One of Hollywood’s most beloved movie palaces is finally getting a second act. Sony Pictures Entertainment announced it will restore and reopen the legendary Cinerama Dome, ending a six-year closure that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The iconic theater, which first opened in 1963, will retain its historic Cinerama name while being operated by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema as part of a major restoration scheduled for completion in early 2028.
The adjacent 14-screen former ArcLight Hollywood complex will also reopen under the Alamo Drafthouse banner, bringing dine-in movie service, repertory programming, filmmaker events and premium large-format presentations back to one of Los Angeles’ most recognizable movie destinations.
Unlike the neighboring multiplex, the Dome itself will not become a dine-in theater. Instead, Sony says it will preserve the venue’s historic moviegoing experience, including its massive curved screen, traditional concessions and the distinctive character that has made it one of the world’s premier 70mm exhibition venues for more than six decades.
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“There is no moviegoing destination anywhere in the world that commands the affection, history, and cultural significance of the Cinerama Dome,” said Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and CEO Ravi Ahuja.
Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group, was equally enthusiastic.
“Hot damn! We’re bringing the Dome back, baby.”
The restoration continues Sony’s growing investment in theatrical exhibition following its 2024 acquisition of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. The company says the project reflects its commitment to preserving the communal moviegoing experience while creating new ways for audiences to engage with film through repertory screenings, premieres, filmmaker series and special events.
When it reopens in 2028, the Dome will once again stand as one of Hollywood’s defining cinematic landmarks, welcoming movie lovers beneath the geodesic roof that has become as iconic as many of the films that premiered inside it.
Can. Not. Wait.
