Results of the year-long pandemic continue to have a ripple effect.
Pacific Theaters, which owns the arthouse chain Arclight Cinemas, announces it will not be reopening any of its locations even as Los Angeles theaters are reopen with 50% capacity limits.
“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,” the chain said in a statement.
“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.”
Pacific Theaters held more than 300 screens in Californiaincluding seven Arclight Cinemas locations. Arclight also had locations in Boston, Chicago, and Bethesda, Maryland.
In Los Angeles, Arclight chain was best known for its flagship location in Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard, which included the historic Cinerama Dome.
Built back in 1963, the Cinerama Dome was the first new major theater built in Los Angeles in more than 30 years and hosted the world premiere of the Stanley Kramer comedy “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.”
Before the pandemic, the Arclight Hollywood was the key location for indie distributors like A24, Focus, and Fox Searchlight to launch their limited theatrical strategy.
The pandemic has forced radical changes on the theatrical strategy and dismissed Arclight’s foothold for their indie films.
Read the full statement below:
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.
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.
Pacific Theatres
