AMC Woodbridge 5
4626 Barranca Parkway,
Irvine,
CA
92604
4626 Barranca Parkway,
Irvine,
CA
92604
6 people
favorited this theater
Showing 76 - 94 of 94 comments
The 2017 price increase/move to first run was primarily due to a growing difficulty in securing bookings. Many of the top tittles simply weren’t being made available for subrun anymore. Couple that with AMC’s business approach (i.e. they were never exactly on board with subrun)and the change was basically unavoidable. As for pitting the Woodbridge against local full price theatres, there was a belief that it would attract people who wouldn’t pay full price, but not draw from people who would pay more for added amenities elsewhere (i.e. Tustin). The ultimate success/failure of the change is debatable.
The marquee removal was the result of a company wide movement to eliminate marquees; viewing them as antiquated and no longer cost effective. Personally, I always felt this particular site benefited greatly from having a marquee, but there was no room for a “unique” case and a blanket corporate policy took precedence.
AMC has now removed the marquee and replaced it with a huge red AMC logo. Films and showtimes are now printed on a piece of paper taped to the box office. This appears to be a growing trend in the industry as most people use their phones now to see what’s playing. Kind of sad, especially when it happens to your childhood theater.
Walked by today and was surprised to see titles like “Dunkirk” and “War for the Planet of the Apes” listed on the marquee. Matinees are actually $4.99 ($7.99 for 3D) until 4PM, then $6.99 until close ($9.99 for 3D). Still better prices than any other first-run venue in the area.
Seems rather odd, though, that AMC would pit the little five-screen Woodbridge against its nearby Tustin/District multiplex for fist-run choices. Screen size aside, why would your average patron pay $12.69 for a matinee of “Dunkirk” when they could pay $4.99 just a couple of miles down the street.
The theatre never closed for refurbishment; it merely opened late on 1/21/16 to accommodate a conversion to AMC’s network and POS systems. Thus far, the changes have been more back office/support systems/procedure oriented.
Walked by the theater this weekend. No noticeable changes other than ticket prices on the marquee are now $1.99/$2.99 instead of $2/$3. Only AMC signage visible is a little sign in the box office window.
I see this theater officially becomes an AMC venue today, all part of AMC’s $172 million acquisition of Starplex. Per Fandango, tickets are still $2. Apparently the Woodbridge has been closed all week for refurbishment. Anyone know more?
“The Rocketeer” was presented at Edwards Woodbridge in 35mm Dolby Stereo beginning on Friday June 21, 1991.
On July 23, 2010, the Woodbridge will begin offering digital projection in two auditoriums (#2 & #3), with 3-D capabilities. By year’s end, all five auditoriums will be converted to digital.
The Woodbridge 5 celebrates its 30th anniversary this coming Saturday, Feb. 13. Festivities run from Noon to 10 pm and include auditorium pre-show programming showcasing music and noteworthy events from 1980, commemorative programs, a free movie poster raffle, lobby and auditorium contests for an assortment of movie memorabilia, movie passes, and gift cards, A $1 per ticket charity raffle for an iPod Nano, with additional prizes to be announced, $1 hot dogs, performances by locally famous “Wonder Dog”, plus, a special surprise for all guests.
For more information call 949.733.3795.
As for a rundown of names/operators:
1979 – 2/7/80
Mann Woodbridge
Technically, it was a Mann until noon of the grand opening (2/7/80).
The theatre was initially planned/announced as a four plex; a fifth auditorium (house #1) was added shortly before construction began.
2/7/80 – ¼/01
Edwards Woodbridge Cinemas
3/27/01 – 3/29/05
Captain Blood’s Woodbridge Family 5 & Captain’s Woodbridge Family 5
At some point, the “Blood” appeared to have been dropped.
6/24/05 – Present
Starplex Woodbridge Movies 5, Starplex Woodbridge Dollar Movies 5, & Starplex Woodbridge 5
The specific name has varied slightly between media outlets and even within the company.
The “Dollar” moniker was temporarily utilized when the theatre transitioned from $2 & $3 ticket pricing to $1 & $1.50 pricing, in the fall of 2005.
This theater has actually been a Starplex second-run veneue for many years now.
I work for the current operator and was the GM for this theatre’s relaunch. The signage Stuart spoke of, similar to a child’s “Light Brite” toy (in reverse), is still partially intact. While no longer used and covered over, we ran across the remnants when we were setting up the current light box signage. It must have been something memorable in it’s day, as numerous locals spoke of the old sign.
Fortunately, the Woodbridge has found a new life as a discount theatre. After years of languishing in the shadow of nearby “modern” theatres, the Woodbridge has experienced quite the rebirth and regularly experiences capacity crowds (it does some impressive attendance for a neighborhood five plex).
Also another cool thing I remember was the marquee streetside. It was a rotating metal cage about 8 feet long (think of a thick log being rolled around) with 5 panels that had lots of 2" holes in it. Inside the cage were lamps. We then had a bunch of black plastic plugs to fill the holes that should not light up. And voila! The oddest lit signage you might come across. It didn’t work when I transferred there – and I think the staff called it my folly in that I constantly tried to get it to work!
Not as cool as the black out signs in Westwood Village but rather unique.
I managed this theatre as “Edward’s Woodbridge 5 Cinemas” in the early 1980s for a short while.
Rumor had it that Drew Barrymore showed up when we screened “E.T.”.
The theatre seemed to do well and I am surprised to hear about Edwards Cinemas going bankrupt.
One fond memory were the coin operated video machines along the lobby wall which was a gold mine for the company. I remember spending way too much time playing ‘Defender’.
I’m sure nobody will miss that moronic Captain Blood name.
“Captain Blood” lost their/his lease in early Spring 0f 2005. The theatre was picked up by the Starplex Cinemas chain (a large nation wide chain, based out of Dallas, TX.). Under Starplex’s management, the theatre was closed and almost completely renovated. Beyond cosmetic changes to the lobby and hallways (gone is Blood’s high school haunted house theme), the projectors, soundsystems, seating, curtains, fixtures, etc. were replaced. Additionally, a new management/staff team was put in place. The current theatre operates as a “mid run” (movies which have been in circulation for 3 – 4 weeks) venue.
The theatre is now upgraded to modern standards (minus stadium seating) and called Starplex Woodbridge 5.
The promises that Todd Blood makes would materialize if it was not all BS. He is a professional in the way he runs his franchise. He is a professional in the way that he has learned how to manipulate and steal from his employees to live lavishly.
“Captain Blood” is not listed as a “chain,” if that is what WASSUP is referring to.
there more captain blood theatres in california beside this one look them up