AMC Dine-In Fullerton 20

1001 S. Lemon Street,
Fullerton, CA 92832

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AMC Theatres (Official)

Additional Info

Operated by: AMC Theatres

Functions: Movies (First Run)

Previous Names: AMC Fullerton 8, AMC Fullerton 10, AMC Fullerton 20

Nearby Theaters

AMC Dine-In Fullerton 20

The history of AMC’s Fullerton location is a tale of three theatres. Opened on December 18, 1987 as an eight-plex, the theatre was expanded in to a ten-plex in 1992, and eventually a twenty-plex on May 16, 1997.

The initial addition was seamless, as two large auditoriums were added on to the existing structure. However, the mega plex expansion called for a second, separate, building to be constructed across from the original theatre, with two free standing box offices between the structures.

The resulting complex caused a host of logistical problems, most notably, the “bad side vs. good side” mentality among patrons. The original theatres, labeled “the classic side” by AMC, were/are standard 1980’s multiplex in design. The auditoriums, labeled “the stadium side” by AMC, were prototypical late-1990’s mega-plex. In addition to the two diverse styles, the Fullerton 20 was also plagued by a severe lack of parking, as the addition was constructed over a large portion of the parking lot. This problem was later corrected when another building on the property was purchased and demolished for parking.

The eight and ten-plex versions of the Fullerton theatre saw business levels that far exceeded the facility. Box office and hold out lines regularly stretched in to the parking lot, with the undersized lobby usually packed to full capacity. Yet, with the seemingly needed expansion to a twenty-plex, the facility frequently stood as more than the market demanded.

Today, the moderately successful Fullerton 20 stands as a unique piece of theatre history, illustrating the industry’s transition during the late-1990’s megaplex boom.

Contributed by ecorche

Recent comments (view all 13 comments)

moviebuff82
moviebuff82 on February 26, 2008 at 10:20 pm

this was the site of a stabbing that occured during a showing of a horror movie on the same night as the oscars.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 28, 2008 at 12:41 am

Here is the story from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/yssyjq

tcjarvik
tcjarvik on May 15, 2008 at 5:55 am

The suspect in the stabbing has been caught in Las Vegas. Police believe he may have been under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms during the stabbing.

View link

CTCrouch
CTCrouch on January 26, 2014 at 6:29 am

Looks like Fullerton is about to enter it’s fourth incarnation, as the theatre will be undergoing a conversion to AMC’s “dine-in” concept this year. I’m unsure if the plan is for both sides or only the “classic” side, but they’ve posted the application for liquor license notice on both structures. I would assume the long vacant restaurant space, attached to the “classic” side, will be converted in to a kitchen. There is also a vacant coffee shop (prior to that an arcade) attached to the “classic” side; perhaps, they’ll convert that to a lounge or bar. Both the restaurant and coffee shop units are part of AMC’s lease.

Logan5
Logan5 on October 17, 2014 at 9:43 pm

“The Rocketeer” was presented at the AMC Fullerton 8 in 35mm Dolby Stereo beginning on Friday June 21, 1991.

rivest266
rivest266 on August 12, 2016 at 2:47 pm

May 16th, 1997 grand opening ad in photo section.

moviebuff82
moviebuff82 on May 2, 2019 at 1:23 am

The first case of measles in this area came from someone who went to see avengers endgame opening weekend. Since then it has been checked every day.

rivest266
rivest266 on December 2, 2019 at 12:29 am

1987 grand opening ads posted.

davidpond
davidpond on October 15, 2022 at 4:12 am

Dec 1987 movie schedule, I was working as a Usher haha https://photos.app.goo.gl/VieonU8kBmzHRF96A

CTCrouch
CTCrouch on October 15, 2022 at 7:29 am

I was a manager at Fullerton in the 90’s. By then, they had “upgraded” that schedule from manually typed form to a dot matrix printed, Lotus spreadsheet (same basic layout and look though). The layout/look didn’t really change until the 97' expansion, courtesy of another “upgrade” to a laser printer and excel spreadsheet.

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