style theater

The Riverview Theatre is a 21st Century Cinema in a 1950s Style Theater located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The theater has presented many entertainment options from Hollywood blockbusters to small independent films in a classic auditorium with new high-backed rocker seats and digital sound.

The theater has a state of the art projection and sound system, yet to allow visitors to the theater the opportunity to `step back in time' and experience the movies just like back in the 50s, some visitors like to arrive early to relax in the spacious lobby with their drinks and popcorn on the mod couches and chairs with mid-century lamps and marble tabletops.

A distinctive marquee is a prominent feature of the theater at the intersection of East 38th Street and 42nd Avenue, classic materials such as stainless steel divider and terrazzo tile floor are part of the entry, the copper drinking fountain has a green tiled wall to provide a backdrop for the lobby along with built in poster cases on either side of the fountain. The seats on the main floor are curved to provide unobstructed views of the performance, the ceiling is curved with indirect lighting and beams providing accent for the lobby.

The seating in the theater is stadium seating, which has been part of the Riverview since 1949, even though today it is being touted as a new concept. There are over 700 seats on the main floor or in the stadium seating. The New high-backed rocker seats, which have lift-up cup holders and armrests and were installed on the main floor of the theater in December 2007.

It has been voted by many of the customers at the theater and a review from the St. Paul Pioneer Press that they have the best popcorn in town. They use real butter, which is melted one pound at a time to keep the popcorn fresh, popcorn is even available for a discounted price on takeout popcorn.

The sound system at the theater has evolved over the years with subwoofers being added in 1993, then the original large Voice of the Theater speaker replaced with Electro-Voice speakers and horns. Dolby Digital sound was added in February 2000, which makes the total of speakers 20 in the whole theater. The theater has Dolby Digital and DTS Digital sound, which is rare for a single auditorium.

The Screen at the theater has been lit of over half a century, which is a monumental effort considering that many theater is Minneapolis have come and gone, such as the Avalon, Varsity, Academy, Lyric and the Camden, Nile and Terrace, which are the Riverview Theaters sister theaters. The Riverview Theater has survived time and looks the same as it did in 1950, the same furnishings, imported Italian marble tables and auditorium, which features a backlit proscenium.

The theater is able to be rented for special events during weeknights or off-hours. Visitors who rent the theater are able to use both video and film projection, which achieves 10,000 lumens of light output and HD capability. The stage, spotlights and P.A system are also available. Many public events and special screenings also take place at the Riverview each year. Films generally run from Friday-Thursday, due to special events the schedule may change and it is advised that visitors check the schedule of the day they wish to attend the theater.