Sony Pictures Entertainment made official this morning what we first told you about Tuesday: The Culver City lot is reopening Los Angeles Historical Cultural Monument the Cinerama Dome, while its subsidiary exhibition chain, Alamo Drafthouse, will reopen the former 14-screen Hollywood Arclight in the back under the brand that they’re known for, i.e. dine-in and curated cinephile programming.
An early-2028 reopening date is eyed as the Cinerama Dome has to undergo extensive restorative renovations, which will begin next month after being shut down for the past six years due to Covid.
Also calm down, purists: The Cinerama Dome isn’t becoming a dine-in theater, rather it will retain its Cinerama brand name with the restoration honoring the landmark’s distinctive aesthetic character, immersive 86-foot wide large-format curved-screen presentation and traditional concession experience. The single-screen Cinerama Dome paved the way for a new era of large-format cinematic presentation. Since 1963, it has been known as one of the world’s premier venues for 70MM exhibition. (Remember there was a booking battle for the venue between Disney’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Quentin Tarantino’s 70MM western The Hateful Eight back in 2015.)
The Dome’s programming will be complemented by Alamo Drafthouse’s signature programming including repertory screenings, filmmaker series, premieres and special events. The complex will retain 35MM capabilities to showcase archival film prints and house several premium-format screens with immersive audio and 4K laser projection, including 70MM.
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As we told you Tuesday, Sony and Alamo Drafthouse are entering a long-term lease with the Robertson Properties Group to respectively operate the Cinerama Dome and former Hollywood Arclight.
“There is no moviegoing destination anywhere in the world that commands the affection, history and cultural significance of the Cinerama Dome. It represents the kind of singular experience we value and champion,” said Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment. “This is a meaningful moment for our company, our industry and Los Angeles. We look forward to honoring and extending the Dome’s extraordinary legacy.”
Said Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO of SPE Motion Picture Group: “Hot damn! We’re bringing the Dome back, baby. We believe in moviegoing down to our soul, and no venue on Earth stands more for that than the one-of-a-kind Dome. I am deeply proud that Sony is investing in Hollywood, literally. The Dome has hosted generations of unforgettable movie moments. Our goal is to preserve its legendary history while ensuring it remains vibrant now and far into the future.”
In 2015, Alamo Drafthouse restored and resurrected San Francisco’s historic New Mission Theater – now called the Christopher Nolan Cinema – transforming a landmark that had been vacant for 20 years into one of the city’s premier destinations for film. Alamo Drafthouse’s restoration of that theater preserved the famous Art Deco façade and historic architectural details, including that of the original grand auditorium.
“For 30 years we have championed the kind of theatrical experience that turns a screening into an event and created spaces where people come together to celebrate cinema,” said Michael Kustermann, CEO of Alamo Drafthouse and Head of Sony Pictures Experiences. “As our new West Coast flagship, we will offer extraordinary programming and events, while returning to Los Angeles one of its most beloved and culturally significant moviegoing destinations.”
Said Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of exhibition trade group Cinema United: “The Cinerama Dome has been a treasured and important landmark for movie fans and the entire film community for over six decades. On behalf of all of exhibition, we are excited to see that under the leadership of two of exhibition’s strongest champions, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Alamo Drafthouse, this iconic destination will once again be filled with audiences of all ages. The timing could not be better with moviegoers making clear this year that they love the unique experience of seeing a movie on the big screen. Congratulations to Sony and Alamo and to the people who love movies.”
In 2024, SPE purchased the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and recently made an investment in Cost.