Sony Pictures Entertainment and Alamo Drafthouse announced Wednesday that they will restore and reopen the historic Cinerama Dome and the adjacent former ArcLight Cinemas complex in Hollywood. The landmark venues, shuttered since the COVID-19 pandemic, are scheduled to undergo renovations starting next month and are expected to reopen in early 2028.
The revival of the complex at 6360 Sunset Blvd. marks a significant investment in Hollywood’s cinematic infrastructure following a six-year closure. The move follows Sony’s acquisition of the Alamo Drafthouse chain in 2024.
Preserving the Cinerama Dome’s Geodesic Legacy
The Cinerama Dome, the world’s only concrete geodesic dome, will retain its iconic branding and exterior sign. According to apnews.com, the restoration will preserve the 86-foot-wide curved screen that has defined the venue since it opened in 1963. This specialized screen was originally designed to use three projectors to create a panoramic viewing experience.
While most Alamo Drafthouse locations are known for their in-theater dining, the Dome will be an exception. Sony officials stated the project will honor the traditional concession experience
that has served generations of moviegoers.
There is no moviegoing destination anywhere in the world that commands the affection, history, and cultural significance of the Cinerama Dome.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment
The Transition of ArcLight Hollywood to Alamo Drafthouse
Adjacent to the Dome, the former ArcLight Cinemas—a 14-theater complex—will be rebranded as the Alamo Drafthouse Hollywood.
The technical capabilities of the site will remain a primary draw for cinephiles. The ArcLight portion of the complex will also maintain 35mm capabilities to showcase archival film prints.
Recovery from the Pandemic Collapse
The vacancy sparked a prolonged grassroots effort to save the landmark. As reported by LAmag, a campaign led by Ben Steinberg included a petition with over 31,000 signatures and a projection of a reopening message onto the Dome earlier this year.
This reopening coincides with a broader recovery in the theatrical market. Data cited by Bisnow indicates the domestic box office has reached a total of $5.4B so far this year, the strongest showing since 2019.
Strategic Implications for the West Coast Flagship
For Sony and Alamo Drafthouse, the project is more than a real estate acquisition; it is a branding play. Michael Kustermann, CEO of Alamo Drafthouse and Head of Sony Pictures Experiences, described the Dome as the chain’s new West Coast flagship theater
. By pairing the high-margin dine-in model of the ArcLight complex with the prestige and cultural capital of the Cinerama Dome, Sony is hedging its bets on two different types of moviegoing: the social event and the purist’s cinematic experience.
The restoration is part of a wider trend of high-profile retail returns to Hollywood, including a high-end grocery store and a new spa complex at the former Amoeba Music building. The return of the Dome is expected to bring significant energy back to Sunset Boulevard, according to Ron Frierson, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
The timeline for the return is now set: construction begins in August, with the doors reopening to the public in early 2028. This ensures that one of the few remaining venues capable of true 70mm panoramic projection is preserved, bridging the gap between 1963’s technical ambition and the modern demand for large-format cinema.
