Xscape Theaters opening in The Woodlands area this weekend

Xscape Theater is having a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 30 for its newly opened location on F.M. 1488, near The Woodlands. Xscape Theater is having a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 30 for its newly opened location on F.M. 1488, near The Woodlands. Photo: Patricia Dillon / The Woodlands Villager Photo: Patricia Dillon / The Woodlands Villager Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Xscape Theaters opening in The Woodlands area this weekend 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

Xscape Theaters is set to open this weekend near The Woodlands, providing a unique entertainment experience for residents of Montgomery County.

Xscape Theaters, located at the intersection of F.M. 1488 and Old Conroe Road, is opening just in time for the summer with an official ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for May 30. Scott Bagwell, vice president of operations, said the theater is in the final stages of organization with plans to begin showing films Friday, May 25.

The theater will feature 12 screens with luxury recliners in each auditorium and seating for 1,530 people.

Two of the 12 screens will be for Xtreme Xscape Presentation, the theater’s version of Imax, and feature screens more than 70 feet wide.

“(With) our Xtreme screen, we’re a little bit more advanced on our tech because we use 4K laser projection that I don’t think anyone else in the area uses,” Bagwell explained. “For our sound system, we use Dolby Atmos, which is a 360 degree immersive sound system where each set of the speakers in the theater is its own channel. We’re going to have well over 20 separate channels in our Xtreme (showings).”

The remaining 10 screens will have sound system equivalent to 7.1 sound systems found at other theaters. Bagwell said the theater will offer similar pricing to others in the area.

“We saw an opportunity here where you’ve had very big growth in this area and the closest theater is probably eight, nine miles away. But with the traffic, it’s anywhere from a 20 minute to a half hour drive,” Bagwell explained. “We’re going to be a convenient choice for anyone in this area and we’re going to be providing a superior product.”

Bagwell said Xscape is more of a traditional theater that does not offer dine-in service, which he added has been successful at their five other locations because there is no server interrupting the viewing experience.

Although the theater will not offer dine-in service, Bagwell said it will provide an expanded food menu: pizza, chicken tenders, french fries, big pretzels, pretzel bites, hot dogs and more. The theater will also will offer wine and both draft and bottled beer to enjoy during films.

“What we try to provide is good quality entertainment at a decent price,” Bagwell said.

The theater will offer a Free Summer Series one day a week during the morning on a first come, first serve basis. More information on the Free Summer Series will be available on the theater website after it has been opened.

“We like to be a good member of the community and this is a way we can give back,” Bagwell said.

Although the theater is scheduled to open this weekend, the official opening date will be posted by Xscape Theaters on Facebook at https://bit.ly/2KPJ5vI.