[2] The first theater in Florida equipped to show talking pictures, it opened in March 1927 in the Five Points district of the Riverside and Avondale neighborhood.

[7][6] In 2010 the Theatre shifted to an "art house" format, with foreign, independent and classic films, late night movies, and special events and concerts.

Massett, a Jacksonville native who managed a movie theater in Minnesota, raised $102,450 via online crowdsourcing and private loans.

[1] In addition to traditional movie fare plus beer and wine, they also serve sandwiches, hummus, site-made pizza with unusual toppings (such as kimchi, sauerkraut and sriracha sauce) and baked goods.

[12] In 2016, PETA ranked Sun-Ray Cinema as the number one theater for people who do not eat animal products, since the menu includes multiple vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

[13] In 2024, the building was sold to Atlanta developer Union South Partners for $7 million, who refused to renew the lease of theater owners Tim and Shana Massett.