History of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Timeline

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is an American cinema chain established in 1997 in Austin, Texas. It distinguishes itself by offering dinner and drinks service during movie screenings. The chain is also known for its strict enforcement of cinema etiquette. Sony Pictures Experiences acquired Alamo Drafthouse in June 2024.

1985: U.S. Department of Justice Relaxed Ruling Orders

In 1985, the U.S. Department of Justice relaxed enforcement of the United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc. federal ruling orders, which allowed Sony Pictures to previously own the Loews Theatres chain.

1997: Strict No-Talking Policy Adopted

In 1997, Alamo Drafthouse adopted its strict no-talking policy, which could result in ejection from the premises.

1997: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Founded

In 1997, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema was founded in Austin, Texas. It became known for serving dinner and drinks during films and for its strict cinema-going etiquette policy.

2001: Alamo Drafthouse Village Opens

In 2001, the Alamo Drafthouse Village opened in North Austin, specializing in first-run movies. The original downtown location shifted its focus to unusual programming, including classics and special events.

2003: Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek Opens & First Franchise Granted

In 2003, the Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek opened with seven screens dedicated to new movies. In May 2003, the first Alamo Drafthouse franchise opened in Houston, Texas.

July 2004: Brand Sold to Braly, Martin, and Kennedy

In July 2004, Tim and Karrie League sold the Alamo Drafthouse brand to Terrell Braly, John Martin, and David Kennedy, while retaining an irrevocable license for the Austin locations.

August 2004: Alamo Drafthouse Westlakes Opens

In August 2004, the second-largest Alamo Drafthouse (Westlakes) opened in San Antonio, Texas, with eight screens.

February 2005: New Company Purchases Original Franchise Unit

Since February 2005, the new Alamo Drafthouse company purchased the original franchise unit, opened theaters in the Katy Area and Spring, Texas, and planned a new theater in the Rio Grande Valley.

August 2005: Entertainment Weekly Names Alamo Drafthouse #1 Movie Theater

In August 2005, Entertainment Weekly named the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema "The #1 movie theater in the country doing it right".

2006: Original Alamo Drafthouse Closure Plan

In 2006, due to rising rent, plans were made to hand over the downtown Austin Alamo Drafthouse to a non-profit, but the theater ultimately closed after the Ritz Theater became an alternative location.

2006: Unfinished Theater Announcement

In 2006, it was announced that a theater would open in the Rio Grande Valley; however, the building has remained unfinished since the original owner was foreclosed upon.

June 27, 2007: Final Event at Original Alamo Drafthouse

On June 27, 2007, the original Alamo Drafthouse held its final event, a special triple-feature, with the last movie shown being Night Warning, attended by star Susan Tyrrell. Audience members were allowed to take seats as souvenirs.

November 2, 2007: Alamo Drafthouse at the Ritz Opens

On November 2, 2007, the Alamo Drafthouse at the Ritz opened with a triple feature including Quentin Tarantino who flew out from Los Angeles to attend the opening.

2009: Second San Antonio Theater Opens

In 2009, a second San Antonio Alamo Drafthouse theater opened (Park North) with six screens.

2009: First Alamo Drafthouse Outside Texas Opens

In 2009, the first Alamo Drafthouse location outside of Texas opened in Winchester, Virginia.

June 2010: Tim League Returns as CEO

In June 2010, founder Tim League was brought back as CEO of the Alamo Drafthouse franchise operations.

November 5, 2010: Third San Antonio Location Opens

On November 5, 2010, a third San Antonio location (Stone Oak) opened with six screens.

2010: Drafthouse Films Launched

In 2010, after Tim League's return as CEO, Drafthouse Films, a film distribution company, was launched, inspired by the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema chain.

2011: Texting Rant Included in PSA

In 2011, Alamo Drafthouse made national headlines when the rantings of a customer ejected for texting were included in its "Don't Talk or Text" PSA.

2013: Lake Creek Location Closes

In 2013, the Lake Creek location was closed upon the opening of the brand new, larger Lakeline location.

October 2016: Devin Faraci Resigns from Birth.Movies.Death.

In October 2016, Devin Faraci resigned from Birth.Movies.Death. after allegations of sexual assault surfaced.

June 2017: Largest Alamo Drafthouse Opens in Springfield, Missouri

In June 2017, the current largest Alamo Drafthouse opened in Springfield, Missouri with 14 screens seating 1,050 people.

September 2017: Allegations Against Harry Knowles and Severance of Ties

In September 2017, several women accused Harry Knowles of sexual harassment and sexual assault at events sponsored by Alamo Drafthouse. Subsequently, Alamo Drafthouse and Fantastic Fest severed business ties with Knowles.

September 2017: Re-hiring Controversy and Resignations

In early September 2017, Todd Brown resigned as Fantastic Fest's director of international programming after Tim League re-hired Devin Faraci, who then resigned. League made public apologies.

2017: Screening of Ed Wood's Pornographic Film

In 2017, Alamo Drafthouse exhibited Take It Out in Trade, a previously unreleased pornographic film by Ed Wood, to a "surprise" audience.

2017: Neon Film Distribution Company Founded

In 2017, then CEO Tim League founded another film distribution company with Tom Quinn in New York City called Neon.

2017: Alamo Purchases Baker Center

In late 2017, Alamo Drafthouse purchased the historic Baker Center from Austin ISD, with initial plans to convert it into teacher housing.

March 2019: Alamo Season Pass Launches Nationwide

In March 2019, it was reported that Alamo Drafthouse's movie-ticket subscription service, Alamo Season Pass, will launch nationwide at all Drafthouse theaters by the end of the year.

2019: Tim League Not Involved in Neon Operations

As of 2019, Tim League was reportedly not involved in the daily operations of Neon.

March 2020: Temporary Closure Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, Alamo Drafthouse announced the temporary closure of all locations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 7, 2020: Launch of Alamo on Demand Streaming Service

On May 7, 2020, Alamo Drafthouse launched the "Alamo on Demand" video streaming service.

May 2020: Shelli Taylor Appointed New CEO

In May 2020, Alamo Drafthouse announced Shelli Taylor as the new CEO, with Tim League transitioning to the chairman of the board.

May 2020: Birth.Movies.Death Sold to Cinestate

In May 2020, the sale of Birth.Movies.Death to Dallas Sonnier's Cinestate film studio was announced concurrently with Tim League stepping down as CEO of Alamo Drafthouse.

March 3, 2021: Alamo Drafthouse Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

On March 3, 2021, Alamo Drafthouse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, closing locations and cancelling plans to open an Orlando location.

June 2021: Emerges from Bankruptcy

In June 2021, Alamo Drafthouse announced that they had emerged from bankruptcy.

2023: Baker Center Added to NRHP

In 2023, the Baker Center, now Alamo Drafthouse’s corporate headquarters, was added to the NRHP.

June 12, 2024: Sony Pictures Acquires Alamo Drafthouse

On June 12, 2024, Sony Pictures acquired Alamo Drafthouse, including Fantastic Fest. Alamo Drafthouse was also revealed as the replacement tenant for two shuttered Showplace Icon locations in California.

June 2024: Sony Pictures Acquires Alamo Drafthouse

In June 2024, Sony Pictures Experiences acquired the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema chain.

June 2024: Dallas-Fort Worth and Woodbury Locations Shuttered

In June 2024, all Alamo Drafthouse locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and the Woodbury, Minnesota location were permanently shuttered due to the operator filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

June 27, 2024: Alamo Drafthouse to Acquire Closed Locations

On June 27, 2024, it was announced that Alamo Drafthouse would acquire the shuttered Dallas-Fort Worth and Woodbury locations, with plans to resume operation in the summer.

2024: Strong Performance Reports

Reports of strong performance for Alamo Drafthouse in 2024.

February 3, 2025: More than one hundred Alamo Drafthouse employees were laid off at Manhattan, Brooklyn and Colorado locations.

On February 3, 2025, more than one hundred Alamo Drafthouse employees were laid off at Manhattan, Brooklyn and Colorado locations.

2025: Mass Layoffs Carried Out

On January 14, 2025, Alamo Drafthouse carried out mass layoffs at all levels of the company, despite reports of strong performance in 2024 and plans to open additional venues.