1. The Paramount Theatre, Austin, Texas
The Paramount Theatre is a beautiful old gem that opened its doors in 1915. While it dazzled audiences with vaudeville acts and silent films, its ornate halls were also rumored to be home to more than just history. Patrons and staff have long whispered about a man in a white tuxedo who wanders the balconies. The lights would flicker, and seats sometimes folded down as if someone unseen had taken a spot.
Some guests refused to return after hearing footsteps follow them into empty bathrooms. Projectionists claimed to hear voices while working late at night, even though the building was locked. While the Paramount still operates today, there was a time when frightened moviegoers abandoned their tickets rather than risk an encounter. The beauty of the theater has always drawn people back, but its ghostly reputation is just as strong.
2. The Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, Canada
The Vogue Theatre, built in 1941, has a stylish Art Deco look, but for years, people said it came with eerie side effects. Ushers told stories of cold drafts sweeping through the aisles with no explanation. Guests claimed to see a woman in black standing quietly in the back rows, vanishing when anyone approached.
At one point, the unsettling reports kept people away, especially late-night film screenings. Staff grew so unnerved that some refused to close up alone. Even when nothing appeared, the sense of being watched lingered in the air. Over time, the Vogue earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most haunted cinemas, making it just as famous for its spirits as for its shows.
3. The Palace Theatre, Canton, Ohio
The Palace Theatre opened in 1926 and has hosted everything from movies to live performances. Yet whispers of a ghost named “Harry” made some moviegoers nervous. He was said to be a former projectionist who never left his post, even in death. People reported hearing footsteps across the catwalk and seeing lights flash in the projection booth.
Families stopped coming after children described seeing a man smiling down at them from the balcony, only for adults to find nothing there. Staff grew so used to strange happenings that they simply shrugged them off. But there were plenty of locals who refused to set foot inside, convinced Harry was still running the reels in his own ghostly way.
4. The Strand Theatre, Shreveport, Louisiana
Known as the “Grandest Theatre South of Dallas,” the Strand was a glittering palace in the 1920s. But behind the velvet curtains, people whispered of shadows that moved where no one should be. Guests claimed to hear disembodied laughter echoing through the halls during movies.
When strange banging noises came from backstage, some assumed it was part of the show—until it happened during quiet moments on screen. Staff avoided certain rooms, especially after reports of cold hands brushing against their arms. At times, audiences left in a hurry, deciding the chills weren’t worth the ticket price.
5. The Rialto Theatre, Tucson, Arizona
The Rialto Theatre opened in 1920 and went through decades of ups and downs. Along with its colorful past came reports of eerie figures roaming the aisles. Ushers often mentioned a woman in a flowing dress who glided past them, only to vanish into thin air.
Some moviegoers swore they felt their hair pulled or their seats pushed from behind when no one was near. The unsettling events eventually became so frequent that people avoided certain sections of the theater altogether. While it remains a local landmark today, there was a period when audiences steered clear of the Rialto’s haunted screenings.
6. The Warner Grand Theatre, San Pedro, California
This Art Deco treasure opened in 1931, and it has been a community favorite for decades. But eerie stories began circulating about a ghostly projectionist who still lingers in the upper floors. Employees said they could hear the whir of film reels even when the machines were shut off.
Audiences sometimes noticed figures moving across the balcony, only to find it completely empty. Parents kept children away after strange shadows were spotted darting in the corners of the screen. The Warner Grand’s haunting reputation grew so strong that some screenings ended up half-empty despite the draw of its beautiful setting.
7. The Tampa Theatre, Tampa, Florida
The Tampa Theatre is one of the most lavish in the country, complete with twinkling stars on its ceiling. But despite the enchanting design, many believed it was haunted. Patrons spoke of feeling someone tapping them on the shoulder, only to turn around to empty space.
Projectionists told of a ghost named Foster “Fink” Finley, who reportedly never left his beloved workplace. The sense of being followed down the ornate staircases sent many moviegoers fleeing. While the Tampa Theatre has embraced its ghost stories today, there was a time when nervous audiences abandoned it altogether.
8. The Orpheum Theatre, Memphis, Tennessee
The Orpheum Theatre is well known for its supposed resident spirit, a little girl named Mary. She is said to wander the halls, giggling and playing tricks on staff. Moviegoers complained of seeing her dart past their seats during screenings.
Some refused to return after hearing a child’s laughter in the middle of horror films, thinking it was part of the soundtrack before realizing it wasn’t. The idea of a playful but persistent ghost unsettled many who just wanted a quiet night at the movies. While it remains popular, there was a stretch where its eerie reputation kept audiences away.
9. The Jefferson Theatre, Beaumont, Texas
The Jefferson Theatre opened in 1927, designed with stunning Italian Renaissance detail. But the beauty was overshadowed by unsettling ghost stories. Projectionists said the old equipment would run by itself late at night, playing to an empty room.
Guests sometimes saw a shadowy man standing in the wings, watching quietly. Some families never came back after feeling the temperature drop suddenly during family films. The Jefferson was briefly abandoned by nervous audiences who couldn’t shake the feeling that the theater was showing more than just movies.
10. The Fox Theatre, Detroit, Michigan
The Fox Theatre is massive, ornate, and unforgettable, but also linked to chilling tales. Employees described hearing organ music play on its own, even when the pit was empty. Ushers saw figures roaming the upper balconies, places that had been closed off for years.
Moviegoers left early after feeling watched from the darkness, with some swearing they locked eyes with someone who wasn’t there. For a while, its haunted reputation kept crowds thin, especially at late-night shows. Though it has since been restored and celebrated, the Fox was once a place people avoided out of fear.
11. The Senator Theatre, Baltimore, Maryland
The Senator Theatre is a historic landmark from 1939, known for its classic charm. But behind the screen, strange things kept happening. Projectionists reported doors slamming shut on their own. Guests claimed to see faint outlines of people seated in rows that were completely empty.
Some audiences walked out after hearing whispers coming from the walls during quiet scenes. The spooky atmosphere proved too much for certain movie lovers, who decided they’d had enough. While the Senator remains open, its haunted past is one reason many people gave up their seats long ago.
12. The Liberty Theatre, Astoria, Oregon
The Liberty Theatre first opened in 1925, and its reputation for hauntings came soon after. Patrons often mentioned the figure of a man in a suit appearing in the lobby. Staff swore they saw lights flicker and curtains move as if caught by an invisible hand.
Several audiences bolted when they heard voices echoing across the stage during screenings. Some even reported being touched by unseen hands while sitting in the dark. The Liberty’s ghostly activity became too much for many, leading to periods where the theater sat eerily empty. Today, it still carries its haunted reputation, drawing the curious as much as the brave.