Gateway Film Center
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Gateway Film Center is lauded as a 'film-lover's dream' due to its well-curated, diverse film selection including new releases, throwbacks, international films, and award-season picks. It offers a comfortable, clean environment with notable accessibility features, appealing to those seeking a quality cinematic experience beyond mainstream blockbusters.
Key Highlights
- ✓Impeccable, clean, and neat theater environment.
- ✓Comfy, nice leather seats with assigned seating.
- ✓Great audio quality throughout the theater.
- ✓Described as having the 'coolest, kindest staff'.
- ✓Offers 'yummy popcorn' and a selection of mocktails and cocktails.
- ✓Features well-curated showings, including artsy films, special features, throwbacks, new films, award season picks, and international representation.
- ✓Creative atmosphere, including the sale of art within the venue.
- ✓Provides good accessibility features like closed captioning, assistive listening systems, a power-assisted entrance door, and dedicated wheelchair seating.
Standout Features
- ⭐Membership program available, suggesting benefits for frequent visitors.
- ⭐Comfortable, clean leather seats with the option to choose your specific seat.
- ⭐Excellent sound system enhancing the movie experience.
- ⭐Two bars on-site: one for cocktails and another for snacks and sodas.
- ⭐Diverse and thoughtfully curated film programming that appeals to a wide range of film tastes.
- ⭐Creative ambiance, featuring art for sale.
- ⭐Accommodating staff, particularly noted for assisting with accessibility needs.
- ⭐Availability of closed captioning and assistive listening systems.
- ⭐Power-assisted door at the main entrance (on the left side).
- ⭐Well-lit, big number signs to easily locate screening rooms.
- ⭐Long door handles for screening rooms, making them accessible for persons using wheelchairs.
- ⭐Dedicated wheelchair seating area in the front row, designed with two standard theater seats on both sides for integrated seating.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Consider visiting when Ohio State classes are not in session to potentially avoid disruptive student crowds and ensure a quieter viewing experience.
- →If disruptive behavior occurs, report it to staff, though be aware that resolution is not guaranteed based on one past experience.
- →For those needing assistance with accessibility, locate the elevator on the left side upon entry, as it is somewhat hidden.
- →Individuals with visual impairments should exercise extra caution in the very dark screening rooms before the movie, especially when navigating turns or steps with potentially misleading platforms.
- →Tall individuals should be aware that seats do not recline, which might impact comfort for longer movies.
- →Explore the membership option if you plan to visit frequently, as it may offer value.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Potential for disruptive student crowds, especially when Ohio State classes are in session, leading to loud talking, excessive phone use, seat kicking, and reported smoking inside the theater.
- ⚠Staff did not effectively resolve disruptive behavior when reported during one visit.
- ⚠The theater can be particularly loud, with sound from other screening rooms sometimes audible.
- ⚠Seats do not recline, which can be uncomfortable for tall individuals who cannot stretch their legs.
- ⚠Screening room doors are heavy and are not power-assisted.
- ⚠Screening rooms are very dark before the movie starts, and some entryways require turns in unlit areas, posing challenges for those with visual impairments.
- ⚠Steps inside the theater have platform/landing areas that could be misleading for visually impaired persons due to varying levels.
- ⚠The elevator is described as 'a bit hidden' upon entry.
Price & Value
No specific pricing for tickets or membership is mentioned in the reviews, but a 'membership' is available, suggesting potential cost savings for frequent visitors. Popcorn and a range of drinks (soda, mocktails, cocktails) are available, but prices are not specified. The perceived value comes from the curated film selection, comfort, cleanliness, and strong accessibility features.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •**Wheelchair Access:** A parking garage is conveniently located 3 minutes away. The main entrance features a power-assisted door on the left side. An elevator is available but 'a bit hidden,' located on the left upon entry. Screening room door handles are considerably long, making them accessible, and dedicated wheelchair areas are in the front row with two standard seats on each side for integration.
- •**Visual Impairment:** Screening rooms feature big, well-lit number signs. However, the screening rooms are very dark before the movie, and some entryways require turns in unlit areas, posing challenges. Steps inside the theater are lit, but platform/landing areas can be misleading.
- •**Hearing Impairment:** Closed captioning (CC) and assistive listening systems (ALS) are available. Staff are noted as accommodating concerning the use of assistive listening systems.
- •**Mobility Impairment:** Screening room doors are heavy and are not power-assisted, which might be challenging for some individuals.
- •**Staff Accommodation:** Staff are generally described as accommodating, specifically noted for their assistance with assistive listening systems.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •The venue features two distinct bars: one specifically for cocktails and another for snacks and sodas. 'Yummy popcorn' is available. While no explicit policy on outside food is mentioned, the presence of these dedicated internal snack and drink options implies that purchasing from the venue is expected.
🚗Parking Info
- •A parking garage is located adjacent to Gateway Film Center, approximately 3 minutes away, and is described as convenient for accessing the building.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Can experience very crowded and disruptive conditions, particularly when Ohio State classes are in session due to a high volume of students.
- •The theater itself is noted for being particularly loud, with sound from adjacent screening rooms audible at times.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety measures such as staff monitoring play areas, wristbands for entry/exit tracking, a first aid station on-site, or locked entrance doors were explicitly mentioned in the reviews. The primary safety concern noted relates to navigation challenges for visually impaired individuals in dark screening rooms and around potentially misleading step platforms.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Visiting during Ohio State class times if you desire a quiet, undisturbed movie experience, due to reported disruptive student behavior.
- • If you or your companion require power-assisted doors for screening room access, as these doors are heavy and manual.
- • If you are tall and prioritize reclining seats for comfort during a movie.
- • If you or your child has a severe visual impairment and requires well-lit paths within the theater, particularly before the movie starts, as dark conditions and misleading step platforms are present.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
myGFC Membership (Introductory)
$14.95/monthDuration: Monthly
Supports the Film Center and provides access to watch, experience, and discover the best in visual storytelling.
Includes:
- •Access to all regular film screenings (occasional restrictions apply)
- •Exclusive access to The Torpedo Room speakeasy
- •Invitations to members-only events and advanced screenings
- •Special pricing in the Center’s food and beverage concepts and Shop the Film Center
- •Complimentary member popcorn when visiting
myGFC Membership (Standard)
$19.95/monthDuration: Monthly
Standard rate after introductory period for myGFC membership.
Includes:
- •Access to all regular film screenings (occasional restrictions apply)
- •Exclusive access to The Torpedo Room speakeasy
- •Invitations to members-only events and advanced screenings
- •Special pricing in the Center’s food and beverage concepts and Shop the Film Center
- •Complimentary member popcorn when visiting
myGFC Membership (Advance Online Booking Add-on)
+$15/month per memberDuration: Monthly
Option to reserve tickets in advance and online for myGFC members. Online booking fee will apply for tickets reserved online.
Includes:
- •Ability to reserve tickets in advance and online
myGFC Membership (Bundled)
No additional chargeDuration: Monthly
Allows members to select seats together when watching movies with someone.
Includes:
- •Ability to select seats together
Complimentary myGFC Membership
FreeDuration: N/A
Be among the first to hear about new programs and series and receive access to selected programs.
Includes:
- •Access to selected programs
- •Updates on new programs and series
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
The Ice Tower
2025
General Admission
Jeanne, a 15-year-old orphan, witnesses the shoot for a film adaptation of the fairy tale The Snow Queen, and she becomes fascinated by its star, Cristina, an actress who is just as mysterious and alluring as the Queen she is playing. | Country: France, Germany, Italy | Language: French, English
Taylor Swift | The Official Release Party of a Showgirl
2025
General Admission
And, baby, that’s show business for you.
Anemone
2025
General Admission
Explores the complex and profound ties that exist between brothers, fathers, and sons. | Country: United Kingdom, United States | Language: English
One Battle After Another
2025
General Admission
Some search for battle, others are born into it… The latest from acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson. | Country: United States | Language: English, Spanish
Good Boy
2025
General Admission
“One of the best horror films so far this year.” World Premiere, SXSW Film Festival. | Country: United States | Language: English
Eleanor the Great
2025
General Admission
Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut starring June Squibb (Thelma). World Premiere, Cannes Film Festival 2025. | Country: United States | Language: English
Bone Lake
2025
General Admission
A couple’s vacation at a secluded estate is upended when they’re forced to share the mansion with a mysterious couple. A dream getaway spirals into a nightmarish maze of sex, lies, and manipulation, triggering a battle for survival. | Country: United States | Language: English
The Smashing Machine
2025
General Admission
The unforgettable true story of a UFC legend. Golden Lion Nominee, Venice Film Festival 2025. | Country: United States, Japan, Canada | Language: English
Souleymane's Story
2025
General Admission
A Paris food delivery cyclist and asylum seeker named Souleymane has two days to prepare his story for a make-or-break interview to secure legal residency. | Country: France | Language: French, Fulah, Malinka
Plainclothes
2025
General Admission
A promising undercover agent assigned to lure and arrest gay men defies professional orders when he falls in love with a target. | Country: United States, United Kingdom | Language: English
Hitchcocktober 2025: Strangers on a Train (1951) 4K Restoration
2025 (as part of Hitchcocktober)
General Admission for 4K Restoration
A deranged socialite accosts a tennis star with his theory that if two strangers trade murders, they can disguise their motives and avoid suspicion. | Country: United States | Language: English
Coyotes
2025
General Admission
Trapped in their Hollywood Hills home, a family fights for survival when caught between a raging wildfire and a pack of savage coyotes. | Country: United States | Language: English
Innocence (2004)
Oct 4
General Admission
A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant (2025)
Oct 4
General Admission
Hitchcocktober 2025: Rear Window (1954) 4K Restoration
Oct 5
General Admission for 4K Restoration
Are We Good? (2025)
Oct 5
General Admission
Hitchcocktober 2025: The Birds (1963) 4K Restoration
Oct 8
General Admission for 4K Restoration
Orwell: 2+2=5 (2025)
Oct 9
General Admission
Kiss of the Spider Woman (2025)
Oct 9
General Admission
Deathstalker (2025)
Oct 9
General Admission
Perfect Blue (1997) 4K Restoration
Oct 10
General Admission for 4K Restoration
A House of Dynamite (2025)
Oct 10
General Admission
The Librarians (2025)
Oct 9
General Admission
Fairyland (2025)
Oct 10
General Admission
Fright Club Live: Chain Reactions (2025)
Oct 10
General Admission
Chain Reactions (2025)
Oct 11
General Admission
Hitchcocktober 2025: North by Northwest (1959) 4K Restoration
Oct 12
General Admission for 4K Restoration
Battle Royale (2000) 25th Anniversary Screenings
Oct 12
General Admission
Ballad of a Small Player (2025)
Oct 15
General Admission
Hitchcocktober 2025: The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) 4K Restoration
Oct 15
General Admission for 4K Restoration
Black Phone 2 (2025)
Oct 16
General Admission
Soul of a Nation (2025)
Oct 17
General Admission
Hitchcocktober 2025: To Catch a Thief (1955) 4K Restoration
Oct 17
General Admission for 4K Restoration
Urchin (2025)
Oct 16
General Admission
Hitchcocktober 2025: Vertigo (1958) 4K Restoration
Oct 19
General Admission for 4K Restoration
Hitchcocktober 2025: Shadow of a Doubt (1943) 4K Restoration
Oct 22
General Admission for 4K Restoration
Queens of the Dead (2025)
Oct 23
General Admission
National Theatre Live: Mrs. Warren's Profession (2025)
Oct 23
General Admission (Stage and Screen Presentation pricing may apply)
Frankenstein (2025)
Oct 23
General Admission
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (2025)
Oct 24
General Admission
Hitchcocktober 2025: Rope (1948) 4K Restoration
Oct 24
General Admission for 4K Restoration
Halloween (1978)
Oct 24
General Admission
Saturday Morning Cartoons 2025: Halloween Edition
Oct 25
General Admission
Halloween themed cartoon screening.
Hitchcocktober 2025: Psycho (1960) 4K Restoration
Oct 26
General Admission for 4K Restoration
Bugonia (2025)
Oct 31
General Admission
The Phantom of the Opera (1925) with Live Orchestra - 100th Anniversary Screening
Oct 31
General Admission (Special presentation pricing may apply)
🍎Food Policy
- • The Festival Lounge offers a casual dining option inside the Film Center.
- • The Festival Lounge features local selections and an all-vegetarian menu.
- • myGFC members receive special pricing in the Center’s food and beverage concepts and a complimentary member popcorn.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Stay home if you are not feeling well.
- • Masks are optional for all visitors.
- • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds; hand sanitizer stations are available.
- • Updated cleaning procedures implemented to mitigate virus spread.
- • MERV-13 filters installed in HVAC system (adheres to OSU guidelines).
- • Vacuum cleaners are equipped with HEPA filters.
- • Increased frequency of cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces (door handles, handrails, water fountains, condiment stations, countertops).
- • For questions or concerns regarding health and safety protocols, email safety@gatewayfilmcenter.org.
📅Booking Policy
- • Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the Ticket Center.
- • Advance ticket purchase is recommended for speed of service and limited contact.
- • myGFC members can reserve seats at the Ticket Center on the day of the screening.
- • myGFC members have an option to reserve tickets in advance and online for an additional $15/month per member, with an online booking fee applied.
🚗Parking Information
- • South Campus Gateway parking garage (next door, operated by Campus Parc) available.
- • $2 parking validation with movie ticket, valid until 4:00am in the garage.
- • On OSU Home Football Game Days: Garage is 'Event Access'. Tell attendant you are there for a movie at Film Center for free entry.
- • Free Street Parking available on 9th Avenue, 11th Avenue, and Indianola Avenue (with street sweeping exceptions).
- • Street sweeping schedule (April 1-November 1): North and east sides swept 2nd Thursday/month; South and west sides swept 2nd Friday/month. Parking in these areas on sweep days may result in towing.
- • Metered Street Parking available via ParkColumbus app.
What People Say
What's Great
- Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 6 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Meghan T.
a week agoI used to love going to Gateway, but the theater experience there has gone down so much. I know being around campus means you get a lot of students going there, but when the theater is almost entirely filled with people on their phones, talking loudly about everything happening in the movie, kicking seats, and clearly smoking *in the theater* it really makes trying to actually enjoy the movie impossible. We spoke with staff and nothing happened so this continued through the entire movie. I won’t be coming back, not until classes are out at the very least if I come back at all.
Mia Strohecker
6 months agoGateway is my go-to theater as a student at Ohio State. I have been to multiple showings and always have a good time. In this post, I would like to spend time addressing the theaters accessibility and room for improvement. For accessible parking, there is a parking garage next to Gateway located 3 minutes away which makes accessing the building convenient for everyone. Gateway also has accommodations such as closed captioning and assistive listening systems available. However, one thing that I have noticed is that the theater is particularly loud. Though this is expected at a theater, it seems louder than the others I have been to. You can hear the other screening rooms next to yours at times. When you enter the gateway, there are two sets of doors. On the left side, there is a power-assisted door. When you first enter, there are large steps as well as escalators. The elevator is a bit hidden since it is not in view. It is located on your left side as you enter. Staff is very accommodating as I have overheard conversations among staff and guests concerning the assistive listening systems when I come to the theater. Once you are in the theater, there are big number signs that are well lit to indicate your screening room. The screening room door handles are considerably long, which makes opening the door accessible for persons who use wheelchairs. Though, the doors are heavier and are not power assisted. When you enter the screening room, it is very dark. In some screening rooms, you have to turn to the right or left after you enter, which could be difficult for those with visual impairments as it is not lit enough to clearly see the black wall before you turn into the room. In the screening room there is an area in the front row for those who use wheel chairs with two theater seats on both sides of the row. However this is not perfect, Gateway still acknowledges the need for wheelchair access and having additionally seating to support integration. There are steps on both sides of the seating area that are lit by the steps. Though, the theater’s lighting is still pretty dark before the movie starts, which could make it difficult for those with visual impairments who may need more light to see clearly. The steps also have a platform/landing area that could be misleading for persons with a visual impairment. Overall, Gateway is a great choice to view a movie of your choice! There is always room for improvement when it comes to making our world more accessible for everyone.
Jillian Finkel
a month agoMy most favorite theater of them all. Get the membership. Impeccable, clean, comfy seats. Great audio. Coolest, kindest staff. Yummy popcorn and great mock/cocktails. Well-curated showings. Special features, throwbacks, all the hottest new films, award season picks, international representation. A film-lover's dream. I love you, GFC!
Dylan Dimmick
11 months agoVery neat and clean theater. From what I can tell they do more artsy kind of films. They have two bars one has cocktails and the other to get your snacks and sodas. You get to choose your seats in the theater and they are nice leather seats.
Kayla Ferryman
2 years agoWent and seen the Evil Dead roses and it was a cool movie theater ! They sell art in there and it’s creative! Only issue I have is that the seats don’t recline so I was a bit comfortable being a tall woman that couldn’t really stretch my legs out. But other than that it’s super cool!