Texas Spirit Theater

Multisensory theater that delivers crackling lightning, pounding rain, and other surprises

Enjoy one of the most beautiful film experiences in Austin, the Bullock Museum's Texas Spirit Theater, a special-effects space that immerses visitors in the film with crackling lightning, pounding rain, and a few other surprises. Texas is a part of film history and continues to be a hub of talent and creativity. The Texas Spirit Theater hosts daily screenings, film premieres, special features, and signature programs, including Texas Focus and Summer Family Films.

The 200-seat Texas Spirit Theater is one of Austin's only multisensory special-effects theaters. In a cinema for the senses, films showing here have great stories and beautiful scenery, but they also have a variety of weather effects and other seat-rumbling surprises.

Star of Destiny

The Bullock Museum's 16-minute family-friendly film Star of Destiny is an epic journey through Texas history. Historic events such as the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 come to life with sets, special lighting, and amazing sound effects. Feel the seats shake as a gusher explodes from an East Texas oil derrick. Experience the takeoff of Saturn V as if you are seated at Mission Control at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston. Sound and sensory effects such as wind and smoke help make The Star of Destiny a truly memorable experience for all ages.

Shipwrecked

In the Bullock Museum's latest original production, Shipwrecked, visitors can experience the story of La Belle, one of the ships that was part of French explorer Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle's doomed Texas expedition, told by one of its few survivors. In this 26-minute film, learn about the ill-fated voyage as told by Pierre Talon, a young French boy who set sail for North America in 1684 as part of La Salle's colonization effort. Discover how this thrilling, dangerous, and moving adventure changed the course of history. Recommended for ages 10+.

Special Events

The Texas Spirit Theater also hosts film premieres, lectures, panel discussions and other programs and is available for private events. It features a proscenium stage in front of three screens, comfortable seating, and is equipped with multisensory technology. Learn more about hosting an event at the Texas Spirit Theater.

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Many speakers, including former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, have taken center stage in the Texas Spirit Theater at the Bullock Museum.

Press Releases

Texas Focus returns with Texas-shot thriller

May 10, 2017 (Austin, Texas) -- Director Michael Cohn will host a screening of his Texas-shot thriller Sacrifice (2015) on Thursday, May 18, 2017, as part of the Bullock Texas State History Museum's Texas Focus series, a cinematic exploration of the Texas narrative. View Press Release

04/25/2017 The Octopus Project to choreograph Bullock Museum’s special-effects theater for first time

04/19/2017 'Middle of Nowhere' to screen May 5 as part of Femme Film Fridays

03/28/2017 Director Mariana Chenillo to discuss Nora’s Will, current film projects via Skype

03/08/2017 Two Step director Alex Johnson to host screening, Q&A for Bullock's Texas Focus series

03/07/2017 Enough Said screening March 31 is next Femme Film Fridays selection at the Bullock Museum

02/09/2017 Bullock to launch new Viva Cinema film series

09/14/2016 New Femme Film Fridays series to launch this month

03/08/2016 Mouthwatering central Texas BBQ documentary to screen March 17

01/13/2016 Six indie film shorts an ode to Austin's punk ethos

12/03/2015 Lost film by Texas filmmaker Eagle Pennell to screen at Bullock Museum Dec. 16

11/17/2015 Bullock Museum's Texas Focus series spotlights documentary film on Doug Sahm

10/05/2015 Reynolds to re-imagine historical Texas performance