One of the last Hollywood closures of the 2020 pandemic is coming to an end. Sony Pictures Entertainment and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema announced that they will reopen and restore the Cinerama Dome, a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument, as well as the adjacent 14-screen multiplex in 2028. Formerly known as the Arclight Cinemas Hollywood, the complex was the premier movie-going theater in Los Angeles and a hub for industry screenings and FYC Q&As.
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According to a formal release from Sony, the Dome will undergo restorative renovations starting next month through early 2028. The “historic legacy and singular moviegoing experience will be honored and carefully preserved, with the iconic ‘Cinerama’ name and exterior branding left intact. The restoration will honor the landmark’s distinctive aesthetic character, immersive large-format curved-screen presentation, and traditional concession experience that have made it a beloved destination for generations. While the Dome will not operate as a dine-in theater, its traditional programming will be complemented by Alamo Drafthouse’s signature programming including repertory screenings, filmmaker series, premieres, and special events.”
Opened in 1963, Sony’s release notes, the “Dome has been celebrated as one of the world’s premier venues for 70mm exhibition, hosting era-defining premieres and unforgettable cinematic events. Its approximately 86-foot-wide, deeply curved screen was engineered to immerse audiences in an extraordinary panoramic viewing experience. The theater helped pioneer a new era of large-format cinematic presentation and remains one of the most distinctive moviegoing environments ever created.”
In news that is not ideal for many fans of the former ArcLight Cinemas, Alamo will revamp the multiplex for dine-in services. There has already been negative feedback over Alamo changes since Sony took over, and for a beloved industry hub like the Arclight, changes to its decor and aesthetic will cause deep concern. For perspective, the Arclight Cinemas was considered one of the most beautifully designed multiplexes in the world. Moviegoers would drive from the San Fernando Valley to see a movie at the Arclight when screens at the AMC Burbank or AMC Universal Citywalk were objectively closer. That has been one reason the industry and LA cinephiles have been so passionate about its return. Sony announcing the venue will now include “karaoke rooms” isn’t the scenario many were hoping for.
That being said, the studio promises curated programming, repertory screenings, events, and fan celebrations (whatever that means). The complex will also retain 35mm capabilities to showcase archival film prints and house several premium format screens with immersive audio and 4K laser projection, including 70mm capabilities.
In a statement, Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO, SPE Motion Picture Group, said, “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.”
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment added, “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. 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.”
Lastly, Michael Kustermann, CEO of Alamo Drafthouse and Head of Sony Pictures Experiences, noted, “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. 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.”
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Editor-at-Large Gregory Ellwood is one of the entertainment industry's most respected journalists and critics. Based in Los Angeles, he's the only current awards expert who previously worked on Oscar campaigns at a major movie studio. Over the years, he has written for the LA Times, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Vox, among others. He also co-founded the entertainment news site HitFix, which spawned a legion of influential Emmy and WGA Award-winning alumni.
