The iconic Cinerama Dome in Hollywood will reopen in early 2028 following a multi-year restoration project led by Sony Pictures Entertainment. After six years of closure, the historic venue and its adjacent 14-screen multiplex will be operated by the Sony-owned Alamo Drafthouse, returning a centerpiece of Los Angeles cinema culture to public use.
A Multi-Year Restoration for a Hollywood Landmark
The Cinerama Dome, a designated Los Angeles Historical Cultural Monument, has remained dark since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Following the bankruptcy of its former operator, Pacific Theatres, in 2021, the site sat dormant, sparking public concern over its future. Sony Pictures Entertainment, which acquired Alamo Drafthouse in 2024, has now confirmed a long-term lease agreement with the property owner, Robertson Properties Group, to revitalize the site.
Restorative renovations are scheduled to begin next month, with a projected reopening set for early 2028. According to Deadline, the project aims to honor the theater’s original aesthetic, including its signature 86-foot-wide curved screen and traditional concession experience. While the theater will not operate as a dine-in venue, it will retain the “Cinerama” name and exterior branding as part of a commitment to preserve its legacy.
Strategic Expansion of the Alamo Drafthouse Brand
Unlike the Dome, this complex will feature the chain’s characteristic dine-in services. Both locations will maintain 35mm film projection capabilities, alongside premium 4K laser projection and 70mm exhibition formats.
Leadership Perspectives on the Dome’s Cultural Legacy
Sony Pictures Entertainment executives emphasized the importance of the site’s history in their decision to invest in the property.
“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.”
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO of the SPE Motion Picture Group, expressed personal enthusiasm for the restoration of the theater, which was designed by architect R. Buckminster Fuller and opened in 1963.
“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.”
Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO, SPE Motion Picture Group
Addressing Public Interest and Industry Challenges
The path to this announcement was marked by intense public scrutiny. The Los Angeles Times reported that a city hearing in May regarding the site’s alcohol sales served as a focal point for local preservation advocates. During the forum, advocates like Kim Cooper noted that the community had been eager to see the space return to activity. According to KTLA, local observers had long feared that the lack of updates from the property’s owners signaled a permanent end to the theater’s operations.
While the news is widely welcomed, the incoming operator, Alamo Drafthouse, has faced recent criticism regarding its in-theater service model. The Wrap noted that the chain’s decision to shift toward mobile-based ordering—a change from its traditional pen-and-paper system—has prompted backlash from some patrons who value the brand’s historically strict “no-phones” policy.
Reframing the Future of Theatrical Exhibition
The return of the Cinerama Dome is occurring during a period of renewed interest in large-format cinematic experiences. For Los Angeles, the project ensures that a landmark—which hosted iconic premieres for films ranging from 1963’s It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
to modern classics—will remain a functioning part of the city’s cultural landscape for years to come.
