You’ve been there. It’s Friday night, the kids are finally quiet, and you decide it’s time to catch a flick. You pull up your phone, type in a quick search, and suddenly you’re drowning in a sea of broken links and outdated schedules. Honestly, finding movie showtimes in Corpus Christi Texas shouldn’t feel like a high-stakes scavenger hunt, but between the seasonal shifts at the coast and the way different theaters handle their digital ticketing, it often does.
Corpus Christi isn’t just a beach town. It’s a movie town. We have everything from the massive, screen-shaking IMAX experiences to the "quiet down or get out" vibe of the drafthouse. If you're heading out to see the latest blockbuster or a weird indie darling, you need the right intel.
Where the Big Screens Live: Cinemark and AMC
The heavy hitters in town are undeniably the Cinemark Century 16 and the AMC Classic 16. Most people get these confused or think they’re basically the same thing. They aren't.
Cinemark Century 16 XD and IMAX is the crown jewel for tech nerds. Located right on South Padre Island Drive (the SPID, as we call it), this is where you go if you want the "big" experience. They’ve got the XD (Extreme Digital) format and a legitimate IMAX screen. Right now, in early 2026, they are leaning heavily into the big spectacles. If you're looking for Avatar: Fire and Ash or the re-release event for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, this is your spot. Their Luxury Loungers are actually heated, which sounds overkill for Texas until you realize they keep the theater at a crisp 60 degrees year-round.
Then you’ve got AMC Classic Corpus Christi 16 over on Silverberry Drive. This place is a bit more "old school" in some ways but has the best deals. They do "Discount Tuesdays" where tickets are basically half-off, and they have the 20% off matinee deal for any show before 4:00 PM. If you're dragging a group of teenagers to see Zootopia 2 or 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, your wallet will thank you for picking the AMC. They also do a lot of "Sensory Friendly" screenings, which is a huge win for families with neurodivergent kids.
The "Experience" Choice: Alamo Drafthouse
If you haven't been to the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on Staples Street, you’re missing out on the best pizza-and-movie combo in South Texas. But here is what most people get wrong about Alamo: it is not a "casual" hangout. They are legendary for their "No Talking, No Texting" policy. I’ve seen people get kicked out for glowing screens.
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It’s great.
They also do these niche "Movie Parties." This January, they're doing The Twilight Saga marathons and Steel Magnolias parties where they give you props to use during the movie. Their schedule is a mix of the new stuff—like Greenland 2: Migration—and weird cult classics like Darkman or Gremlins 2.
Basically, if you want a craft beer and a burger delivered to your seat while you watch a killer chimp movie like Primate, Staples Street is the destination. Just don't check your phone. Seriously.
Crossing the Bridge: Portland’s B&B Theatres
A lot of people forget that just across the bridge in Portland, there’s the B&B Theatres Portland Northshore 8. If the Corpus theaters are sold out for a major opening night, it is 100% worth the ten-minute drive.
They recently remodeled the whole place. We're talking:
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- Heated reclining seats (The Max Relax seats are no joke).
- ScreenX, which is that crazy 270-degree panoramic screen.
- ScreenPLAY!, which is a literal playground inside the theater for kids.
It's a different vibe. It feels newer and a bit more upscale than the AMC Classic, and it’s usually less crowded than the Cinemark on a Saturday night.
Breaking Down the 2026 Movie Slate
What are we actually watching? The 2026 lineup is surprisingly heavy on horror and nostalgia. Dead Man's Wire and The Housemaid are seeing heavy rotation at both the AMC and Cinemark.
There's also a massive push for international cinema in Corpus right now. You'll find No Other Choice (Korean with subtitles) and All You Need Is Kill (Japanese) playing at the Century 16. It’s cool to see the city’s film taste expanding beyond just the standard Marvel-style fare.
Current Blockbusters and Events
- Sci-Fi/Action: Avatar: Fire and Ash, Greenland 2: Migration.
- Horror: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Primate, Night Patrol.
- Family: Zootopia 2, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, Madagascar: 20th Anniversary.
- Special Events: The Lord of the Rings 2026 trilogy re-release (check Cinemark for IMAX times).
How to Not Waste Your Money
Look, movie tickets aren't five bucks anymore. If you're going to see a movie in Corpus, you need a strategy.
First, use the apps. Both Cinemark and AMC have loyalty programs that actually pay off. The AMC Stubs A-List is a subscription, but if you see more than two movies a month, it pays for itself. Cinemark has the "Movie Club" which gives you a monthly credit and waives those annoying online fees.
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Second, timing is everything.
- Tuesdays/Wednesdays: AMC gives 50% off for Stubs members.
- Early Birds: Cinemark has "Early Bird" pricing for the first show of the day.
- Matinees: Always before 4:00 PM for the 20% discount.
The Local Legend: The Ritz
I have to mention The Ritz Theatre. It’s not currently showing new blockbusters—it’s a historic site in downtown that’s been undergoing a massive restoration. It’s nearly 100 years old. While you won't find Avatar there, they do live events, flamenco shows, and community tournaments. It’s the soul of the Corpus film history, and it's worth keeping an eye on their "Bar Under the Sun" events if you want a break from the multiplex.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Night Out
Don't just wing it. If you're planning to check out movie showtimes in Corpus Christi Texas, follow these steps to ensure you actually get a seat:
- Verify the Location: Double-check if you’re looking at the Cinemark on SPID or the AMC on Silverberry. They are on opposite sides of town.
- Book the Drafthouse Early: Alamo Drafthouse only has 7 auditoriums. They sell out fast, especially for their "Movie Parties."
- Check the Version: Make sure you aren't accidentally booking a Spanish-subtitled or Open Caption screening unless that's what you want. Both AMC and Cinemark are great about offering these, but they are clearly labeled in the app.
- The "Portland Pivot": If Cinemark Century 16 is packed, check B&B Theatres in Portland. It’s often the "hidden gem" of the area.
- Join the Lists: Sign up for the "Victory" program at Alamo or "Stubs" at AMC. You get free popcorn or soda more often than you'd think.
Checking the latest schedules is easiest through the theater's direct websites rather than third-party aggregators, which sometimes lag by a few hours. Grab your tickets, hit the SPID, and enjoy the show.