Miami-Dade County

Do you remember these old Miami movie theaters? See what they looked like back when

By Miami Herald Archives

The first movie theater in Miami was Kelly’s Theater in 1906, which sat on the south side of Flagler Street near the old Burdines.

Kelly’s gave way to the more palatial theaters with sloping floors, roomy seats, and chandeliers.

The 1950s and 1960s saw the birth of the Riviera in Coral Gables, Suniland in what is now Pinecrest and the popular Dadeland Mall theater.

By the 1990s most of the grander palaces were gone, but some of the buildings remain: The Olympia, which became the Gusman Center and back to the Olynmpia again, on Flagler; The Miracle in Coral Gables; The Shores in Miami Shores, which has hosted The Miami Theater Center and O Cinema’s presentation of independent, foreign and art films; The Tower in Little Havana; and Overtown’s historic Lyric Theater, which showcases live performances in the restored venue.

MORE: Remember movie palaces? South Florida had plenty — and Hollywood-style premieres, too

Let’s take a look at what Miami-area movie theaters looked like back in the day as we leaf through the Miami Herald photo archives:

A 1950s premiere of “Return of October” at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables.
A 1950s premiere of “Return of October” at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables. HistoryMiami
Raul Benitez, owner of the Surf Theater in 1989.
Raul Benitez, owner of the Surf Theater in 1989. Randy Bazemore Miami Herald File
In 2002, the Loews in Bay Harbor Islands.
In 2002, the Loews in Bay Harbor Islands. Al Diaz Miami Herald File
Seen in 2000, a plaque on the wall of the Byron Carlyle Theatre on 71st Street in Miami Beach.
Seen in 2000, a plaque on the wall of the Byron Carlyle Theatre on 71st Street in Miami Beach. Chuck Fadely Miami Herald File
In 2000, the Riviera Theater on U.S. 1 near the South Miami / Coral Gables border.
In 2000, the Riviera Theater on U.S. 1 near the South Miami / Coral Gables border. Al Diaz Miami Herald File
In 1958, the 170th Street Theater in Sunny Isles.
In 1958, the 170th Street Theater in Sunny Isles. Bob East Miami Herald File
Dancers add to the hoopla at an opening at the Carib Theater in Miami Beach in 1966.
Dancers add to the hoopla at an opening at the Carib Theater in Miami Beach in 1966. Miami Herald File
The opening of Wometco’s new Miami Theater in 1947 on Flagler Street as the Greater Miami Boys’ Drum and Bugle Corps wheels into place.
The opening of Wometco’s new Miami Theater in 1947 on Flagler Street as the Greater Miami Boys’ Drum and Bugle Corps wheels into place. Fred Brent Miami Herald File
Shores Theater in 1988.
Shores Theater in 1988. Miami Herald File
Miracle Theater on Miracle Mile at Coral Gables in 1948.
Miracle Theater on Miracle Mile at Coral Gables in 1948. Miami Herald File
The Miami Beach premiere of “Mutiny on the Bounty” in 1962 at the Sheridan Theater featured dancers from Fort Lauderdale’s Mai Kai Restaurant.
The Miami Beach premiere of “Mutiny on the Bounty” in 1962 at the Sheridan Theater featured dancers from Fort Lauderdale’s Mai Kai Restaurant. John Walther Miami Herald File
Miami Beach’s Lincoln Theater in 1936.
Miami Beach’s Lincoln Theater in 1936. Miami Herald File
Palms Theater in 1964 in Homestead.
Palms Theater in 1964 in Homestead. Miami Herald File
“Stagecoach,” a film starring John Wayne, had its 1939 premiere at Miami Beach’s Lincoln Theatre.
“Stagecoach,” a film starring John Wayne, had its 1939 premiere at Miami Beach’s Lincoln Theatre. HistoryMiami
In this file photo dated March 1971, we see the former The Carib Theare on Lincoln Road. It’s sign featured a raised porcelain facade that revealed a colorful map of the Caribbean area, including the southernmost portion of Florida. The marquee, made of plexi-glass, simulated the rolling surf. The theater was designed by Architect Michael DeAngelis. Liza Minnelli would star in the film version of “Cabaret” in 1972.
In this file photo dated March 1971, we see the former The Carib Theare on Lincoln Road. It’s sign featured a raised porcelain facade that revealed a colorful map of the Caribbean area, including the southernmost portion of Florida. The marquee, made of plexi-glass, simulated the rolling surf. The theater was designed by Architect Michael DeAngelis. Liza Minnelli would star in the film version of “Cabaret” in 1972. David Smith Miami Herald File

This story was originally published March 15, 2025 at 1:36 PM.

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