Legendary Fort Collins Movie Theater Celebrates Christmas With 4 Classics

One of Colorado's most beloved movie theaters will be celebrating the Christmas season by brining four classics to the big screen in Fort Collins for four consecutive Thursdays. The Lyric Cinema is even saving the last to throw their hat in the ring as to whether it is or isn't a Christmas movie, on Christmas Day itself.

You may not know that there was an original Lyric Cinema in Downtown Fort Collins that was in operation from 1915 into the 1960s, on Mountain just east of College . It was in 2007, not very far from the original theater's spot a new Lyric Cinema opened at Mountain at Chestnut. The Lyric grew in popularity for ten years at that spot (I, myself saw many flicks there) before moving to a new spot at 1209 North College, right across from Jax, in 2017.

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While the 2007-2017 Lyric was essentially a twin movie theater, the Lyric on North College, according to its owners is, "In its simplest form, The Lyric is a four-screen independent movie theater with community events, live music, and an art-filled lobby." They have three screens inside and big outdoor screen; it really is a venue to experience, whether for a movie or an event.

Generations of Northern Coloradans have enjoyed happenings at The Lyric over the years; for Christmas of 2025, they've scheduled Christmas movies that have entertained generations, as well. They're calling it a "Christmas Retrospective."

• Thursday, December 4: "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" (1989)
  • 5:55 p.m.
  • $12 ($10/seniors, $8 kids 3-12)
• Thursday, December 11: "The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
  • Noon: General Admission Seating 
  • $8 all seats.
  • 7:00 p.m.
  • $12 ($10/seniors, $8 kids 3-12,)

• Thursday, December 18: "Elf' (2003)
  • Noon: General Admission Seating 
  • $8 all seats.
  • 7:00 p.m.
  • $12 ($10/seniors, $8 kids 3-12)
• Christmas Day: "Die Hard" (1988)
  • 6:00 p.m.
  • $12 ($10/seniors, $8 kids 3-12)

So, The Lyric staff have agreed with many that "Die Hard" is indeed a Christmas movie. Maybe they thought so, so much, that's where their list started: "We'll show 'Die Hard' on Christmas Day, and backtrack from there."