M.i.'s Westside Comedy Theater sits in the alley between the Third Street Promenade and Fourth Street in Santa Monica. It opened in 2005 as the Westside Comedy Theater and took on the "M.i." portion in 2007 when they joined with Mission IMPROVable. Since the grand relaunch in 2009, this 2,000-square-foot performance space has offered a number of services for performers and filmmakers, including film shoots, seminars, casting calls and more. Improv troupes and comedy shows regularly take place on the stage at night. It also offers classes in improvisation, screenwriting and standup comedy. The space is available for rental seven days a week.
The Broadway Cineplex is a an AMC Loews theater complex that features four theaters showing recent releases. The theater is large and historic, having opened in 1934 as the Elmiro Theatre.
Today, the facade remains, even though the interior has been redone and the theater now accommodates 1,200 people (300 more than it originally did). It's located on the south end of the Third Street Promenade.
There is free parking in any of the neighborhood garages for up to two hours.
The Monica 4-Plex is one of 8 locations in Southern California under the Laemmle Theatres chain. It is still adorned with the old fashioned stands and booths that were typical during the time of its opening. The theatre shows award-winning films and festival favorites. The stories are dramatic, artistic and character-driven, with new films added to the line-up each week. Neighborhood film critics and fans can join the sneak preview club and get free passes to film screenings.
The AMC 7 Theater in downtown Santa Monica features seven screens showing the hottest current movies. The complex offers large, contemporary theaters and even features screens capable of showing 3-D films. A giant arch leads guests to the updated interior, where concessions are sold and ushers await to guide guests to the appropriate theater. Tickets can be purchased online or at the outdoor box office, and free parking is available for up to two hours in the community garage.