Before the lights go out and the scaffolding goes up, downtown Austin's Paramount Theatre is throwing itself a proper big-screen farewell. The historic movie palace is easing into a major renovation with an opening weekend packed with 35mm favorites, an 85th-anniversary screening of The Maltese Falcon, a Casablanca double bill, and a family-friendly Spy Kids celebration complete with a live performance from Robert Rodriguez’s own family band. A matinee preview on April 25 gives fans an early taste of the Summer Classic Film Series before the house goes dark for construction in June.
Sneak Preview And Opening Dates
At 3 p.m. on April 25, the Paramount will roll film on Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi as a one-off matinee preview of the season. According to the Paramount Theatre's event page, the full Summer Classic Film Series officially launches on Friday, May 22, with a lineup built around double bills, rare prints, and family programming. Tickets for both the preview and opening shows are available through the theater's box office and online ticket portal.
Classics On Celluloid
The new season leans hard into the old-school experience. On Friday, Casablanca shares a double bill with The Maltese Falcon, both screened in 35mm. Sunday keeps the film-nerd energy going with 35mm presentations of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window and David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive. The carefully curated prints and double-feature structure are designed to recreate the classic moviegoing vibe. As reported by The Austin Chronicle, the program places special emphasis on rare formats and milestone anniversary screenings.
Spy Kids Turns 25
Saturday, May 23, belongs to the Cortez family. The Paramount is dedicating the day to a 25th-anniversary screening of Spy Kids, followed by a live set billed as a performance by Robert Rodriguez’s Family Spy Band, according to local listings on CultureMap. The film recently picked up the Star of Texas award at the 2026 Texas Film Awards, a recognition listed on the Austin Film Society awards page. Local coverage has framed the Paramount’s Spy Kids party as part of a larger yearlong push to spotlight Austin-made and Austin-connected movies.
Renovation And Where Films Will Play
The Summer Classic run doubles as a cinematic curtain call. The Austin Theatre Alliance's SHINE ON capital campaign has set a $65 million target, with $55 million earmarked for construction and $10 million for an endowment, and the Paramount is scheduled to close in June for roughly eight to nine months while restoration work is underway. In a press release, the alliance said Paramount-produced programming will continue at partner venues around Austin during construction, and the neighboring State Theatre will pick up additional shows. Campaign materials outline plans for new custom seating, improved ADA access, and a long-envisioned third-floor lounge, all aimed at preserving the building’s historic character while updating the behind-the-scenes infrastructure. Full design details are included in the SHINE ON materials.
Tickets And Practical Info
Regular admission for classic screenings is $15, which includes a $3 preservation fee. Family-series child tickets for ages 12 and under are $9, and Film Fan Club members pay $11, per the theater's ticketing page. The site also lists parking voucher options, double-feature policies, and direct buy links for each show. If your movie habit needs a new home while the Paramount is closed, organizers note that select programs will appear at partner locations around downtown Austin during the renovation period.
“Making memories at the Paramount and State Theatres has been a rite of passage for six generations,” Jim Ritts, CEO of the Austin Theatre Alliance, said in the SHINE ON announcement. The campaign calls on the community to help fund the restoration and notes that artisans are already at work hand-restoring lobby and ceiling details. For the full film lineup, ticket information, and renovation updates, the alliance directs audiences to the Paramount's event calendar and the SHINE ON press materials.
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