San Francisco’s landmark Castro Theatre — one of California’s most storied movie palaces and a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ cultural life — is set to welcome audiences back this month after a sweeping $41 million restoration.
The reopening marks a major moment not just for San Francisco, but for film lovers and LGBTQ+ communities across the state who have long viewed the Castro as a beacon of queer cinema, activism, and community gathering.
The theater will officially reopen on Saturday, Feb. 6, with a sold‑out community celebration hosted by the Castro Community Benefit District. It will be the venue’s first public event since 2024, ushering in what operators describe as a “new era” for the century‑old movie palace.
Here’s what to know about the historic theater’s reopening.
Other events coming soon to Castro Theatre
The theater will host a second sold-out “Community Opening” on Sunday, Feb. 7, dubbed “D’Arcy’s Drag & Disco.” The celebration — considered the “soft launch” of the Castro — will feature live DJs, go-go dancers, and pop-up drag performances from Bay Area entertainers.
After that event, Grammy Award-winning singer Sam Smith will launch his 20-night “To Be Free: San Francisco Residency” at the Castro beginning Feb. 10. His performances wrap up on March 14 and are all sold out.
On Feb. 12, A24’s sold-out San Francisco premiere of the studio’s upcoming film, “PILLION,” will fill the Castro as the venue’s first official post-restoration premiere.
The BDSM romance film stars Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, both of whom will attend the San Francisco premiere. The film is directed by London-based writer-director Harry Lighton.
Check out the Castro’s full lineup for more events currently scheduled through November 2026, including an April screening of “The Princess Bride” as a tribute to the legacy of Rob Reiner and a two-night stint from the Indigo Girls in May.
The history of the Castro Theatre
The Castro Theatre was built in 1922. Its interior was designed by prominent San Francisco architect Timothy Pfleuger, with architectural influences from Spanish, Asian, Italian, and Art Deco styles.
On its 100th anniversary in 2022, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Castro was the oldest continuously operating single-screen theatre in San Francisco.
In 2022, Another Planet Entertainment entered into a partnership with the venue, which led to its $41 million rehabilitation. The theater closed for renovations in March 2024.
While seating remains for screenings and comedy shows, the Castro’s overhaul includes new standing-room space for live music — a first for the venue — as it looks to expand its entertainment offerings in its glow-up era.
Other upgrades patrons will discover at the Castro include:
According to a press release, the Castro’s renovations were designed to “ensure this cultural gem will continue to serve as an inclusive global beacon for cultural expression to be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Will the Castro Theater host Frameline this year?
Yes. Frameline50 — the 50th San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival — will return to the Castro Theatre in 2026.
According to multiple festival announcements, Frameline will hold screenings at the Castro across two blocks of dates: June 17–21 and June 25–27, 2026, as part of an 11‑day festival held throughout San Francisco and Oakland.
Information: https://www.frameline.org/festival
(A photo has been added to this story.)
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Castro Theatre reopens after $41M renovation, Frameline set to return
Reporting by Monica Garske, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
