After a 23-month absence, movies return to the big screen in Vicksburg Thursday night with a sneak preview of the renovated Wilcox Theatres in Pemberton Square mall and a special showing of “Eagle Eye” and “Igor” to benefit Haven House charity.

An official opening of the theater — remodeled and refurbished — is slated for Friday afternoon at 12:20.

Tickets for the Thursday night shows are $5, and each includes a small popcorn and drink. They are available in the mall at the management office, at the Santa set and center court as well as at the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce office on Mission 66.

Beginning Friday afternoon, “Twilight” and Walt Disney’s “Bolt” will be showing in addition to the two debuting Thursday. Tickets for showings on Friday will be $5 before 6 p.m., with evening movie tickets priced at $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12 and seniors.

Renee Williams, Pemberton general manager, said a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, and grand opening events are being planned for December.

“We’re very excited, not only for Pemberton Square mall, but for the entire community in general,” said Williams. “This is something the community has wanted for a long time.”

Wilcox Theatres is housed in the former Pemberton Cinema 4, which closed in December 2006. Renovations to the old theater space involved new carpeting and tiling as well as the addition of plush seating and wall-to-wall screens projecting films amplified by DTS Surround Sound. The lobby and concession areas have also been renovated. Wilcox Theatres also operates a cinema in Bastrop, La.

While the mall cinema was closed, the nearest was in Clinton, 30 miles east on Interstate 20.

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Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com.