This Family Drama Took 12 Years to Make - And Returns to Theaters 12 Years Later

There was some stiff competition at the 2015 Academy Awards, with Boyhood among the hot contenders.

Birdman may have won Best Picture, but the Richard Linklater-directed family drama was also showered in nominations - with co-star Patricia Arquette nabbing a trophy of her own. Plus, Boyhood rightfully cleaned up at the Golden Globes earlier that year.

And now, to match the 12-year span it took to launch the coming-of-age movie - which tracks the protagonist's upbringing while his portrayer (Ellar Coltrane) ages in real life - the 12th anniversary of Boyhood is being honored with a return to cinemas.

But before it hits theaters nationwide, the Austin Film Society will host a one-night-only event that reunites the film's cast and creators will reunite in Austin, Texas, where the film was made. Independent Film Company (IFC) announced the special screening on Monday, June 22.

Following the July 18 event, Boyhood will return to arthouse theaters across the U.S. beginning July 31.

"Boyhood follows 12 years of time going by, and it was an honor to share that journey alongside the dedicated cast and crew," Linklater, 65, said in a statement, per IFC. "24 years after shooting year one, it means a lot to us to be having this reunion in the place it began, ended, and continues. We're excited that the film will be back in select theaters for people to potentially revisit or see for the first time with an audience."

Released by IFC in 2014, the Ethan Hawke starrer remains the highest-grossing film in the studio's history, earning more than $25 million at the domestic box office and becoming a breakthrough success for arthouse movie theaters nationwide.

Unlike traditional movies shot over months, Boyhood was filmed from 2002 to 2013. Linklater gathered his cast for a few days each year to capture real aging on screen. The project started without a full script, as the filmmaker only had key plot points and the ending. Each year, he reviewed past footage and wrote new scenes based on how the actors had grown.

Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 12:21 PM.