Escape the Heat With a Summer of Classic Movies at the Paramount Theatre

During the summer in Austin, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities to take advantage of. However, everyone has their limit when it comes to triple-digit heat, and sometimes, a little AC and a good movie are exactly what’s needed. Thankfully, the Paramount Theatre is back with its annual Summer Classic Film Series, featuring nearly 100 films between May 22 and Labor Day weekend.

This year’s series carries special significance, as the early weeks mark some of the final chances to see a film inside the historic Paramount Theatre before it closes in mid-June for its first major renovation in more than 50 years. Still, Austin’s summer film tradition will continue uninterrupted, with screenings moving to the State Theatre and, for the first time, the Bullock Museum IMAX Theatre, the biggest screen in Texas.

Now in its 52nd year, the series has grown far beyond its humble beginnings in 1975, when it was launched as a way to save the historic theater. This year’s opening night double feature sets the tone: the ever-iconic “Casablanca” followed by a 85th anniversary screening of John Huston’s “The Maltese Falcon” in 35mm.

Other highlights include a 90th anniversary screening of “Modern Times” on July 19, and 35mm presentation of “Singin’ in the Rain” on June 11.

Here are more films on Paramount Theatre’s lineup this summer to look forward to:

The Majestic Ball & Queer Cinema Week

Drag legends Diamond Dior Davenport and Shea Coulée take over the Paramount for the fifth annual Majestic Ball on June 6. Leading up to the event, the theatre will host a performance from internationally acclaimed poet, comedian, public speaker and actor Alok Vaid-Menon on June 4 and a 35mm presentation of “Rent“ (2005) on June 5.

Hitchcock month

The Master of Suspense returns to the big screen throughout July. This year’s slate includes anniversary screenings of “Notorious” (80th) and “Strangers on a Train” (75th), along with “Vertigo,” “Shadow of a Doubt” and “The Birds.”

Robert Rodriguez Presents “Spy Kids”

The Paramount will celebrate the 25th anniversary of “Spy Kids” on Saturday, May 23, with a birthday party fit for the beloved Austin-made family adventure. Robert Rodriguez will return to the Paramount stage for a special introduction of the film, followed by a live concert with Rodriguez’s Family Spy Band.

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair

The Paramount Theatre and Hyperreal Film Club will present the fifth annual Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair from June 3–9 in partnership with the American Cinematheque. The series brings together powerful films from around the world that examine grief, alienation, fear and human darkness with honesty and empathy, including “The Master,” “Aftersun,” “Perfect Blue,” “Where the Wild Things Are,” “The Virgin Suicides,” “Taste of Cherry” and a double feature of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” and “Eraserhead.”

Themed Programming

• Affairs to Remember: “Moulin Rouge!” (35mm, 25th anniversary), “In the Mood for Love,” “Romeo + Juliet” (1996, 30th anniversary), “The Worst Person in the World” and “Pillion”
• Shot in Texas: “Spy Kids,” “Lone Star” (1996, 35mm, 30th anniversary), “The Last Picture Show” and “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure”
• We’re Being Watched: “Rear Window” (35mm), “The Truman Show” (35mm), “Blow-Up” and “Blow Out”
• Crowd Pleasers: “Creed” (35mm), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (35mm) and “Singin’ in the Rain” (35mm)
• You Just Have to Laugh: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” “Spring Breakers,” “Daisies” and “Idiocracy”
• Soundtrack(s) of Our Lives: “O Brother, Where Art Thou?,” “Harold and Maude,” “Purple Rain,” “Trainspotting” (30th anniversary) and “Juice”
• Sleepaway Camp: The Midnight Mass Experience: Peaches Christ, Felissa Rose and Michael Varratti host an unforgettable show featuring “Sleepaway Camp”
• DCOM Double Features: “Josie and the Pussycats” (25th anniversary) + “The Cheetah Girls” and “Grease” + “High School Musical” (20th anniversary)
• (More) Crowd Pleasers: “Mamma Mia!,” “Father of the Bride” (35th anniversary) and “Jerry Maguire” (30th anniversary)
• Crime Doesn’t Pay: “Goodfellas,” “Fargo” (30th anniversary), “Thief” (45th anniversary) and “Drive”
• Debuts: “Reservoir Dogs,” “Bottle Rocket” (30th anniversary) and “Boyz n the Hood” (35th anniversary)
• Back to School: “Bring It On,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (40th anniversary), “Whiplash” and “But I’m a Cheerleader”
• Double the Intrigue: “Hero” + “Lady Snowblood” and “Letty Lynton” + “Phantom Lady”

Family film series

Discounted tickets for kids 12 and under make this series a great summer activity for families. Highlights include “Beauty and the Beast” (1991), “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Monsters, Inc.” (25th anniversary), “Space Jam” (30th anniversary), “Coco,” and more.

Explore the full lineup and grab tickets at austintheatre.org/film, or pick up a FLIX-TIX pack for discounted entry to ten screenings.

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