For me, there has been a change over the past decade where I feel like going to the movies has lost its magic. That special feeling of the dark room, huge screen, and delicious popcorn has disappeared, drowned out by the exorbitant high prices big chain theaters charge. Don’t get me started on the foul smells of those dirty theaters too. The last time I was in a big chain theater, I took out my phone and ordered a cheap projector off Amazon. These days, my personal movie theater (AKA my living room) comes complete with reasonably priced concessions from the grocery store, warm blankets, and a cat. It’s a big step up.
However, there are exceptions around Chicago where the magic still exists, and where I still go.
Most notably one of these exceptions is the Paramount Theater in Aurora. On select Monday nights at 7:00 pm the Paramount Theater shows a movie. Tickets are $1.00 and the concessions are reasonably priced. Also, the theater itself is immaculately clean.
The Paramount Theater is an old school 1930’s movie palace that was converted for stage productions. In going back to its roots, the Paramount Theater has brought forth an incredibly special evening of entertainment capturing the magic that is, and what should be, going to the movies. The beauty of the theater and the professionalism of the staff alone is worth the price of the ticket. The fun of the being at the movies and the concessions is the icing on the cake.
The Details
Upcoming Shows
| September 11, 2023 | National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) |
| September 18, 2023 | Singin’ In The Rain (1952) |
| September 25, 2023 | Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) |
| October 2, 2023 | Coraline (2009) |
| October 9, 2023 | The Addams Family (1991) |
| October 16, 2023 | Monsters Inc. (2001) |
All show times are at 7:00 pm.
Additional shows get added throughout the year, so it’s worth keeping the link to their website handy to see what’s coming soon.
Website
https://paramountaurora.com/series/movie-mondays/
Address
Paramount Theater
23 E. Galena Boulevard
Aurora, Illinois
https://paramountaurora.com/
Prices
- Tickets are $1.00 sold at the door – Cash Only.
- Concessions accept Cash and Credit.
Parking
There’s plenty of municipal parking around the city of Aurora. Below is map from the city’s website, and I’ve placed an X on where the theater is located. I’ve also included a link to the city’s parking website as well.
Across the street from the Paramount Theater, (and actually across the river as well) is the casino parking garage. This is a convenient parking facility IF you have a players card provided by the casino. If you have the card, it’s free to park in the garage. If you don’t it can cost a lot. The card however is free to obtain. Just go to the cage on the floor of the casino with your ID, and after taking your information, they’ll give you a card for free.
The garage has a heated pedestrian bridge that crosses the river that lets you out almost in front of the Paramount Theater.
City of Aurora Parking:
https://www.aurora-il.org/721/Downtown-Parking
Paramount Theater: Parking
Chicago's Fun Side 