HOUSTON — The River Oaks Theatre, a historic landmark that a lot of Houstonians hated to see go when it closed in 2021, is reopening soon!
In a social media post on Monday, the theatre announced its reboot will be on Thursday, October 3.
Editor's note: The above video originally aired in March 2021
They're celebrating the opening by giving away custom gold coins to everybody who attends a movie that day.
"In the early 20th century, movie theaters customarily gave the first guest who watched a film a gift of gold. This tradition was said to bring good luck and property to the theater," they posted on Facebook.
The first movie shown will be "Joker: Folie à Deux" starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. It's "pretty much sold out" and so is the 8 p.m. screening of "In the Summers." They still had seats available for the 10:45 p.m. show at last check.
River Oaks Theatre history
The small, two-screen theater was loved by movie buffs for its indie films, film festivals and recurring classics like "Rocky Horror Picture Show." Moviegoers also appreciated the upstairs bar and theater-style seating before both became popular attractions at larger theaters.
Built in 1939, the theater on West Gray features an Art Deco design and old-school marquee.
Empty seats during the pandemic and failed negotiations with its landlord forced the theater to close three years ago and many feared it would be demolished.
A locally-owned hospitality group, Culinary Khancepts, took over the lease in 2022. They announced the theater would undergo a "full facelift" to prepare for its reboot.
"We felt as Houston’s only owned and operated cinema companies that it was our duty to save this masterpiece," Omar Khan, President and CEO of River Oaks Theatre, said in 2023.
Upgrades include a new roof, a full kitchen and a "carefully curated" wine and cocktail menu.
The types of movies featured in the past are also on the menu, but that's not all.
"The River Oaks Theater will not only offer the best of art house films but will also bring live performances to the venue for theatre arts enthusiasts to enjoy," Khan said.
"We are currently looking for musicians, comedians, dancers, performers, and cool acts of all shapes and sizes for shows beginning this fall and beyond," the theater posted in August.