ArcLight chain shuts down in sign that theatres are still in trouble
ARCLIGHT Cinemas and Pacific Theatres, two movie-theatre chains that are part of the same company, announced plans to close permanently, underscoring the still-tenuous state of the industry.
The move follows a year-long hiatus because of coronavirus pandemic. The theatres, known for their reserved seating and eschewing ads before screenings, said Monday that they will not reopen their doors. The chains’ locations include the Cinerama
Dome, a Hollywood landmark that opened in 1963.
“Despite a huge effort that exhausted all potential options, the company does not have a viable way forward,” said Decurion, the theatres’ parent company.
The chains had 17 locations and 234 screens across California, as well as Boston, Chicago and the District of Columbia as of 2019, according to Boxoffice Pro.
Like many theatres, they struggled under the weight of the pandemic, which forced cinemas across the world to close and studios to delay the release of new films.
The industry has seen cause for optimism in recent weeks, with “Godzilla vs. Kong” becoming the biggest hit since the pandemic began.
But theatres remain under tremendous pressure, with capacity limits and an uncertain supply of blockbuster films making it harder to break even.