MASON CITY — The newly renovated Southbridge Theater will reopen to the public with a grand opening celebration on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in downtown Mason City.
The theater, located at Southbridge Mall, will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. The celebration will continue with special showings of the 1985 classic “Footloose” at noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
The movie selection is a nod to the theater’s past. “Footloose” was one of the first films shown when the theater originally opened as Cinema V on May 23, 1985.
Guests attending the reopening will be able to see the renovated theater while revisiting the film that helped launch the venue more than four decades ago. Concessions will be available.
“This reopening is both a celebration of the theater’s future and a nod to its past,” Mason City City Council member Joshua Masson said. “We’re excited to welcome the community back to the movies and relive a little bit of 1985 together.”
Tickets are free in advance with registration at this link. Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the show for $5.
Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend the ribbon cutting and movie showings.
The Southbridge Theater has been a longtime entertainment destination in Mason City. Following renovations, the theater is reopening to continue bringing movies and community experiences to the big screen.