The Cinerama Dome has been saved! The surprise announcement came from Sony, who said they would be acquiring the Cinerama Dome and the adjoining Arclight Cinemas which will reemerge under Sony’s Alamo Drafthouse name.
The Cinerama Dome and Arclight Hollywood have been shuttered since the pandemic, after its then owner Pacific Theatre ceased operations in 2021. Despite its status as one of Los Angeles’ most beloved movie theatres, the Cinerama Dome has remained closed over the past five years, with the owners of its real estate rejecting multiple acquisition offers from alternate exhibitors. Earlier this year in May, the rumor mill began to churn when the building’s owners filed a conditional use permit to serve alcohol.
On Wednesday, Alamo Drafthouse issued a press release confirming its plans to reopen the Arclight Hollywood as a dine-in movie theatre. However, the Cinerama Dome itself will be maintained as a traditional movie theatre. Both theatres are scheduled to reopen in 2028 after undergoing extensive renovations. This is the latest in a series of investments from Sony in exhibition, having acquired the 30+ location movie theatre chain Alamo Drafthouse in 2024 and earlier this year making a $100 investment in Cosm which operates virtual reality venues across the U.S.
