The Rialto Theatre was used for the exterior shots of the Stab movie screening in Scream 2. Though it no longer operates as a full-time cinema, its vintage ......
The Rialto Theater, nestled in the heart of Hollywood, has been a staple of the film industry since its opening in 1925. However, it's not just its rich history that draws attention; it's also the eerie connection to the iconic horror film, "Scream 2". Let's delve into the story behind this chilling link.
Originally built as a silent film palace, the Rialto Theater has seen its fair share of Hollywood glamour. Designed by architect Lewis A. Smith, the theater boasts a stunning Spanish Gothic exterior and an ornate interior adorned with intricate murals and sculptures. Despite facing closure in the 1980s, the Rialto was saved by a group of dedicated preservationists and continues to operate today, hosting a mix of classic films, independent releases, and special events.
In 1997, Wes Craven's "Scream 2" hit theaters, becoming an instant classic in the horror genre. The film, a sequel to the groundbreaking "Scream", features a memorable scene set in a movie theater. The theater used in the film? None other than the Rialto Theater.

The scene in question involves a group of college students attending a screening of the fictional film "Stab", a meta-movie within the "Scream" universe. As the audience watches the on-screen violence unfold, a masked killer begins picking off the real-life theatergoers one by one. The scene is a masterclass in tension and suspense, and the Rialto Theater's grand interior provides the perfect backdrop for the chilling events.
The Rialto Theater's appearance in "Scream 2" was not a one-off. The theater has since become a recurring location in the "Scream" franchise, appearing in "Scream 3" and "Scream 4". In each film, the Rialto serves as a symbol of the characters' connection to the past, as well as a physical manifestation of the horror that continues to haunt them.
Today, the Rialto Theater continues to operate as a single-screen cinema, offering a unique and historic movie-going experience. While the theater may not be as grand as it once was, its connection to the "Scream" franchise adds an extra layer of intrigue for horror fans. Who knows? You might even catch a "Scream" marathon during your visit.

The Rialto Theater's connection to the "Scream" franchise is just one chapter in its long and storied history. Throughout the years, the theater has hosted countless film premieres, industry events, and even live performances. Its walls have witnessed the evolution of cinema, from the silent era to the digital age, and its future promises to be just as exciting.
<strong>Scream 2 | Filming Locations - HelloSidney.com</strong><p>The Rialto Theatre was used for the exterior shots of the Stab movie screening in Scream 2. Though it no longer operates as a full-time cinema, its vintage ...</p>
<strong>Scream 2 | Film Locations - Movie Locations</strong><p>The cinema frontage is the Rialto Theatre, 1023 South Fair Oaks Avenue, South Pasadena. Currently closed, the Rialto was seen in Robert Altman's The Player, in ...</p>
<strong>Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, CA, Featured in Scream 2 and ...</strong><p>02.11.2024 ... The Rialto Theatre. Seen here in the opening scene of Scream 2 (1997). 1027 Fair Oaks Ave. South Pasadena, CA 91030 · No photo description ...</p>
<strong>Scream 2 locations! (Part 1 of 2) - Reddit</strong><p>06.02.2026 ... The Rialto was used for exteriors and lobby filming while The Vista Theatre was used for the theatre the movie is playing in. In the first few ...</p>
<strong>Historic L.A. Theatres Appearing in Movies: "Scream 2"</strong><p>18.09.2017 ... We see a lot of the Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena at the beginning of Wes Craven's "Scream 2" with Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Liev Schreiber and Jada ...</p>
<strong>Exploring Filming Locations of Scream 2 | TikTok</strong><p>03.03.2025 ... ... provide factual context. If you think it may contain an error, please report at: Feedback and help - TikTok · Ghostface · Rialto Theatre.</p>
<strong>Rialto Theatre (South Pasadena, California) - Wikipedia</strong><p>... Scream 2 (1997). References. edit. ↑ Robert F. Shryock (November 17, 1977). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Rialto Theatre".</p>
<strong>The L.A. Filming Locations of “Scream 2” - IAMNOTASTALKER</strong><p>21.10.2016 ... 1. Rialto Theatre (1023 Fair Oaks Avenue, South Pasadena) – Scream 2 opens upon a chaotic scene at a sneak preview of Stab – the franchise's ...</p>
<strong>Scream 2 (1997) - Filming & production - IMDb</strong><p>Filming locations: Rialto Theatre - 1023 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, South Pasadena, California, USA (movie premiere)</p>
<strong>Scream 2 (1997) - Set-Jetter</strong><p>24.10.2016 ... We start at the Rialto Theatre, located at 1023 Fair Oaks Avenue in South Pasadena, California. Although it has been closed since 2007, there are plans to ...</p>
<strong>Historic RIALTO THEATRE - SCREAM 2 Opening - Elm Street 4</strong><p>27.10.2022 ... Today we are checking out the historic and haunted Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, Ca. A reportedly haunted theatre with much history!</p>
<strong>Scream 2 facts and trivia from an old site! - Ghostface.co.uk</strong><p>13.11.2008 ... Kevin Williamson named the Rialto theater after the theater in his hometown where he watched horror movies growing up. His TV series ...</p>
<strong>Rialto Theater | Dawson's Creek Wiki - Fandom</strong><p>Williamson previously used the name for the theatre in the opening scene of Scream 2 (1997), a film he wrote and executive produced, also featuring a cameo from ...</p>
<strong>SCREAM 2 (1997) - Horror Explorer</strong><p>24.05.2022 ... SCREAM 2 (1997) Movie Location: Movie Theatre Filming Location: Rialto Theatre 1023 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena, CA 91030 Date of Photos: August 2022</p>
<strong>Scream 2 - Area Thirty-Three</strong><p>In Stab, the film playing in the theatre at the beginning of SCREAM 2 ... The premiere of Stab in the film was shot at The Rialto Theater in South Pasadena, ...</p>
<strong>Scream 2 | This theater was a location used for the 1997 mov… - Flickr</strong><p>This theater was a location used for the 1997 movie "Scream 2" (top). The Rialto Theater is on Fair Oaks Ave in South Pasadena.</p>
<strong>Things you caught during Scream 2 theater viewing? - Reddit</strong><p>11.10.2022 ... - I know people have noticed CiCi eating pizza in living room while there's a "Do Not Eat" sign on the wall, but there's also a bag of chips and ...</p>
<strong>Scream 2 Film Locations</strong><p>17.03.2016 ... Locations: Rialto Theatre - 1023 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, South Pasadena, California, USA (Movie Theater) Google Maps Co-ordinates: 34.114022, ...</p>
<strong>Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, California, Film Location History</strong><p>03.05.2024 ... The opening scenes in "Scream 2" (1997) had the exteriors shot at the Rialto Theater in Pasadena (Fair Oaks Avenue), with Omar Epps and Jada ...</p>
<strong>Complete Guide to the Mask Types Used in Scream 2 (1997)</strong><p>20.12.2020 ... We then go into the auditorium of the Rialto Theater where we will see the most Ghostface masks seen on screen in any of the films. They are ...</p>