Chico is currently home to only two movie theaters, although there have been others that have come and gone. Currently, if you want to catch a mainstream Hollywood movie, you will need to go to Cinemark 14 at the North Valley Plaza. If your interests are more independent and/or foreign films, the Pageant Theater will be the place to check out. If you find the whole movie-going experience too expensive, there are several video stores in town where you can rent a movie to watch at home.

Prior to the building of Cinemark 14, South Chico had Movies 10 which was a ten screen multiplex that closed in 2000 and was bought by Calvary Chapel of Chico and converted into their church. In addition, right across the street from the Old Mall (currently Butte Bible Fellowship) was Cinema 3, a three screen movie theater that was very popular in its day. Chico also was home to two smaller theaters that are still used for other entertainment purposes such as live concerts - El Rey Theater and Senator Theater. Until 1985, Chico also was home to Starlite Drive-In out on Midway.