Historic Cinema Reopens in Downtown Thomson
The once-shuttered Thomson Twin Cinema in Thomson, Georgia has reopened and is showing movies once again.
The recently reopened Thomson Twin Cinema in Thomson, Georgia.
James Cawley | Augusta Today
James Cawley | Augusta TodayThe recently reopened Thomson Twin Cinema in Thomson, Georgia.
The charming old school small-town movie theater is something rarely seen these days. However, if a drive down Main Street in Thomson, Georgia finds that specific moviegoing experience is still very much alive - again!
Residents of McDuffie County have been visiting the Thomson Twin Cinema since it first opened in 1948. It was a staple in downtown Thomson, until March of 2020, when the COVID 19 pandemic forced the doors to close. Some wondered if the doors might stay closed forever, turning the Twin into another empty theater rotting away like so many across the country?
The answer was no, not if Benjamin Cranford had anything to say about it.
Cranford is now the owner of Thomson Twin Cinema, and he has reopened the doors to the historic theater.
James Cawley | Augusta TodayBenjamin Cranford with one of of the old projectors at the Thomson Twin Cinema in Thomson, Georgia.
Benjamin acquired the theater in November of 2023, and spent over a year fixing it up. He reopened in March of this year. Now, once again, people in Thomson can enjoy a blockbuster movie without making the drive to Augusta.
“I just want people in Thomson to have things to do,” Cranford said. “I want to bring people back to downtown Thomson.”
So far, his plan is working well. People have been showing up and packing out the theater to see current movies such as Disney’s live action “Lilo and Stitch” remake.
Some of the movies that will be showing in the near future at Thomson Twin Cinema include “Jurassic World Rebirth” and “F1”.
The movies will run for two weeks and screen at 7 p.m. on Fridays and 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Cranford says he is currently working to do more mid-week showings as well as matinees on Sundays. He’d also like to do Wednesday night classics in the near future. Cranford also said the theater is available to book for private events.
Currently, only one of the two theaters at the Thomson Twin is open. The other is still being renovated. Cranford says he would like to see something different done with that theater, perhaps open mic nights, stand-up comedy shows, or other special events.
Thomson Twin Cinema is located at 131 Main Street in Thomson and the phone number is (706) 595-7317
