22-05-2025
Paramount Theatre's summer film series returns
The Paramount Theatre's annual summer classic film series kicks off Thursday for its 51st year with 100 films from every era in cinema history — all screening at the historic 110-year-old downtown theater.
Why it matters: During the Texas summer, it's hard to beat sitting in the air-conditioned dark, munching on popcorn and staring up at the big screen.
What they're saying: "This year's lineup offers something for every film lover, from rare 70mm presentations to beloved classics celebrating significant anniversaries," Stephen Jannise, senior director of film programming at the Paramount, said in a news release.
The movies are as diverse as "Boogie Nights" and "Dr. Strangelove," "The Big Lebowski" and "Working Girl," "Selena" and "All the President's Men."
Fun favorites include "Miss Congeniality" and "Clueless."
On June 11, novelist Katherine Center will join Austin actors Jared and Genevieve Padalecki for a special "Rom Com Night" and conversation, followed by a screening of the Rob Reiner romance classic "When Harry Met Sally."
What's next: The series begins with Thursday's double feature of "Casablanca" at 7pm and "Breathless" at 9pm.
On Saturday, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez will offer an in-person introduction of two 40th anniversary favorites, Martin Scorsese's "After Hours" and the rarely seen gem "Into the Night" starring Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Pfeiffer, and David Bowie.
"The Empire Strikes Back," arguably the best Star Wars movie, screens Sunday at 3pm. Other movies earmarked as the family film series this summer include "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," "Matilda," "The Goonies" and "The Sound of Music."
If you go: Admission is $15 — including a $3 preservation fee for the theater — which covers both films in a double-feature.
