Jul
22,
2026
After years of uncertainty, one of Los Angeles’ most beloved movie landmarks, the Cinerama Dome, is officially getting a second act.
Sony Pictures Entertainment announced today that it will restore and reopen the legendary Cinerama Dome alongside the long-shuttered ArcLight Hollywood complex, with both venues to be operated by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. For movie lovers across Los Angeles, it’s the news they’ve been waiting years to hear.
The iconic geodesic Dome, which has stood on Sunset Boulevard since 1963, has remained dark since the pandemic forced the closure of Pacific Theatres and ArcLight Cinemas in 2021. Despite years of rumors, petitions, and false starts, Tuesday’s announcement marks the first definitive plan to bring the historic theater back to life.
Sony confirmed that the Cinerama Dome will retain its historic name, exterior signage, and distinctive identity while undergoing a careful restoration. Unlike traditional Alamo Drafthouse locations, the Dome itself will not feature in-theater dining, preserving the classic moviegoing experience that has made it an institution for generations of film fans.
The neighboring former ArcLight Hollywood multiplex, meanwhile, will reopen as Alamo Drafthouse Hollywood, offering the chain’s signature dine-in service alongside repertory screenings, filmmaker Q&As, premieres, special events, karaoke rooms, and premium-format presentations. The complex will also retain 35mm and 70mm projection capabilities; a welcome detail for cinephiles as interest in large-format film continues to surge.
“There is no moviegoing destination anywhere in the world that commands the affection, history, and cultural significance of the Cinerama Dome,” Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and CEO Ravi Ahuja said in announcing the project, calling the restoration “a meaningful moment” for both the company and Los Angeles.
Sony Motion Picture Group Chairman Tom Rothman echoed that excitement, emphasizing the company’s commitment to preserving one of Hollywood’s most treasured cinematic landmarks while ensuring it remains a vibrant destination for future generations.
The timing couldn’t be more fitting. Following a string of blockbuster theatrical successes and renewed audience enthusiasm for the big-screen experience, Hollywood’s most recognizable movie theater is poised to once again become a centerpiece of Los Angeles’ entertainment landscape.
Construction is expected to begin next month, with the restored Cinerama Dome and the new Alamo Drafthouse Hollywood scheduled to open in early 2028.
