Mandan Theater was a former movie theater located at 210 West Main Street in Mandan.
The theater was announced in March 1936. It was built on the site formerly occupied by Orange Grocery and Conyne Jewelry, which were demolished that April. It opened that November screening Shirley Temple in Poor Little Rich Girl.
Jerry Brekke acquired Mandan Theater in 1974 and renovated it at a cost of about $100,000, re-opening as Showboat Cinema that November. Space in an adjoining building was later converted to add a smaller second screen seating 144.
Showboat closed in December 1986 after its last screening Christmas Day. The closure came one month after Bismarck’s Capitol Cinema closed, were both owned by Jerry Brekke, who had opened today’s Grand Theater in 1985. Brekke cited difficulties turning a profit owing to an inability to acquire popular first-run features. Midcontinent Theaters acquired both theaters and re-opened the former Showboat that May as Academy Theater to feature budget “subsequent run” films. It closed the following year.
The building still stands, numerous businesses have occupied it since the theater closed, including such entertainment venues as Mysteria Theater. As of 2023, it houses Strawberry Bar.
