One of Los Angeles’ most recognizable movie theaters is preparing for a comeback. The historic Cinerama Dome, closed since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the theatrical business in 2020, is expected to reopen in 2028 under a new agreement involving Sony Pictures and the theater’s owners. The revival is being celebrated by movie lovers and preservationists as a symbol of renewed confidence in the communal experience of watching films in theaters.
Built in 1963 on Sunset Boulevard, the Cinerama Dome is instantly recognizable because of its distinctive white geodesic structure. Originally constructed to showcase the widescreen Cinerama film format, the theater later became one of Hollywood’s most beloved movie palaces. Its architectural significance was formally recognized in 1998, when Los Angeles designated it a historic-cultural monument.
The theater’s closure became particularly symbolic of the damage inflicted on Hollywood by the pandemic. With theaters shuttered and streaming accelerating, questions emerged about whether audiences would ever return to cinemas at pre-pandemic levels. For years, the Dome remained closed without a definite reopening date.
That uncertainty changed when Sony Pictures announced in July that the theater would return. Under the agreement, Alamo Drafthouse, the cinema chain Sony acquired in 2024, will operate the venue. Importantly, the Dome’s historic identity will be maintained. Its 956-seat single-screen auditorium and famous curved screen are expected to remain, while the Dome itself will offer traditional movie-theater concessions rather than Alamo’s standard dine-in experience.
The Cinerama Dome is not the only classic Los Angeles cinema experiencing a revival. The Westwood Village theater, purchased by a group of filmmakers that includes Steven Spielberg, Jason Reitman and Guillermo del Toro, is expected to reopen in 2027. The nearby Bruin theater is also preparing to return, while actor and filmmaker Kristen Stewart has purchased the century-old Highland Park theater.
Together, these developments suggest that historic cinemas may have a valuable role in the future of moviegoing. Instead of competing with streaming services simply by providing access to films, distinctive theaters can offer something that watching at home cannot easily reproduce: architecture, large-format presentation, social interaction and a shared cultural experience.
There are also encouraging signs at the box office. The 2026 summer box office had surpassed $4 billion, reaching that threshold for only the second time since 2020 and doing so earlier than in 2023. Annual domestic revenue was projected to potentially reach $10 billion for the first time since the pandemic.
Yet Hollywood’s recovery remains complicated. Los Angeles continues to struggle with declining film production, while independent filmmakers face difficulties securing financing. Shooting days in the city fell significantly between early 2024 and early 2025 as productions moved elsewhere because of costs, competing tax incentives and other factors. Studios also remain cautious about financing unconventional projects.
At the same time, unexpected successes from smaller films are challenging assumptions that audiences will only attend theaters for expensive franchises and spectacle. Some industry observers believe younger audiences are also developing enthusiasm for theatrical moviegoing, helped by online film communities and platforms such as TikTok and Letterboxd.
The return of the Cinerama Dome therefore represents more than the restoration of a famous Hollywood landmark. After years of predictions about the decline of traditional cinema, its revival suggests audiences still value theaters as cultural destinations. Hollywood’s business model may continue changing, but Los Angeles’ effort to preserve and reopen its historic movie palaces offers an encouraging message: streaming has transformed entertainment, but the experience of going to the movies is far from disappearing.
