CityCentre Switcheroo

Houston-based dine-in movie theater chain now starring at CityCentre

Star Cinema Grill's Richmond location previews the upgrades coming to CityCentre.

Courtesy of Star Cinema Grill

CityCentre’s movie theater is under new management. Star Cinema Grill will now operate the theater that had belonged to Studio Movie Grill.

Part of Culinary Khancepts, the local hospitality group behind State Fare, Liberty Kitchen, and the renovations currently underway at the historic River Oaks Theatre, the CityCentre location will be the 10th location of Star Cinema Grill. The location is currently closed but should reopen no later than April 18, according to a release.

"We are incredibly excited," Omar Khan, president of Culinary Khancepts, said in a statement. "Our luxury cinema brand perfectly complements the exceptional atmosphere of CityCentre. Houston is our hometown, and we are committed to delivering the ultimate dining and cinematic experience for all our guests for years to come.”

The theater will receive a host of upgrades as part of its change in ownership. Plans include the installation of a new Dolby sound system and laser projectors. Changes to the seating include the installation of heat recliners, privacy pods, and seat massagers. Star Cinema Grill expects to complete all of the renovations by November.

Star Cinema Grill CityCentre rendering A rendering previews the changes coming to CityCentre.Courtesy of Star Cinema Grill

“The theater will get a top to bottom update where no detail will be overlooked. We want to ensure Star Cinema Grill CityCentre provides the best cinema dining experience in the city,” Khan added.

Studio Movie Grill operated at CityCentre for 15 years. Primarily based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the company still operates a theater in Pearland and could look for additional locations in the Houston area.

“Leaving this location was bittersweet, but a future within CityCentre wasn't in the cards," Studio Movie Grill CEO Ted Croft said. “We extend a heartfelt thank you to our CityCentre neighbors for 15 wonderful years of ‘Eat. Drink. Movies’ and to Star Cinema Grill for collaborating with us to offer new opportunities to our cherished team members. We remain committed to finding new locations and maintaining our presence in the Greater Houston area.”

Operating at CityCentre is only one of Culinary Khancepts' current projects. Renovations at the River Oaks Theatre are ongoing, with an eye on reopening later this year. The company will also open Leo’s River Oaks, an upscale steak and seafood restaurant, next to the movie theater.

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Fun with Time

Interactive adventure Time Mission clocks into Houston development

Photo courtesy of LOL Entertainment

The immersive experience Time Mission will open at the MarqE Entertainment District n summer 2026.

Time for a new immersive experience to come to Houston: Time Mission, a kid-friendly, team-based adventure, is scheduled to land at the MarqE Entertainment District in summer 2026.

Created by LOL Entertainment, a location-based entertainment company specializing in immersive attractions, Time Mission blends physical and mental challenges in a fast-paced experience, a release says.

Players take on real-world tasks like cracking codes, dodging lasers, solving riddles, and exploring hidden tunnels to earn points for their team.

Racing through 25+ unique portals, teams of two to five players embark on a time-travel journey across the past, present, and future, all while collecting points and battling the clock.

The website says the attraction is appropriate for "players age 6 to 106."

“We’ve seen a shift in how people seek entertainment, choosing immersive adventures that foster connection and excitement," says Rob Cooper, CEO of LOL Entertainment, in the release. "We’re excited to introduce Dallas to an experience where strategy, innovation, and teamwork collide.

There are currently Time Mission locations in Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, Illinois, and Belgium. Dallas will be the first Texas location, with another opening in Houston in summer 2026.

Immersive attractions have been popular in Houston for several years, from Meow Wolf just north of downtown to interactive experiences dedicated to balloons and more.

Time Mission will be located in a 10,000-square-foot space at the Marq Entertainment District (7620 Katy Fwy, Suite 355). The exact opening date will be announced at a later time.

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