ArcLight Beach Cities
831 S. Nash Street,
El Segundo,
CA
90245
831 S. Nash Street,
El Segundo,
CA
90245
4 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Cinema West (Official)
Additional Info
Operated by: Cinema West
Previously operated by: ArcLight Cinemas, Pacific Theatres
Previous Names: Beach Cities Cinema
Nearby Theaters
Opened November 15, 1996, this theater is less than a mile away from the Pacific Manhattan Village Mall six-plex, which gave the Pacific Theatres circuit 22 screens within a short radius.
It was taken over by ArcLight Cinemas in September 2010 and was refurbished, reopening on November 5, 2010. It was closed on March 17, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. On April 13, 2021 it was announced that the closure would be permanent in all ArcLight/Pacific theatres. On November 17, 2023 it was announced that the cinema would be taken over by Cinema West with a planned reopening in Summer 2024.
Contributed by
Ross Melnick
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Recent comments (view all 21 comments)
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING transformation from Pacific to ArcLight. Auditorium layout completely changed from downward sloping stadium seating to upward sloping stadium seating. Screens are bigger. Sound is upgraded. Projection is DP…but they do have film projectors on hand.
This theatre is going to be the toast of the South Bay!
P.S. Pacific & ArcLight are the same company. Their parent company (Decurion Corporation) simply converted it from Pacific to ArcLight, so the line about ArcLight “taking it over” is not quite accurate.
I was there a couple of days ago. Nice remodel.
Street View needs to be upgraded – the shot is from it’s days as a Pacific.
Chris — what do you mean by down vs. up sloping?
Is down where you enter at the top of the stadium and step down? And up where you enter at the bottom and walk up?
Precisely, Scott!
November 15th, 1996 grand opening ad as Beach Cities Cinema in the photo section.
The two brands operated more than 300 screens in California, including the coveted Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. In a blow for California moviegoers — and those in Los Angeles in particular — the ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theatres are closing all of their locations for good after seeing their business decimated by the pandemic.
ArcLight’s stable includes the prized Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. The Dome, built in 1963, is the crown jewel of the small theater complex constructed in more recent years.
ArcLight Hollywood is a bastion for both first-run movies and independent titles and, at one time, was one of the first L.A. cinemas to offer high-end food. It has also been a favorite site place to stage premieres of indie titles, and is beloved by many cinephiles.
ArcLight’s locations in Hollywood and elsewhere, including Sherman Oaks, are operated by Pacific Theatres. The Pacific side of the aisle includes such popular locations as the Grove in West Hollywood.
“This was not the outcome anyone wanted, but despite a huge effort that exhausted all potential options, the company does not have a viable way forward,” said a statement issued by Pacific Theatres, which is owned by the Decurion Corporation.
No ArcLight or Pacific location has reopened since the pandemic began. On Monday afternoon, word quickly spread across Hollywood that they will remain dark for good.
It wasn’t immediately clear who the pool of potential buyers might include for the more high-profile locations, should they be up for sale, such as the ArcLight Hollywood complex.
Last year, Netflix closed a deal to operate the Egyptian, another landmark Hollywood theater that’s not far from the Cinerama Dome. Among the mega chains, Cinemark only has two L.A. locations (one in Baldwin Hills and the other in Playa Vista).
“To all the Pacific and ArcLight employees who have devoted their professional lives to making our theaters the very best places in the world to see movies: we are grateful for your service and your dedication to our customers,” the statement continued. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve you.”
The National Association of Theatre Owners has warned all along that smaller and regional independent chains, such as Pacific and ArcLight, might never recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
“To our guests and members of the film industry who have made going to the movies such a magical experience over the years: our deepest thanks,” read the statement issued by Pacific Theaters. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve you.”
The toast of the South Bay? Cinepolis Inglewood has other plans! 🤭🤭
Daily Breeze article includes a rendering of what the finished complex will look like
https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/11/13/cinemawest-beach-cities-to-replace-shuttered-arclight-theater-in-el-segundo/