Hollywood’s historic cinema may be reopening later than expected. Cinerama Dome, the cinema located in Sunset Boulevard closed during the pandemic and is being completely restored right now. While the reopening was expected for 2023, it now appears to be opening again in 2024 due to delays in the refurbishing. According to an article by Deadline, there were whispers and rumors about the reopening during this year’s CinemaCon before it was fully confirmed by their sources.
Built in 1963 to compensate for Cinerama films, the Dome is one of the few round movie theatres out there in Hollywood. The theater used three 35 mm projectors to properly capture the wide scope of Cinerama movies and project their images on a curved screen. There were plans to introduce more rounded theaters, but the high expenses of widescreen theaters caused the fad to fizzle out. Still, the Cinerama Dome remains a prominent icon for Hollywood and continues to show films there from big blockbusters to independent films.
The pandemic caused the closure of many venues dedicated to independent cinema from Cinerama Dome to Landmark’s Crown Pico Blvd. Jewel location. Landmark recently announced they are taking the AMC Sunset Blvd location and hopefully reopening this Summer.
After the closure of the Dome, AMC’s Burbank and Century City locations have served as temporary venues for independent filmmakers. Both locations presented A24’ Beau is Afraid and managed to help it become a box office success, grossing respectively $68K and $50K.