ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific’s Iconic Cinerama Dome Close

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - 10 NOV 2020: ArcLight Hollywood is a 15-screen multiplex at the iconic Cinerama Dome on Sunset boulevard. (Credit: Shutterstock)

The iconic Pacific Cinerama Dome in Hollywood is going dark for good after the ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theatres chains announced they would not reopen due to the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The parent company announced the decision Monday in a statement posted to PacificTheatres.com.

“After shutting our doors more than a year ago, today we must share the difficult and sad news that Pacific will not be reopening its ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theatres locations. This was not the outcome anyone wanted, but despite a huge effort that exhausted all potential options, the company does not have a viable way forward,” the statement by Decurion Corp said.

“To all the Pacific and ArcLight employees who have devoted their professional lives to making our theaters the very best places in the world to see movies: we are grateful for your service and your dedication to our customers. To our guests and members of the film industry who have made going to the movies such a magical experience over the years: our deepest thanks. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve you.”

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Fans of the theater chains, including Hollywood insiders, mourned the loss across social media.

Actress and director Regina King tweeted: “Nooooo, not the ArcLight! Got damn you pandemic!!!”

Empire TV writer and director Eric Haywood tweeted about a memory from the ArcLight: “Black Panther. Opening night at the ArcLight. Whew you had to be there.”

Training Day screenwriter David Ayer tweeted: “ArcLight Hollywood was my spot when I wanted to study a movie. And the Dome. It’s a sacred venue. Theaters are too powerful an experience for them to fade away.”

Other celebrities including Mindy Kaling shared ideas on how the ArcLight could be saved.

“I feel like the ArcLight’s not really gone and some corporation has already bought it and this is part of a strategy to cause mourning and then they swoop in and save it and we love them and forget they’re a corporation. I mean, that’s how I would do it and I’m evil,” the actress tweeted.

Another actor tweeted: “Brad Pitt buy the ArcLight challenge.”

The Hollywood ArcLight location was prominently featured in Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood.

ArcLight locations include the iconic Pacific Cinerama Dome on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood and five other Los Angeles locations.


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About Jacquelinne Mejia

Jacquelinne Mejia is a writer and social media producer in Los Angeles. She can be reached on Twitter @JackieMejia.