Who will step in to save LA’s most beloved movie theaters?

The most beloved movie theaters in Los Angeles are closing. Now cinephiles in the movie-obsessed city are shining a Bat-Signal into the sky, hoping a deep-pocketed company (or individual) will swoop in and rescue them. The question is: Who will answer the call?

ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theatres are permanently shuttering all 16 of their southern California locations, the theater chains announced in a statement yesterday, citing financial hardship brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. “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 said. Both chains, which are owned by the Los Angeles-based real estate development company Decurion, had been closed since March 2020.

Film fans—including several prominent filmmakers and actors—are devastated. ArcLight’s theaters were some of the most well-liked moviegoing destinations in the US, and were commonly used to host major Hollywood premieres. Patrons enjoyed their commitment to a high-touch cinematic experience: Ushers would come into theaters and personally introduce each film, for instance. Pacific’s Cinerama theater, best known for its iconic geodesic dome, was among the most famous cinemas in the world, with cameos in everything from HBO’s Entourage to Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

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