May 6, 2025 - Things to Do

See Star Wars, E.T. and other nostalgic blockbusters at Uptown's oldest theatre

Alexandria Sands

Inside the theatre — After 50 years abandoned, the Carolina Theatre in Uptown Charlotte was "restored to its original glory" by Foundation For The Carolinas. It reopened in early 2025. Photo: Courtesy of Carolina Theatre

Carolina Theatre is paying tribute to the years it was dark with a film series, screening nostalgic blockbusters from the era following its closure.

Why it matters: Bruce Lee's "Fist of Fury" will lead the series. It was the final movie the theatre showed in 1978 before shuttering for 50 years.

Catch up quick: Over the past decade, Foundation for the Carolinas has worked to renovate the 1927 Carolina Theatre. It reopened in March.

What they're saying: "We can never get those 'lost years' back," says Sean Seifert, Carolina Theatre's executive director. "But we can recreate the decades gone by with the nostalgia that will always live here."

See the movie schedule below. All showtimes are 7pm unless otherwise noted.

Sunday, June 8, 2pm: "Fist of Fury"
Thursday, June 12: "Rocky II" (1979)
Thursday, June 19: "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" (1980)
Thursday, June 26: "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981)
Thursday, July 3: "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial" (1982)
Thursday, July 10: "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" (1983)
Sunday, July 20, 2pm: "Ghostbusters" (1984)
Thursday, July 24: "The Goonies" (1985)
Thursday, July 31: "Top Gun" (1986)
Thursday, Aug. 7: "Beverly Hills Cop II" (1987)
Thursday, Aug. 14: "Beaches" (1988)
Thursday, Aug. 21: "Batman" (1989)
Thursday, Aug. 28: "Ghost" (1990)

If you go: Tickets are $10 and available at TheCarolina.com.

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See Star Wars, E.T. and other nostalgic blockbusters at Uptown's oldest theatre

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