Cinerama Dome to Reopen Under Sony Pictures and Alamo Drafthouse

Key Points:

• Sony Pictures Entertainment has acquired the historic Cinerama Dome in Hollywood and plans to reopen and restore it, along with the adjoining multiplex, under the operation of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, after six years of closure since the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Renovations on the Dome will start next month and continue through early 2028, with the Dome retaining its iconic name, exterior branding, and large-format 70mm curved screen, while the adjacent 14-screen multiplex will become an Alamo location featuring premium formats and archival film capabilities.
• The Dome will not operate as a dine-in theater like other Alamo locations but will host Alamo’s programming, including repertory screenings, filmmaker series, premieres, and special events, preserving its legacy as a unique moviegoing destination.
• The closure of the Dome and Arclight Cinemas in 2020 followed Pacific Theatres' bankruptcy, leaving a major gap in Hollywood's cinema venues, but Sony’s acquisition and Alamo’s involvement signal a significant revival for the landmark theater.
• Sony’s acquisition of Alamo Drafthouse in 2024 marks a major shift in the industry, as it expands its theater portfolio alongside investments in immersive venues like Cosm, overcoming previous studio ownership restrictions under the Paramount Decrees.