Star Cinema Grill Cypress to Debut Houston Area’s Only Dine-In IMAX Theatre November 18 with Luxury Seating and Major Renovations
Movie nights in Cypress are about to get a major upgrade. Star Cinema Grill is transforming its location at 8920 Fry Road with a new IMAX with Laser theatre, luxury seating and extensive renovations, bringing an entirely new experience to a familiar entertainment destination for northwest Houston families.
The Houston-born cinema company announced the improvements on October 12, 2026, confirming that its new IMAX auditorium will open November 18. Once operational, Star Cinema Grill Cypress will become the only dine-in movie theatre in the Houston area offering IMAX, combining premium large-format films with full-service restaurant dining.
For residents of Bridgeland, Towne Lake, Cypress Creek Lakes, Fairfield and surrounding communities, the improvements offer another reason to enjoy a movie night close to home. They also mark a significant new chapter for a theatre that has been part of the Cypress entertainment scene since 2017.
What's Changing at Star Cinema Grill Cypress?
The renovation goes well beyond installing a new movie screen. Star Cinema Grill is refreshing the Cypress theatre throughout, with upgraded interiors, new luxury seating across its auditoriums and several comfort-focused amenities.
Among the improvements are plush heated recliners, massage seating and premium Privacy Pods, giving moviegoers additional seating options designed for comfort and a more private viewing experience.
The centerpiece of the transformation is the new IMAX with Laser auditorium, which will combine advanced projection and sound technology with the convenience of Star Cinema Grill's full-service dining experience.
Unlike traditional movie theatres, where guests typically purchase snacks before finding their seats, Star Cinema Grill allows moviegoers to enjoy restaurant-style meals and beverages during their films. The Houston-based company is known for its extensive menu, full-service hospitality and bar offerings that include beer, wine and cocktails.
Omar Khan, founder and CEO of Star Cinema Grill, said the company's continued investment in its theatres reflects the support it has received from Houston-area moviegoers.
“Star Cinema Grill was born in Houston, and the support this community has given us over the years has allowed us to keep evolving,” Khan said. “For years, moviegoers often had to choose between the food, service and hospitality of a dine-in cinema and the premium presentation of a large-format theatre. At Cypress, we’re bringing those experiences together: IMAX with Laser, luxury recliners with heat and massage features, and full-service dining. We want a movie to feel like a complete night out, and we’re grateful to our guests for giving us the opportunity to keep raising the bar.”
Nearly a Decade of Movie Nights in Cypress
Star Cinema Grill Cypress first opened in 2017 at 8920 Fry Road in the Miramesa Town Center development, bringing the Houston-based dine-in cinema concept to a growing part of northwest Harris County.
The original theatre was developed as a 10-screen cinema, with construction records from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation documenting an approximately 46,229-square-foot theatre building and a subsequent interior buildout estimated at $3.8 million. The location introduced residents to a moviegoing experience centered on comfortable seating, restaurant-style dining and first-run films, all under one roof.
Since then, the surrounding area has continued to change. Master-planned communities including Bridgeland and Towne Lake have welcomed new residents, while commercial development along Fry Road and nearby corridors has expanded the area's shopping, dining and entertainment options.
The Cypress theatre has also adapted to changing circumstances over the years. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Star Cinema Grill introduced a drive-in movie experience at the Fry Road property, allowing guests to watch films from their vehicles while purchasing concessions and beverages. The temporary outdoor format opened in September 2020 with screenings that included Tenet, providing an alternative for moviegoers during a period when indoor entertainment faced significant restrictions.
Now, nearly nine years after the Cypress location first opened, the company is making another substantial investment in the property. This time, the focus is on bringing some of the movie industry's latest presentation technology and luxury seating amenities to the existing theatre.
What Is IMAX with Laser, and How Will It Improve the Movie Experience?
For Cypress moviegoers unfamiliar with IMAX with Laser, the technology is designed to deliver sharper images, richer colors and more immersive sound than conventional cinema projection systems.
The next-generation IMAX system uses 4K laser projection technology, offering improved image resolution, deeper contrast and an expanded color range. A multi-channel precision sound system provides greater audio clarity, depth and immersion throughout the auditorium.
The Cypress installation also represents another step in Star Cinema Grill's investment in premium large-format movie experiences.
The company previously introduced a Samsung Onyx cinema screen at its Richmond location, expanding its dine-in theatre concept to include advanced display technology. With the addition of IMAX in Cypress, Star Cinema Grill is bringing another premium viewing format into a setting where guests can enjoy dinner, drinks and a movie during the same visit.
IMAX Corporation, headquartered across New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, develops proprietary projection systems, theatre architecture and entertainment technology used by filmmakers and studios worldwide. As of June 30, 2026, the company operated 1,876 IMAX systems across 91 countries and territories.
For local moviegoers, the biggest difference will be the opportunity to enjoy major Hollywood releases in IMAX without traveling to another part of Greater Houston or giving up the convenience of a dine-in theatre.
New Cypress IMAX Theatre Opens with The Hunger Games in November
The upgraded IMAX auditorium is scheduled to debut on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, during the November 18 through 22 opening weekend of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
The film will be among the first major releases audiences can experience on the new screen, followed by additional IMAX presentations planned for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.
Other announced titles include The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth, which is slated for an IMAX-exclusive presentation, and George Michael: The Faith Tour Concert Film, with IMAX-exclusive early previews.
Another anticipated release is Dune: Part Three, scheduled to arrive in theatres December 18, 2026. Tickets for the film are already on sale through Star Cinema Grill, allowing moviegoers to plan ahead for one of the first major blockbuster experiences at the renovated Cypress theatre.
Residents interested in upcoming films, showtimes and ticket availability can visit the official Star Cinema Grill Cypress website.
A Houston-Born Cinema Brand Continues Investing in Local Entertainment
Founded in Houston in 2007, Star Cinema Grill has grown from a local dine-in movie theatre concept into a regional entertainment company with locations throughout Texas and Illinois.
Its Greater Houston locations include Cypress, Richmond, Missouri City, Springwoods, Vintage Park, CITYCENTRE and Baybrook, with another Texas location in College Station. The company also operates theatres in Bolingbrook and South Barrington, Illinois.
Throughout its growth, the company's primary concept has remained consistent: combining first-run movies with food, beverages and attentive service in a theatre setting.
The Cypress renovation comes as the surrounding northwest Houston area continues to accommodate new homes, businesses and commercial development. For residents who have watched the Bridgeland, Towne Lake and Fry Road corridors evolve over the past decade, the transformation represents another investment in an established local entertainment destination.
Rather than introducing a completely new theatre to the market, Star Cinema Grill is updating a location many area families already know, with technology and amenities intended to appeal to both longtime customers and new moviegoers.
What Cypress Moviegoers Should Know Before November 18
The new IMAX with Laser auditorium is scheduled to open November 18, 2026, at Star Cinema Grill Cypress, 8920 Fry Road, Cypress, TX 77433, near the Bridgeland and Miramesa communities.
Although the company has confirmed the IMAX opening date and planned seating improvements, additional details about the completion of the broader renovation and pricing for premium seating have not been announced.
Residents can visit the Star Cinema Grill's website or contact the Cypress theatre at 832-497-5140 for updated showtimes, ticket prices and seating availability.
For nearly a decade, Star Cinema Grill Cypress has given local families a place to enjoy dinner and a movie without leaving their part of town. With a new IMAX screen and major comfort upgrades on the way, the theatre is preparing to offer something considerably different from the experience that first welcomed guests in 2017.
Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for updates on the Star Cinema Grill Cypress renovation, upcoming entertainment openings and other business developments across Cypress and northwest Houston.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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