ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theaters to close permanently.

[ranger_scout]

Movie theaters, especially in the state of California, suffered a huge blow today. ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theaters will be permanently closing their doors. This decision means that plenty of movie houses in the heart of Hollywood and Los Angeles, most notably the iconic Cinerama Dome, will remain shuttered. These theaters were often home to movie premieres, special events, and press screenings. Boston, Chicago and the D.C. areas were also home to these cinemas. In 2019, they brought in a total of $114 million according to Indiwire. It's possible that a studio, streamer, or cinephile could buy the spaces, but we will just have to wait and see.

https://ew.com/movies/arclight-and-pacific-theatres-closing-permanently/

https://variety.com/2021/film/news/arclight-cinemas-closure-la-movie-lovers-in-mourning-1234949843/

[Coola Yagami]

Movie theaters, especially in the state of California, suffered a huge blow today. ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theaters will be permanently closing their doors. This decision means that plenty of movie houses in the heart of Hollywood and Los Angeles, most notably the iconic Cinerama Dome, will remain shuttered. These theaters were often home to movie premieres, special events, and press screenings. Boston, Chicago and the D.C. areas were also home to these cinemas. In 2019, they brought in a total of $114 million according to Indiwire. It's possible that a studio, streamer, or cinephile could buy the spaces, but we will just have to wait and see.

https://ew.com/movies/arclight-and-pacific-theatres-closing-permanently/

https://variety.com/2021/film/news/arclight-cinemas-closure-la-movie-lovers-in-mourning-1234949843/

Like.... why? We're re-opening and people are gonna start flocking to theaters even if all they'll show is Wiseau's The Room. Like I understand if the lockdowns were extended to the winter or whatever, but now that we're re-opening, they can't tough it out a few more weeks?

[Andrew NDB]

Like.... why? We're re-opening and people are gonna start flocking to theaters even if all they'll show is Wiseau's The Room. Like I understand if the lockdowns were extended to the winter or whatever, but now that we're re-opening, they can't tough it out a few more weeks?

Because that's not the way business/banks (or let's just call it "the real world") works. Not on feelings and hopes but actions or inactions.

[Coola Yagami]

Because that's not the way business/banks (or let's just call it "the real world") works. Not on feelings and hopes but actions or inactions.

Yeah but actions. Aren't people desperate to do something and now we're finally reopening? People should be going to theaters no matter what's on.

[sdp]

https://media.tenor.com/images/6eb4039ada12d5d8e0610f052439c7f1/tenor.gif
https://i.gifer.com/7Rcc.gif
https://i.makeagif.com/media/1-18-2017/tlBsYu.gif
https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/037/923/keikaku.jpg

https://www.indiewire.com/2022/03/mpa-2021-theme-report-box-office-streaming-1234707572/
Streaming is king

[IMJ]

Yeah but actions. Aren't people desperate to do something and now we're finally reopening? People should be going to theaters no matter what's on.

I think what you are going to see first is young people out being a little wild and obnoxious for a while. After that you'll see a trickle the wider population going out, and even then it will take a while.

[Roseangelo]

The movie industry in general is going to be rocky for at least the next two years.

[Papenbrook]

That's saddening.

Hundreds of people are now out of jobs. Heartbreaking.

I wish them well.

[ranger_scout]

Here’s who could potentially save the Cinerama Dome.

https://variety.com/2021/film/news/arclight-pacific-theatres-cinerama-dome-future-1234950561/

[CyberCubed]

I wonder if Star Wars Episode 9 will be the last movie I ever see in theaters. Kind of ironic Rise of Skywalker turned out to be my final theatrical experience.

[Leo656]

Only if you choose it to be. There's stuff playing near you right now, you simply choose not to "take a chance" despite the risk of getting hit by a car on your way into the theater being greater. That's up to you.

I feel bad, I actually can't even remember the last thing I saw in theaters since we kinda stopped going as much for a while since nothing good was really coming out. Might've been "Joker", I think.

The biggest thing was, the one gym I was working at which was right around the corner from the cheaper (and yet better) movie theater closed down, so when I wasn't working over there anymore there was less incentive to just go see a movie after work on a whim. And then for the next year when I was working at the gym closer to my house, the closest theater was only ten minutes away from work but my work schedule was such that I couldn't guarantee I'd get out early enough to actually go. So we kinda just stopped making plans after a while. We could've gone on weekends more often than we did, but I get super lazy on weekends.

So, I feel pretty bad that we didn't go more often in the year before Covid hit, but a lot of that was on me being overworked and grouchy and lazy. We always really like going to the movie theater, it just was a bit of a hassle at that point for reasons that had nothing to do with the theater itself. I honestly couldn't be bothered to come home and watch a movie on the TV by then, either; I'd usually just eat, play a game and go to sleep. I'd always say, "Yeah, we'll go see _____" but we almost never did.

[superstaff]

The last thing I saw in theaters was Nobody. Last week.

Before that, I saw the first Platinum Dunes TMNT re-playing at AMC (garbage movie, but we saw it for the hilarity) and Raya and the Last Dragon.

Nobody had a crowd, for the other movies it was just me and my spouse.

[Andrew NDB]

Godzilla vs. Kong was jam-packed when I saw it, and I couldn't even go to the earlier showing I wanted to go to because everything but the front two rows were sold out. Were it not for the 50% restriction, I believe the theater would have been sold out entirely or very, very close to.

[superstaff]

Godzilla vs. Kong was jam-packed when I saw it, and I couldn't even go to the earlier showing I wanted to go to because everything but the front two rows were sold out. Were it not for the 50% restriction, I believe the theater would have been sold out entirely or very, very close to.

I haven't seen GvK, but I agree. People came out in full force to see it.

Heck. When AMC first re-opened, they sold tickets for 15 cents as a promotion to celebrate their 100th anniversary, and tempt people back to the theater. All the movies were reruns. All got sold out in my area, and I went to see Jumanji: The Next Level because everything else was virtually sold out.

[ranger_scout]

I am still going to cinemas because I like feeling part of a community. Also, my best friends and I live miles away from each other's houses and theaters have always been more convenient places. Before the announcement of these independent chains closing, movie theater analysts actually said the outlook for 2022 and 2023 is looking positive.

https://deadline.com/2021/04/movie-theaters-box-office-rebound-2022-uptick-2023-covid-19-1234732297/

Seeing Godzilla vs. Kong in a Dolby Cinema was worth every cent because I felt like I was part of the movie.

[Leo656]

If I'd paid anything at all to watch GvK I would have felt like it was too much.

I technically paid for my HBO Max subscription, but at least with that I can watch Chapelle's Show. :lol:

[ranger_scout]

It's still not too late to end other cinemas.

ArcLight Hollywood May Be Closing, but It’s Not Too Late to Save Other Cinemas (https://variety.com/2021/film/opinion/arclight-hollywood-closing-save-cinerama-dome-1234951659/)

[ranger_scout]

Here's an update on whether Arclight and Pacific could return at some point.

Conversations with sources this past week believe these theaters will come back, it’s just a matter of who, when and whether it’s Decurion in some shape or form in the end as a minority partner.

Everything out there is pure speculation and not solid, as Arclight/Pacific/Decurion has gone radio silent in their lease negotiations. In regards to those kicking the tires, I can tell you it’s not Alamo (which is contending with bankruptcy), AMC, or Netflix. In regards to Netflix, despite their purchases of the Paris and American Cinematheque, they have no yearnings to own a greater theater and stray beyond their wheelhouse of streaming. But all of this is a gut check to the motion picture industry: If you want to truly mess around with theatrical windows and do audacious things like play day-and-date on streaming, this is what happens. Movie theaters close down, especially as they try to resuscitate themselves after a year of lockdown.

https://deadline.com/2021/04/godzilla-vs-kong-weekend-box-office-arclight-cinemas-cinerama-dome-1234737707/

[ranger_scout]

The CEO of the Marcus Corp. movie chain says that they are interested in buying Arclight Cinemas.

https://deadline.com/2021/05/marcus-ceo-greg-marcus-movie-theaters-arclight-cinemas-pacific-theaters-1234750348/

[FrederikWolferson]

How did any theater survive 2020?

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

How did any theater survive 2020?

This would still have happened, with the arrival of Internet services. What the Coronavirus did was just speeding up the process. But remember how cinemas were right before the pandemic.

People were talking in mobile telephones while the movies were played, disturbing other people. Why would people go to such a place? Yes, you miss the big screen and all that. But does it matter if someone ruins your day?

And then you had the commercials and trailers playing before the movie, even if you had just paid an expensive price for the tickets.

[FrederikWolferson]

That was my point,people already got used to watching new movies on HBO Max and similar things. Even if things ever get back to normal (which I doubt),that will be a tough habit to break.

[CyberCubed]

Yeah, other than maybe a very big or important movie, I don't think I'll be going to theaters much even when they do open 100%.

Maybe only 1-2 movies a year at most.

[IMJ]

Yeah, other than maybe a very big or important movie, I don't think I'll be going to theaters much even when they do open 100%.

Maybe only 1-2 movies a year at most.

It was going in that direction before the pandemic anyway. Maybe more movies than 1 or 2, but basically if it wasn't an "event" flick then it struggled. It's been that way for years now.

[FrederikWolferson]

And with the economy now taking damage,a lot of people will write off movies and eating out as luxuries.

[IMJ]

And with the economy now taking damage,a lot of people will write off movies and eating out as luxuries.

It could be the other way around. There's a lot of money being spent out there and the real damage isn't a lack of customers - it's inflation. People are paying basically any amount to get what they want.

20 bucks for a popcorn is already insanity. I can't imagine how it's going to look once the inflation hits. I was buying some new doors at Lowes the other day. Their f'n casing sets were 25 bucks a pop, man. That should be a 15 dollar trim item.

[FrederikWolferson]

It could be the other way around. There's a lot of money being spent out there and the real damage isn't a lack of customers - it's inflation. People are paying basically any amount to get what they want.

20 bucks for a popcorn is already insanity. I can't imagine how it's going to look once the inflation hits. I was buying some new doors at Lowes the other day. Their f'n casing sets were 25 bucks a pop, man. That should be a 15 dollar trim item.
How does that translate into a better deal for cinemas?

[IMJ]

How does that translate into a better deal for cinemas?

The "Could be the other way around part" was referencing the directionality of the economy causing damage because of inflation as opposed to causing damage because of lack of business at this time. I must constantly remind myself to be obtusely clear here in this community.

[FrederikWolferson]

The "Could be the other way around part" was referencing the directionality of the economy causing damage because of inflation as opposed to causing damage because of lack of business at this time. I must constantly remind myself to be obtusely clear here in this community.

Yeah,tone doesn't really translate into writing.

[IMJ]

Yeah,tone doesn't really translate into writing.


8)8):tcool:

[ranger_scout]

AMC Theaters just raised $230 million and are now in talks with the landlords of Arclight Cinemas and Pacific Theaters to purchase the locations.

https://deadline.com/2021/06/amc-entertainment-stock-sale-230-million-acquisitions-talks-landlords-arclight-cinemas-and-pacific-theatres-1234767004/

[ranger_scout]

AMC Theaters just raised $230 million and are now in talks with the landlords of Arclight Cinemas and Pacific Theaters to purchase the locations.

https://deadline.com/2021/06/amc-entertainment-stock-sale-230-million-acquisitions-talks-landlords-arclight-cinemas-and-pacific-theatres-1234767004/

Now AMC is nearing a deal to purchase some of the leases.

https://deadline.com/2021/06/amc-pacific-theatres-grove-americana-movie-theaters-arclight-1234775901/

ETA: Here is an article about Arclight and Pacific Theaters’ final chapter.

https://variety.com/2021/film/news/arclight-cinerama-dome-pacific-theatres-chris-forman-1234996192/

[Andrew NDB]

How did any theater survive 2020?

By shutting down and laying everybody off. Possibly with loans that don't need to be paid back if they bring back all their staffs.

[ranger_scout]

Pacific Theaters has now filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.

After a year of the pandemic’s devastating effect, Pacific Theatres Exhibition Corporation announced in April that it would not reopen its ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theatres locations. Having taken steps to wind down the business, the company today is seeking protection under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code in order to liquidate its remaining assets for the benefit of its creditors.

We are deeply grateful to our employees, our guests, and the film community for coming together over the past decades to create so many wonderful moviegoing experiences. We are overwhelmed by the extraordinary outpouring of memories. Thank you for sharing these with us.

We will miss you all.

https://deadline.com/2021/06/pacific-theatres-files-for-chapter-7-bankruptcy-1234778039/

[ranger_scout]

AMC has now officially finalized the deal to own the 14-screen Grove Theatre in Los Angeles and the 18-screen Americana at Brand Theatre in Glendale, CA. They are currently planned to reopen in August.

“AMC remains in active discussions with other property owners regarding additional currently closed locations,” reads the No. 1 circuit’s press release Monday.

Three auditoriums at each location will get premium large-format screen renovations. An IMAX at AMC, Dolby Cinema at AMC and PRIME at AMC all will be offered at The Grove as well at The Americana at Brand theatres.

“The Grove and The Americana at Brand theatres are among the most successful theatres in the greater Los Angeles area, and we look forward to delivering the high-quality experience for guests visiting these theatres that AMC is known for in the Los Angeles area and nationally,” AMC CEO and president Adam Aron said today. “AMC is proud to be expanding in the movie-making capital of the world. And we are eager to get started as soon as possible, showcasing for our guests at these two theatres the exciting lineup of movies scheduled throughout the rest of 2021.”

Aron added, “These two theatres each are located in world-class lifestyle centers offering the best in retail, dining and entertainment options. Each was conceived and is run by Caruso, one of the largest and most admired privately-held real estate companies in the United States. It is a distinct honor and privilege for AMC to be included in these successful and beautiful Caruso developments, which literally strive for perfection in every detail.”

Said Caruso: “Nothing can replace the movie-going experience. Even with the advancement of technology bringing content to us in the comfort of our homes, going to the movies remains an important part of our lives because nothing can ever replace the shared experience of being in a movie theater. Simply put, some movies are made to be enjoyed together. We are excited to partner with AMC – the best management team in the business with a laser focus on the guest experience. AMC has the largest footprint of theaters in the world, giving them global authority on innovation. As we look ahead to reopening, we are confident that we will continue to see audiences at our movie theaters creating cherished memories for years to come. Los Angeles, welcome back to the movies!”



https://deadline.com/2021/07/amc-pacific-theatres-grove-americana-movie-theaters-arclight-1234775901/

[ranger_scout]

Earlier this year, the Arclight Cinemas at the Sherman Oaks Galleria was taken over by Regal Cinemas. Now Landmark Theaters will be taking over a former location in Glenview, Illinois.

https://deadline.com/2021/11/landmark-theatres-arclight-cinemas-glen-town-center-takeover-1234882338/

There was a report that the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood would be reopening in the first half of 2022, but it's not actually true.

https://deadline.com/2021/12/cinerama-dome-closed-status-hollywood-movie-theater-1234898930/

[ranger_scout]

AMC Theaters has now acquired the leases to a former Pacific Theaters at the Northridge Fashion Center in Northridge, CA, and an Arclight Cinemas in Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL. They are both scheduled to reopen as part of the company's chain in the spring of 2022.

That brings to four the former Pacific & Arclight locations AMC has acquired in 2021. AMC said it remains in active discussions with other property owners regarding additional currently closed locations.

“These theatres have previously been high-traffic, successful locations, in two of AMC’s top markets, and we are pleased to offer the AMC experience at them a few months from now in 2022,” said AMC CEO Adam Aron. “These are prime examples of how AMC is staying on offense, looking for opportunities to strengthen our company through the acquisition of these popular locations.”

He said the exhibitor’s most recent acquisitions of AMC The Grove 14 and AMC Americana at Brand 18 are already showing success, routinely finishing in the top 10 theatres in box office performance among more than 150 theatres in the LA market, and in the top 30 in the U.S.

https://deadline.com/2021/12/amc-entertainment-arclight-and-pacific-theatres-la-chicago-1234900923/

[ranger_scout]

AMC Theaters has picked up two more former Arclight Cinemas locations. One in LaJolla, California, and another near Washington D.C. I've always liked AMC Theaters and I am glad that they are continuing to help their chain grow.

https://deadline.com/2022/02/amc-entertainment-arclight-theaters-san-diego-1234928467/

[ranger_scout]

https://www.indiewire.com/2022/03/mpa-2021-theme-report-box-office-streaming-1234707572/
Streaming is king

The global box office still rebounded last year though.

https://www.boxofficepro.com/global-box-office-rebounds-to-21-3-billion-in-2021-as-exhibition-transitions-from-closures-to-blockbusters/