The news hit suddenly, and honestly, it hurt.

Over the weekend, FitFam was the first to bring attention to something that felt almost impossible to believe: both El Paso Alamo Drafthouse locations were closing. Shortly after that post started circulating, local news outlets followed with confirmations. Around the same time, I received an email informing me that my season pass had been canceled and refunded. No warning. No farewell. No “one last movie night” for the people who loved that place deeply.

What made it even more jarring was the silence beforehand. There was no announcement, no heads-up to loyal patrons. If you Google the El Paso Alamo Drafthouse locations right now, they still appear to be operating, complete with listed hours. But the official Alamo page tells a different story, displaying a notice that all ticket orders have been canceled and refunded, along with answers to specific order-related questions. That disconnect only adds to the confusion and frustration.

Since the news broke, the outcry from the community has been immediate and heartfelt. Renowned El Paso photographer Christian Churches shared his heartbreak publicly, echoing what so many others were feeling. Film lovers across the city, both casual moviegoers and people deeply embedded in the local film scene, expressed sadness and disbelief. For many, the Alamo wasn’t just a theater. It was the place to see classic films, cult favorites, movie parties, and special screenings that most theaters never touch, alongside major new releases.

And beyond the programming, Alamo Drafthouse theaters just feel special.

The Montecillo location on the Westside had been quietly building toward something bigger since I moved back to El Paso in 2023. Even on its own, though, that mountainside setting had an unmatched calm to it. The Eastside location brought an entirely different energy, complete with a bold Lucha Libre motif and a massive theater entrance where you literally walked through the mouth of a giant luchador mask. That kind of design stays with you.

Before El Paso, I was spoiled by Alamo Drafthouse locations in Omaha. One downtown had a life-sized Iron Giant watching over the city. Another, which is still open and remains a must-visit whenever I’m back, features a hanging Death Star that can be “fired” from a life-sized model of Palpatine’s throne. These theaters understand spectacle, reverence, and joy.

Alamo Drafthouse holds a special place in the hearts of film lovers, and El Paso is a city full of film lovers and filmmakers who respect the Alamo model. No talking. No noise. Just the movie.

Some speculation suggests the closures may be connected to backlash over Alamo’s recent shift to in-theater mobile food ordering, a change that frustrated both employees and longtime fans. Workers worried about reduced tips as automation increased, while moviegoers felt the policy undermined one of Alamo’s defining principles: no phones. Whether that played a role here remains uncertain.

For now, what we’re left with is a quiet loss. Maybe we’ll learn more about why the Alamos in El Paso closed so suddenly. And if we don’t, then the film lovers of this city will do what they always do: find somewhere new to gather, to watch, and to love movies together.

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Both Alamo Movie theaters in El Paso closed abruptly but they were gems for the movie loving community here in the city. We honor them with photos from Christian Churches Photography.

Gallery Credit: Grizz

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