Laguna Hills Mall Cinemas
24155 Laguna Hills Mall,
Laguna Hills,
CA
92653
24155 Laguna Hills Mall,
Laguna Hills,
CA
92653
3 people
favorited this theater
Showing 15 comments
I’ve seen some semi recent plans that list “cinema”, but as a generic “Retail/Restaurant/Health Club/Cinema” map legend color key; which seems to suggest more of a possible use than concrete plan. Considering the delays, setbacks, and current state of the theatre industry, I wouldn’t be surprised if ICON dropped out of the project (it’s certainly been over a year since they were mentioned as being attached).
Anyone have a source on the supposed ICON theater? The current redevelopment plans (May 2024) don’t specify a theater, just general entertainment references in a build-out plan that might not be done completely for over a decade. I assume that may have been part of the now cancelled “5 Lagunas” plan.
The theatre should be classified as demolished. Aside from a couple of out buildings, the entire mall property was razed (including the theatre). The ICON theatre will be a new build, located within a completely new development.
The Laguna Hills Mall Cinemas opened 40 years ago today (Dec. 16, 1983). Opening day films included “Uncommon Valor,” “The Man Who Loved Women” & a double bill of Disney’s “The Rescuers” & “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.”
John Hughes' beloved 1987 holiday classic “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” opened at the Laguna Hills Mall Cinema 35 years ago this week (November 25, 1987).
Starring Steve Martin and John Candy, the film opened at number three (behind “Three Men and a Baby”) on over 1,100 screens and remained in the top ten through early January of ‘88, grossing just shy of $50 million in North America and finishing the year as the 21st highest-grossing film of 1987.
I saw it here opening night on Thanksgiving Eve as a teenager and have made it a holiday tradition at my house for over 20 years.
jwmovies:
I agree this is great news…and noticed the last time I was in that area that there was finally some activity on that construction site…but I have to disagree about the Aliso Viejo Town Center. That’s always been a great theater and it’s not that far from Laguna Hills. I would agree, though, that this theater could take business from the Regal Foothill Ranch, since that has always been an underperforming theater. The Spectrum is the Spectrum. Not sure anyone’s going to make a dent in their business.
GREAT NEWS!
ShowPlace ICON at Oakbrook 14 will open sometime in 2023! Laguna Hills and Lake Forest/El Toro desperately needs this! No more Aliso Viejo Town Center or Foothill Ranch or Irvine Spectrum. 😇😇😇😍😍😁
Caught “The War of the Roses” starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner & Danny DeVito on cable this past weekend & was reminded I originally saw it at the Laguna Hills Mall Cinemas back in December 1989.
Actually recall seeing a few Michael Douglas films here in the ‘80s: “Jewel of the Nile,” “Fatal Attraction” & “Black Rain.”
Grand opening ad posted.
Just received a message on Facebook that the Laguna Hills Mall Cinema will close on Friday, May 27. It’s because the mall is FINALLY going to be renovated…with plans to add a new 14-screen theater run by Icon Cinemas. So it appears Thursday, May 26, is the last day of the Laguna Hills Mall Cinema. If you want to go there one last time, make plans now!
Actually caught “Gone Girl” here a couple of weeks back, my first visit in over 20 years. Still a very nice theater with plenty of leg room. I visited on a Thursday and the matinee ticket was only $4. The cashier said “it’s a special price today.” Works for me.
I live very close to this theater, but the mall where it’s located is in big trouble. There are lots of vacancies, most notable the entire upstairs food court. Everything is closed (including the Walden Books) and you can’t even use the escalators to get up there anymore. I even heard the Disney Store there closed recently. If that type of store closes, you know things are bad.
This theater recently installed Digital 3D equipment and raised its discount price to $7 for movies before 6 PM. I go here once in a while, but it’s not my favorite theater. We’ll see how much longer it and the mall can hold on.
Make that a Walden Books, not Crown. My bad.
This wasn’t a bad little theater in its day. As we frequented the mall most Saturdays, it was rather convenient to start or end our excursion with a movie. I remember seeing Back to the Future, The Untouchables, Planes, Trains and Automobiles(the night before Thanksgiving) and The Fisher King there. I also remember it as the first place I saw the teaser poster for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. May of ‘84 couldn’t come fast enough. There was also a great little Crown Books a few stores up and it always featured novelizations front and center of whatever films were currently showing at the theater.
Opened on 12/16/83 Initially operated jointly by SocCal Cinemas and Edwards; Edwards later took over full operation. The theatre is currently operated by the Parth Theatre Group.