The indoor portion of Phoenix Theater in Houston will close after a showing on Friday, March 28. The drive-in – one of only a handful remaining in the state – will remain open.
“We know this will be upsetting to many, and it wasn’t an easy decision,” said owners Josh and Jennifer Shelton. “Nothing has been the same with the indoor theater since Covid. Along with that, we also do not have the seating or dining that other theaters offer these days.”
The Sheltons are the 10th owners since the theater opened in 1951.
The closure will allow the owners to focus on updating the drive-in, which they described as a community favorite.
“We hope this will allow us to spend more time and money improving the historic drive-in,” they said.
The building housing the indoor theater will be converted into a private residence.
“This theater has always felt like home to us, and that is exactly what we are going to turn it into.”
To give patrons a final chance to visit, the indoor theater will host free showings throughout March:
- Saturday, March 15: Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)
- Friday, March 21: Avengers (2012)
- Friday, March 28: Homestead (2024)
The 150-car capacity drive-in – on Highway B east of U.S. 63 – will remain open, with the new season beginning April 4.
