11 Abandoned Theaters and Opera Houses Frozen in Time

2. RKO Proctor’s Theatre – Newark, New Jersey, USA

In its heyday, RKO Proctor’s Theatre was the crown jewel of downtown Newark—a gilded palace of cinema where locals dressed to the nines to catch the latest films or vaudeville acts under glittering chandeliers. Built in the 1910s and later operated by the famed RKO Pictures, the theater was part of a national circuit that brought elegance and escapism to urban centers across America. With its grand marquee, sweeping staircase, and elaborately detailed plasterwork, Proctor’s was more than a movie house—it was an experience. But as Newark's fortunes shifted and multiplexes took over, the theater fell into decline. It officially closed its doors in the late 1980s, leaving its opulent interiors to time and decay. Today, behind its fading façade and boarded windows lies a forgotten wonder: faded murals, velvet curtains hanging in tatters, and seats still bolted in place, facing a crumbling stage. While efforts to revive the space have been discussed over the years, RKO Proctor’s remains eerily frozen—a ghostly reminder of a golden age when going to the movies felt like stepping into a dream.