Cinema Latino de Pasadena presents an entire billboard in Spanish on its six screens
Joey Guerra For La Vibra
HOUSTON, Texas.- The Hispanic public of the Pasadena area now has another option to watch movies: Cinema Latino of Pasadena. This six-screen theater with 1,110 seats has room for everyone and its entire billboard is presented in Spanish, all the time.
This theater shows premiere Hollywood films subtitled or dubbed into Spanish, as well as a selection of Latin American films that generally only have limited release in smaller theaters in the city.
The place opened on May 18 with films like Sahara, XXX: State of the Union, the Mexican Nicotina, the independent film Un dia sin mexicanos and a dubbed version of the animated film Robots. One day later arrived Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. And soon, Bad Education, by Pedro Almodóvar, will be screened, which originally had a limited season in Houston.
The Pasadena screening rooms are located in a shopping center surrounded by Mexican restaurants, discount stores and a grocery market. It is Cinema Latino’s fourth theater in the United States and the second in Texas. The others are located in Fort Worth, Aurora (Colorado) and Phoenix (Arizona).
“We loved the location. It’s visible and is located in the right neighborhood. It needed a touch of affection so it could recover its glory, but I think we did a good job with that,” said Anne Tengler, president of Sonora Entertainment Group, owners of Cinema Latino.
The place was a modest cinema before it closed several years ago. Today, it shines with clear energy. The seats in the theater are not stadium-style, but they are comfortable, and the screens are large enough. There’s music in Spanish in the lobby, and the snack menus are also bilingual.
Many of the concessions are also exclusive to Cinema Latino. Alongside the usual fare, typical Mexican treats are also offered: Duvalín, Vero Elotes, Pulparindo and Salsa Valentina for popcorn.
Employees at all Cinema Latino locations are not required to speak English, except for managers, who must deal with business partners, suppliers and promoters. Tengler said that about a third of Pasadena’s employees do not speak English.
“For us, coming to this theater is similar to why Latino people go to a salsa club,” said Tengler. “It’s comfortable, it’s fun, it’s family-friendly. They’re used to it, and that makes it special.”
[PAGE 2]
“When grandmother is visiting, they can take her to the movies, and she can enjoy it,” she added. “In reality, this is the first time that clients who speak Spanish will have an option in a specific market, since they will be able to watch Star Wars in Spanish and at the same time enjoy the same experience as the rest of the market in general.”
At the recent inauguration, clients seemed to be fascinated by the simple and distinctive approach that Cinema Latino offers. Almost all found something to enjoy, and a few clever parents planned to use Cinema Latino as a special educational tool.
“It’s good because it teaches [the children] to speak Spanish better,” said Yesenia Cruz, who took her four young children to see a movie. “In regular theaters, we don’t have movies in Spanish. It’s exciting for them. It’s a movie. It’s a cartoon. It helps them much so that they will be bilingual.”
The children agree and even some understand the value all this offers. Celeste Hernández, 7 years old and who does not speak Spanish fluently, attended a dubbed screening of Shrek 2. She learned the words “burro” (donkey) and “encantador” (charming) and hopes to return soon to reinforce the language.
“It was something good. I liked it,” she commented with a slight smile. “It teaches small children, like me, to learn Spanish.”
DETAILS
What: Cinema Latino de Pasadena Where: 2233 Southmore Ave., Pasadena For more information: Call 1-888-588-CINE
JOHNNY HANSON: PARA EL CHRONICLE
OTHER OPTION: Cinema Latino of Pasadena offers Hollywood films subtitled and dubbed into Spanish, in addition to Latin American films.
Cinema Latino de Pasadena presents an entire billboard in Spanish on its six screens
Joey Guerra For La Vibra
HOUSTON, Texas.- The Hispanic public of the Pasadena area now has another option to watch movies: Cinema Latino of Pasadena. This six-screen theater with 1,110 seats has room for everyone and its entire billboard is presented in Spanish, all the time.
This theater shows premiere Hollywood films subtitled or dubbed into Spanish, as well as a selection of Latin American films that generally only have limited release in smaller theaters in the city.
The place opened on May 18 with films like Sahara, XXX: State of the Union, the Mexican Nicotina, the independent film Un dia sin mexicanos and a dubbed version of the animated film Robots. One day later arrived Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. And soon, Bad Education, by Pedro Almodóvar, will be screened, which originally had a limited season in Houston.
The Pasadena screening rooms are located in a shopping center surrounded by Mexican restaurants, discount stores and a grocery market. It is Cinema Latino’s fourth theater in the United States and the second in Texas. The others are located in Fort Worth, Aurora (Colorado) and Phoenix (Arizona).
“We loved the location. It’s visible and is located in the right neighborhood. It needed a touch of affection so it could recover its glory, but I think we did a good job with that,” said Anne Tengler, president of Sonora Entertainment Group, owners of Cinema Latino.
The place was a modest cinema before it closed several years ago. Today, it shines with clear energy. The seats in the theater are not stadium-style, but they are comfortable, and the screens are large enough. There’s music in Spanish in the lobby, and the snack menus are also bilingual.
Many of the concessions are also exclusive to Cinema Latino. Alongside the usual fare, typical Mexican treats are also offered: Duvalín, Vero Elotes, Pulparindo and Salsa Valentina for popcorn.
Employees at all Cinema Latino locations are not required to speak English, except for managers, who must deal with business partners, suppliers and promoters. Tengler said that about a third of Pasadena’s employees do not speak English.
“For us, coming to this theater is similar to why Latino people go to a salsa club,” said Tengler. “It’s comfortable, it’s fun, it’s family-friendly. They’re used to it, and that makes it special.”
[PAGE 2]
“When grandmother is visiting, they can take her to the movies, and she can enjoy it,” she added. “In reality, this is the first time that clients who speak Spanish will have an option in a specific market, since they will be able to watch Star Wars in Spanish and at the same time enjoy the same experience as the rest of the market in general.”
At the recent inauguration, clients seemed to be fascinated by the simple and distinctive approach that Cinema Latino offers. Almost all found something to enjoy, and a few clever parents planned to use Cinema Latino as a special educational tool.
“It’s good because it teaches [the children] to speak Spanish better,” said Yesenia Cruz, who took her four young children to see a movie. “In regular theaters, we don’t have movies in Spanish. It’s exciting for them. It’s a movie. It’s a cartoon. It helps them much so that they will be bilingual.”
The children agree and even some understand the value all this offers. Celeste Hernández, 7 years old and who does not speak Spanish fluently, attended a dubbed screening of Shrek 2. She learned the words “burro” (donkey) and “encantador” (charming) and hopes to return soon to reinforce the language.
“It was something good. I liked it,” she commented with a slight smile. “It teaches small children, like me, to learn Spanish.”
DETAILS
What: Cinema Latino de Pasadena Where: 2233 Southmore Ave., Pasadena For more information: Call 1-888-588-CINE
JOHNNY HANSON: PARA EL CHRONICLE
OTHER OPTION: Cinema Latino of Pasadena offers Hollywood films subtitled and dubbed into Spanish, in addition to Latin American films.
This cinema placed an announce on August 27th, 1961 announce its reopening as the Capri theatre on September 1st. It never opened, however it reopened showing Mexican films starting on September 22nd, 1961. It closed on June 8th, 1962 and reopened on September 14th, 1962 on a foreign film policy.
Opened on December 22nd, 1939
and Channel 11
Same here.
Now a concert hall. https://texantheater.com/
Closed since March 2020, you can see the theatre rotting away in Street View.
Correction: Final showtimes appeared on November 8th, 2000.
Trouble on July 29th, 2026.
Grand opening ad posted.
This cinema took in USD 13.3 million dollars in 2025 as the most popular cinema in Canada.
Top 10 theaters (in box office)
AMC Burbank 30 – $23.3M AMC Lincoln Square NYC – $21.9M AMC Empire 25 NYC – $20.2M AMC Dine-In Disney Springs 24, Fl – $18.5M AMC Grove 14, LA – $17.6M AMC Century City 15 – $17.6M Regal Irvine Spectrum, CA – $16.5M AMC Universal Citywalk – $15.1M Cinema Cineplex Laval, Quebec – $13.5M Cineplex Yonge-Dundas – Toronto – $13.3M
Street view reveals that it never reopened after 2021. Its now a gym.
reopened as Movie Tavern on March 31st, 2006.
Movie Tavern Richey Road opening Apr 6, 2006 The Houston Chronicle (Houston, Texas) Newspapers.com
Reopened May 18th, 2005 as Cine Latino. article:
Cine Latino Pasadena opening May 27, 2005 La Vibra (Houston, Texas) Newspapers.com
Translation:
A room dedicated to Latino cinema
Cinema Latino de Pasadena presents an entire billboard in Spanish on its six screens
Joey Guerra
For La Vibra
HOUSTON, Texas.- The Hispanic public of the Pasadena area now has another option to watch movies: Cinema Latino of Pasadena. This six-screen theater with 1,110 seats has room for everyone and its entire billboard is presented in Spanish, all the time.
This theater shows premiere Hollywood films subtitled or dubbed into Spanish, as well as a selection of Latin American films that generally only have limited release in smaller theaters in the city.
The place opened on May 18 with films like Sahara, XXX: State of the Union, the Mexican Nicotina, the independent film Un dia sin mexicanos and a dubbed version of the animated film Robots. One day later arrived Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. And soon, Bad Education, by Pedro Almodóvar, will be screened, which originally had a limited season in Houston.
The Pasadena screening rooms are located in a shopping center surrounded by Mexican restaurants, discount stores and a grocery market. It is Cinema Latino’s fourth theater in the United States and the second in Texas. The others are located in Fort Worth, Aurora (Colorado) and Phoenix (Arizona).
“We loved the location. It’s visible and is located in the right neighborhood. It needed a touch of affection so it could recover its glory, but I think we did a good job with that,” said Anne Tengler, president of Sonora Entertainment Group, owners of Cinema Latino.
The place was a modest cinema before it closed several years ago. Today, it shines with clear energy. The seats in the theater are not stadium-style, but they are comfortable, and the screens are large enough. There’s music in Spanish in the lobby, and the snack menus are also bilingual.
Many of the concessions are also exclusive to Cinema Latino. Alongside the usual fare, typical Mexican treats are also offered: Duvalín, Vero Elotes, Pulparindo and Salsa Valentina for popcorn.
Employees at all Cinema Latino locations are not required to speak English, except for managers, who must deal with business partners, suppliers and promoters. Tengler said that about a third of Pasadena’s employees do not speak English.
“For us, coming to this theater is similar to why Latino people go to a salsa club,” said Tengler. “It’s comfortable, it’s fun, it’s family-friendly. They’re used to it, and that makes it special.”
[PAGE 2]
“When grandmother is visiting, they can take her to the movies, and she can enjoy it,” she added. “In reality, this is the first time that clients who speak Spanish will have an option in a specific market, since they will be able to watch Star Wars in Spanish and at the same time enjoy the same experience as the rest of the market in general.”
At the recent inauguration, clients seemed to be fascinated by the simple and distinctive approach that Cinema Latino offers. Almost all found something to enjoy, and a few clever parents planned to use Cinema Latino as a special educational tool.
“It’s good because it teaches [the children] to speak Spanish better,” said Yesenia Cruz, who took her four young children to see a movie. “In regular theaters, we don’t have movies in Spanish. It’s exciting for them. It’s a movie. It’s a cartoon. It helps them much so that they will be bilingual.”
The children agree and even some understand the value all this offers. Celeste Hernández, 7 years old and who does not speak Spanish fluently, attended a dubbed screening of Shrek 2. She learned the words “burro” (donkey) and “encantador” (charming) and hopes to return soon to reinforce the language.
“It was something good. I liked it,” she commented with a slight smile. “It teaches small children, like me, to learn Spanish.”
DETAILS
What: Cinema Latino de Pasadena
Where: 2233 Southmore Ave., Pasadena
For more information: Call 1-888-588-CINE
JOHNNY HANSON: PARA EL CHRONICLE
OTHER OPTION: Cinema Latino of Pasadena offers Hollywood films subtitled and dubbed into Spanish, in addition to Latin American films.
Reopened May 18th, 2005 as Cine Latino. article:
Cine Latino Pasadena opening May 27, 2005 La Vibra (Houston, Texas) Newspapers.com
Translation:
A room dedicated to Latino cinema
Cinema Latino de Pasadena presents an entire billboard in Spanish on its six screens
Joey Guerra
For La Vibra
HOUSTON, Texas.- The Hispanic public of the Pasadena area now has another option to watch movies: Cinema Latino of Pasadena. This six-screen theater with 1,110 seats has room for everyone and its entire billboard is presented in Spanish, all the time.
This theater shows premiere Hollywood films subtitled or dubbed into Spanish, as well as a selection of Latin American films that generally only have limited release in smaller theaters in the city.
The place opened on May 18 with films like Sahara, XXX: State of the Union, the Mexican Nicotina, the independent film Un dia sin mexicanos and a dubbed version of the animated film Robots. One day later arrived Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. And soon, Bad Education, by Pedro Almodóvar, will be screened, which originally had a limited season in Houston.
The Pasadena screening rooms are located in a shopping center surrounded by Mexican restaurants, discount stores and a grocery market. It is Cinema Latino’s fourth theater in the United States and the second in Texas. The others are located in Fort Worth, Aurora (Colorado) and Phoenix (Arizona).
“We loved the location. It’s visible and is located in the right neighborhood. It needed a touch of affection so it could recover its glory, but I think we did a good job with that,” said Anne Tengler, president of Sonora Entertainment Group, owners of Cinema Latino.
The place was a modest cinema before it closed several years ago. Today, it shines with clear energy. The seats in the theater are not stadium-style, but they are comfortable, and the screens are large enough. There’s music in Spanish in the lobby, and the snack menus are also bilingual.
Many of the concessions are also exclusive to Cinema Latino. Alongside the usual fare, typical Mexican treats are also offered: Duvalín, Vero Elotes, Pulparindo and Salsa Valentina for popcorn.
Employees at all Cinema Latino locations are not required to speak English, except for managers, who must deal with business partners, suppliers and promoters. Tengler said that about a third of Pasadena’s employees do not speak English.
“For us, coming to this theater is similar to why Latino people go to a salsa club,” said Tengler. “It’s comfortable, it’s fun, it’s family-friendly. They’re used to it, and that makes it special.”
[PAGE 2]
“When grandmother is visiting, they can take her to the movies, and she can enjoy it,” she added. “In reality, this is the first time that clients who speak Spanish will have an option in a specific market, since they will be able to watch Star Wars in Spanish and at the same time enjoy the same experience as the rest of the market in general.”
At the recent inauguration, clients seemed to be fascinated by the simple and distinctive approach that Cinema Latino offers. Almost all found something to enjoy, and a few clever parents planned to use Cinema Latino as a special educational tool.
“It’s good because it teaches [the children] to speak Spanish better,” said Yesenia Cruz, who took her four young children to see a movie. “In regular theaters, we don’t have movies in Spanish. It’s exciting for them. It’s a movie. It’s a cartoon. It helps them much so that they will be bilingual.”
The children agree and even some understand the value all this offers. Celeste Hernández, 7 years old and who does not speak Spanish fluently, attended a dubbed screening of Shrek 2. She learned the words “burro” (donkey) and “encantador” (charming) and hopes to return soon to reinforce the language.
“It was something good. I liked it,” she commented with a slight smile. “It teaches small children, like me, to learn Spanish.”
DETAILS
What: Cinema Latino de Pasadena
Where: 2233 Southmore Ave., Pasadena
For more information: Call 1-888-588-CINE
JOHNNY HANSON: PARA EL CHRONICLE
OTHER OPTION: Cinema Latino of Pasadena offers Hollywood films subtitled and dubbed into Spanish, in addition to Latin American films.
Correction: first ad appeared on May 15th, 1977.
This cinema placed an announce on August 27th, 1961 announce its reopening as the Capri theatre on September 1st. It never opened, however it reopened showing Mexican films starting on September 22nd, 1961. It closed on June 8th, 1962 and reopened on September 14th, 1962 on a foreign film policy.
Closed April 15th, 1956.
Kirby theatre closing Apr 15, 1956 The Houston Chronicle (Houston, Texas) Newspapers.com
It was demolished to expand an nearby bank.
Grand opening ad posted.
Demolished and replaced by Big Tex storage.
opened on March 6th, 2009. Grand opening ad posted.
opened May 23rd, 1998. Grand opening ad posted.
Grand opening ad posted.
Grand opening ad with a small picture posted (AI colorized and original B/W)
Opening article:
Cinema 4 opening Feb 28, 1982 Las Cruces Sun-News (Las Cruces, New Mexico) Newspapers.com
Grand opening ad posted. I believe this closed in March, 2009 when Allen theatres opened the new Cineport in the mall replaced it.
1909 newspaper article-ad posted.