Cinema VinesLos Angeles – The Cinerama Dome, the iconic Hollywood theater that closed its doors during the COVID‑19 pandemic, is set to return to life after a comprehensive restoration plan announced by Sony Pictures Entertainment, the parent company of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. The plan calls for the Dome’s reopening in early 2028, with Alamo Drafthouse taking over operations of the 86‑foot‑wide curved screen and a nearby 14‑theater complex that once belonged to ArcLight Cinemas.
Alamo’s strategy preserves the Dome’s distinctive geodesic exterior and the large logo that have made it a Hollywood landmark since its 1963 debut. While the Dome will not feature the in‑theater dining that has become a hallmark of other Drafthouse venues, its massive screen will continue to support 70‑mm projection – a format that has recently seen a resurgence thanks to Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.”
“There is no movie‑going destination anywhere in the world that commands the affection, history, and cultural significance of the Cinerama Dome,” said Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment. “It represents the kind of singular experience we value and champion.” Alamo Drafthouse CEO Michael Kustermann added that the Dome would become the chain’s new West Coast flagship theater.
The Dome’s original 1963 commission by Pacific Theatres founder William R. Forman introduced a state‑of‑the‑art system that used three projectors to project onto its custom curved screen. When it shut down in April 2021, it was one of only three theaters worldwide still capable of that technology. Pacific Theatres cited the pandemic as the reason for its closure.
Industry reaction has been enthusiastic. Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of the Cinema United trade group, praised the news: “The Cinerama Dome has been a treasured and important landmark for movie fans and the entire film community for over six decades. The timing could not be better with moviegoers making clear this year that they love the unique experience of seeing a movie on the big screen.”
In addition to the Dome, Alamo Drafthouse will reopen the adjacent 14‑theater complex, which had been operated by ArcLight Cinemas before its 2021 shutdown. Those venues will feature in‑theater dining, although the chain has recently faced criticism for shifting to an in‑seat ordering system that relies on patrons’ personal phones.
