Big changes are coming to Valley movie theaters
Things are changing in movies in the Valley this fall — and not just what’s on the screen.
A host of changes are underway at several movie theater chains in metro Phoenix. Some of them have new names or ownership, while others are undergoing renovations and closures. Many of the changes were a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which closed theaters completely for a long stretch. The impact was financially devastating on many businesses, movie theaters in particular. No audience meant no income.
Of course, all of this does not affect what you see when you’re inside, but in some cases, it will change the way you experience the movies.
Goodbye, Alamo Drafthouse. Hello, Majestic Theaters
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema theaters have a new name in Arizona — Majestic Theaters. Local franchise owners
Craig and Kim Paschich, who declared bankruptcy in 2020, reached an agreement to split from the Texas-based Alamo. Now, they’ll operate the former Alamo theaters under the new name. Majestic Theaters in Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe are set to open under the new name on Sept. 3.
“If you’ve been to one of our locations before, it will feel familiar, even if the name has changed,” the owners say on the company’s website. The company’s website doesn’t list COVID-19 protocols.
Details: Multiple locations. 4955 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 5478 S. Power Road, Gilbert. 1140 E. Baseline Road, Tempe.majesticphx.com/ phoenix/home.
Landmark Theatres replaces the iPic
Landmark Theatres will open in Scottsdale Quarter, the former home of iPic Theatre, which closed in January 2020. The company’s website does not give a specific date for opening.
The California-based Landmark spe
cializes in independent films, operating 220 screens in 23 markets. The dine-in options will disappear, but the Arizona theater will have a concession menu.
“The theatre features plush, luxury recliner seating and concessions will range from all the usual movie theatre snacks to an expanded menu of gourmet items and a full-service bar and lounge,” the company’s website says. Landmark says on its website that it is tailoring COVID-19 restrictions to local guidelines.
Details: 15257 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale.landmarktheatres.com.
Touchstar Cinemas comes to Scottsdale
Touchstar Cinemas, based in Florida, will open in Scottsdale in the Sonora
Village shopping center the former location of Studio Movie Grill. The latter closed in 2020 due to the pandemic and never reopened. The company’s website does not list a specific opening date.
Touchstar theaters offer a dine-in option with food delivery to your seat, according to its website. The company’s website doesn’t list COVID-19 protocols.
Details: 15515 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale.touchstarcinemas.com.
Harkins closes its north Phoenix theater as renovations continue
Finally, Harkins Theatres has said it will close its North Valley 16 location by the end of 2021.
In making the announcement, Harkins suggested it might open a new location in the area.
“While we are closing this chapter,” the company said in a statement, “stay tuned for exciting information about our future plans for a new state-of-the-art theatre nearby.”
It hasn’t announced what or where that theater will be.
Harkins has been remodeling several of its theaters in recent years. In the last year, the company has finished renovations on its SanTan Village and Arizona Mills locations in the Valley. It is currently renovating its Tempe Marketplace theater.
The company also announced that it will be building its first dine-in theater at Lake Pleasant Towne Center in Peoria — a 40,000-square-foot theater scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2022. Harkins’ website says face coverings are strongly encouraged.
Details: Multiple locations. 2298 E. Williams Field Rd, Gilbert. 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. harkins.com.
Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goody koontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk. Subscribe to the weekly movies newsletter.