A century is a remarkable run for a movie theatre—and an invitation to remember that a city landmark is more than its marquee.

Tampa Theatre turns 100 on October 15, 2026, with a history that includes lavish early screenings, a threatened demolition and a community effort that kept its doors in Tampa's future.

A movie palace built to transport its audience

Architect John Eberson designed the theatre, which opened October 15, 1926.

Its atmospheric approach gave moviegoers an indoor version of a moonlit courtyard, with ornate architecture and a starry ceiling.

The theatre's history records a 25-cent admission at its opening—a reminder of how different the economics of a night at the movies were a century ago.

But the building's survival was not automatic.

The rescue that made this birthday possible

The theatre says it faced demolition in 1973, before residents and city leaders rallied to preserve it.

After a city purchase agreement, it reopened in January 1977 and entered the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

That preservation story gives the centennial its local weight: today's birthday belongs to a building Tampa once had to decide whether to save.

October's films have been here before

The A Century of Stories program selects films that played at Tampa Theatre during their original runs, turning a familiar movie into a connection with the venue's own archive.

A Night at the Opera is listed for October 14; the Marx Brothers comedy originally played here in 1935.

Notorious follows October 21, revisiting Alfred Hitchcock's romantic thriller, which opened at the theatre in November 1946.

The Third Man is listed for October 28; the theatre records its original local run in May 1950.

The dates offer three different paths into movie history, rather than three interchangeable birthday screenings.

The comedy, thriller and postwar mystery also make an inviting starting point for readers who haven't yet made classic cinema a regular outing.

A landmark still making room for new stories

Preservation has not meant freezing the venue in time: the theatre opened an adjacent 43-seat microcinema in June 2024.

Its current programming includes films, concerts, tours and educational activities, so there are ways to visit beyond a single anniversary evening.

The venue is at 711 N. Franklin Street, Tampa; its box office number is 813-274-8286.

Use the official film listings for start times, admission and availability before making a trip; the centennial program alone is not a ticket confirmation.

The theatre lists wheelchair access and assisted-listening and audio-narration devices; contact guest services for arrangements that meet your needs.

At 100, the most interesting part of the story may be that Tampa still gets to walk inside and add another memory.

Sources & planning links

Tampa Theatre history · A Century of Stories program · Current films, times and tickets · Facade photograph source · Facade photograph license: CC BY 2.5 · Archival stage photograph and rights

Reporting checked October 12, 2026.