The Greenbelt is located in the business center of the planned community of Greenbelt. It opened on September 21, 1938. The opening attraction was "Little Miss Broadway", with Shirley Temple. Admission was 30 cents for adults and 15 cents for children. In those days movies would premiere in one of the large downtown Washington theatres and would play the Greenbelt three to six weeks later.

The original seating capacity was 590. There is a circular iron stairway that leads to the projection booth. There is also a stage. The Greenbelt closed as a movie theatre in 1976, but was reopened as a community arts center between 1980 and 1987. Paul Sanchez, owner of P & G Theatres, reopened the Greenbelt as a movie theatre in 1990. All new projection equipment and a state of the art Dolby stereo sound system was installed along with a much larger 40' Cinemascope screen. The Old Greenbelt is one of the last full-sized movie theatres where one can see films as they were meant to be seen.

(The above facts were taken from the book; "MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITION IN WASHINGTON, D.C. An illustrated History of Parlors, Palaces and Multiplexes in the Metropolitan Area. 1804-1997, by Robert K. Headley, McFarland & Co. Inc. Jefferson, N.C. Phone: 1 800 253 2187) (This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in old movie theatres. It is packed with rare photographs and info.)