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, and this year’s lineup offers the perfect escape from the Texas sun. With 100 films showing between May 22 and Labor Day Weekend, the series offers a cool escape from the heat and a chance to revisit decades of movie magic.

Now in its 51st 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 65th anniversary screening of Jean-Luc Godard’s “Breathless” in 35mm.

Other highlights include a 45th anniversary screening of “The Empire Strikes Back” and a 35mm showing of “There Will Be Blood” on May 25, and a Christopher Guest double feature, “Best in Show” and “Waiting for Guffman,” on May 28.

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 Kennedy Davenport take over the Paramount for the fourth annual Majestic Ball on June 21. Leading up to the event, the theatre will host a weeklong celebration of queer cinema, including “Call Me By Your Name,” “Happy Together,” “God’s Own Country,” “Pariah,” “Rafiki” and “Femme.”

Hitchcock month (7/1–7/30)

The Master of Suspense returns to the big screen throughout August. Expect anniversary screenings of To Catch a Thief (70th), Rebecca (85th), Psycho (65th), and a 70mm presentation of North by Northwest.

Robert Rodriguez Presents

Austin’s own Robert Rodriguez returns to the Paramount this summer with a curated slate of double features, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from filmmakers he admires and films that have inspired his own work. It all starts on May 24 with a 40th anniversary pairing of Martin Scorsese’s “After Hours” and John Landis’ cult classic “Into the Night” on May 24.

The series continues on June 15 with the fantasy-action combo of “Highlander” and “The Untouchables,” followed by a moody 35mm pairing on June 28 featuring “Ladyhawke” and “The Hitcher.” In August, Rodriguez hosts a high-octane double feature of “Robocop” and “Starship Troopers,” and closes out the summer on August 31 with a back-to-back screening of “Kill Bill Vol. 1” and “Kill Bill Vol. 2.”

Rare formats + cult favorites

This year includes three rare 70mm screenings (Phantom Thread, 2001: A Space Odyssey, North by Northwest) and 21 others in 35mm. Celebrate anniversaries with Barry Lyndon, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Grey Gardens, Cooley High, Shampoo, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure and The Goonies, all returning to the big screen. Browse the lineup by theme here.

Themed Programming

• Potent Quotables: Dr. Strangelove, Sunset Blvd. (35mm), The Big Lebowski
  
• Love Stories: Ghost, Body Heat (35mm), Working Girl
  
• Squad Goals: The Magnificent Seven, Boogie Nights (35mm), Mamma Mia!
  
• Big Swings: Zodiac, Unbreakable, Strange Days (35mm), Mars Attacks! (35mm)
  
• For the 90s Kids: Mrs. Doubtfire, Friday + House Party (both 35mm)
  
• True Stories: Selena, All the President’s Men (35mm), The Social Network
  
• Back to School: Clueless, Legally Blonde, Cry-Baby, Welcome to the Dollhouse (35mm)

Family film series

Discounted tickets for kids 12 and under make this series a great summer activity for families. Highlights include “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Toy Story” + “A Goofy Movie,” “Matilda,” “Jumanji,” The Sandlot,” and “The Sound of Music and Babe.”

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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