Paramount summer film series continues during Austin renovations

Austin moviegoers will get one more stretch of summer films inside the Paramount Theatre before the historic Congress Avenue venue closes for restoration — but the city’s long-running classic film tradition will not stop when construction begins. The 2026 Paramount Summer Classic Film Series runs from May through August, starting May 22 with a 35 mm double feature of “Casablanca” and “The Maltese Falcon” at the Paramount Theatre. This year’s lineup includes 14 movies on 35 mm, special guests and the series’ first screenings at the Bullock Museum IMAX Theatre. The shift comes as the theatre prepares to close in June for a major restoration project. The work is expected to take eight to nine months, while a separate renovation of the neighboring State Theatre is expected to begin in summer 2027 and last 13 to 16 months. For the first few weeks, the series will continue at the Paramount, giving audiences a final chance to watch summer movies there before the downtown theater temporarily closes. After that, screenings move to the State Theatre and the Bullock Museum IMAX Theatre. The Paramount’s public schedule shows “Singin’ in the Rain” on June 11 as one of the final listed Summer Classic Film Series screenings at the Paramount before “Jaws” plays at the Bullock IMAX on June 16 and “Romeo + Juliet” plays at the State Theatre on June 17. The opening weekend includes “Casablanca,” “The Maltese Falcon,” “Rear Window,” “Mulholland Drive” and a 25th anniversary screening of “Spy Kids” presented by Robert Rodriguez. The “Spy Kids” event is scheduled for 3 p.m. May 23 and includes a live performance by Robert Rodriguez’s Family Spy Band. The IMAX screenings include “Jaws” on June 16, “The Wizard of Oz: An IMAX 3D Experience” on June 23 and “2001: A Space Odyssey” on June 30. The rest of the summer lineup spreads across eras and genres. The restoration is part of the Austin Theatre Alliance’s Shine On campaign, a fundraising effort to restore the 110-year-old Paramount Theatre and renovate the 90-year-old State Theatre. The campaign’s goal includes $66 million in construction costs and a $10 million-plus endowment goal. Regular admission is $15 and includes a $3 preservation fee.