Pacific Theatres and ArcLight Cinemas Will Not Reopen

ArcLight locations include the Pacific Cinerama Dome and five other L.A. locations

The ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theatres chains, which shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, will not be reopening to moviegoers, the parent company announced today.

“After shutting our doors more than a year ago, today we must share the difficult and sad news that Pacific will not be reopening its ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theatres locations,” the Decurion Corp. said in a statement posted to PacificTheatres.com. “This was not the outcome anyone wanted, but despite a huge effort that exhausted all potential options, the company does not have a viable way forward.”

The ArcLight locations include the iconic Pacific Cinerama Dome on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood and five other Los Angeles locations.

Deadline reported that sources told them the company was planning to turn the keys back to its landlords as part of a negotiation on outstanding leases.

The announcement doesn’t rule out a sale of the chain, but the company declined requests for additional comment.

The move comes despite expectations by some industry officials that local theaters could allow 100% capacity even before Gov. Gavin Newsom’s no-more-tiers policy takes effect June 15.

The company thanked its employees and all those who enjoyed films over the years.

“To all the Pacific and ArcLight employees who have devoted their professional lives to making our theaters the very best places in the world to see movies: we are grateful for your service and your dedication to our customers,” the statement read. “To our guests and members of the film industry who have made going to the movies such a magical experience over the years: our deepest thanks. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve you.”

The Hollywood Arclight, the historical version of which featured heavily in director Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” was one of the highest-grossing movie theaters in America, according to Deadline.

Jon M. Chu, the director of “Crazy Rich Asians ,” called the closure of the ArcLight “what sad news.”

“I loved this theater,” Chu tweeted. “And I had my first premiere for my first movie #StepUp2TheStreets there. I snuck out of the movie early so I could cut a piece of the red carpet out and keep it. It sits on my desk.”

Rian Johnson, who directed “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and received a best original screenplay Oscar nomination for “Knives Out,” tweeted, “Every single person who worked at the ArcLight loved movies, and you felt it. Sending love to every usher, manager and projectionist who rocked that blue shirt and made it such a special place.”

More from The Industry