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Mississippi Movie Theatres

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Elkin Theater
Aberdeen, MS
The Elkin Theatre was designed by Robert Boller and opened in 1937. It is now used for movies, events, and live performances. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Saenger Theater
Biloxi, MS
This Saenger Theatre was designed by Roy A. Benjamin and opened in 1929. The theatre closed after a fire in 1974. Shortly afterwards, the theatre was deeded to the City. Renovation has been ongoing since then while the theatre has remained in operation. The sign was replaced with a replica in the late 1990s. The theatre closed in 2018 when it was found to be unsafe. Exterior restoration was completed in 2023. Fundraising is ongoing to restore the interior. For more, see this website. [map]

Brookhaven:
Haven Theatre

Canton Cinema
Canton, MS
The Canton Cinema opened as the Canton Theatre in 1929. It closed in 1969. At some point, the building was renovated and reopened as the Canton Cinema. It has been closed for many years. For more, see this website. [map]

Clarksdale:
Paramount Theatre

Ellis Theater
Cleveland, MS
The Ellis Theater was built in 1938. Around 1970, the interior was converted to a print shop. The "ELLIS" letters were removed from the marquee. In 2003, the city transferred the property to the Delta Arts Alliance. The sign was restored. The building is being renovated as meeting and live performance space. For more, see this website. [map]

Princess Theater
Columbus, MS
The Princess Theater opened in 1924 as a vaudeville house. It later became a movie theatre. The building housed a nightclub from 2008-2020. It was then leased to a church. In 2022, the theatre began featuring live music and other events. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]

Saenger Theater
Hattiesburg, MS
The Saenger Theatre was designed by Emile Weil and opened in 1929. The theatre closed in the mid-1970s. It has been restored and is now used for live performances. The theatre still has the original Robert Morton organ. For more, see this website. [map]

Alamo Theater
Jackson, MS
The Alamo Theater opened in 1942 in a thriving but segregated black neighborhood. It featured African-American films and black performers. The theater closed in the late 1960s and sat vacant for more than 20 years. In 1992, the community began fundraising for restoration. The exterior was in great shape but the interior had to be recreated. The theater reopened in 1997. I believe it housed a church in recent years. It is currently used for private events. For more, see this website. [map]

Laurel:
Strand Theatre [gone]

Temple Theatre
Louisville, MS		 Strand Theatre
Louisville, MS
The Temple Theatre was built in 1930 as part of a Masonic Lodge. It was designed by J.H. Martin. The theatre has been closed since the late 1960s. For more, see this website. [map]

The Strand Theatre was designed by Livingston & Wicker and built in 1927. The symbol at the top of the building is a Native American symbol for medicine. The upper floor was used as a medical clinic before the theatre opened below. The theatre was operating by the 1940s. In recent years, it was used for live performances. It appears to be vacant now. For more, see this website. [map]

Temple Theatre
Meridian, MS
The Temple Theatre was designed by Emile Weil and built from 1923-1927. It opened in 1928. The theatre is now used for movies and live performances. It has the original Robert Morton pipe organ and a ballroom. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more, see this website. [map]

Ritz Theatre
Natchez, MS		 Ellis Theatre
Philadelphia, MS
The Ritz Theatre opened in 1935 and closed around 1986. Around 2000, the roof collapsed. After that, the theatre was donated to the Historic Natchez Foundation. The interior has been gutted and the building remains vacant. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

The Ellis Theatre opened in 1926 as a silent movie house. By 1939, it was known as the Strand Theatre. In 1997, the theatre was restored and renamed the Ellis Theatre. This photo is from 2019. Since 2022, the building has housed Marty Stuart's Congress of Country Music. For more, see this website. [map]

Lyric Theatre
Tupelo, MS
The Lyric Theatre was built in 1912 as The Comos, a vaudeville theatre. In the 1930s, it was converted to a movie house and received this Art Deco makeover. In 1984, the theatre was saved from demolition and restoration began. Today, the building is used by the Tupelo Community Theatre for live performances. By 2013, the building and marquee sign had been repainted. The photos above are from 2019. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]

Ritz Theater
West Point, MS
The Ritz Theatre opened in the 1930s. It closed in the mid-1950s. In 2009, it reopened as the Ritz Theater & Conference Center. It is used as an events space and no longer shows movies. For more, see this website. [map]

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