Alamo Drafthouse is revitalizing a historic theater. Not everyone is happy.

Alamo Drafthouse is opening another theater. But it's not a freshly built location-it's a historic movie theater that's been closed for years. Not everyone is thrilled, however. 

Alamo Drafthouse and Sony Pictures Entertainment are restoring and reopening the Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles, a historic theater that opened in 1963 with a specially curved screen. The Cinerama Dome opened with the world premiere of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad World and closed in 2020. It will reopen in 2028.

The Drafthouse, which was founded in Texas before being acquired by Sony in 2024, says it will not rebrand or otherwise massively change the Cinerama Dome. Instead, the company will preserve the Dome's curved screen that supports 70 mm projection and mid-century modern details, and serve traditional refreshments (read: popcorn).

"Its historic legacy and singular moviegoing experience will be honored and carefully preserved, with the iconic 'Cinerama' name and exterior branding left intact," Sony said in its news release.

However, Alamo Drafthouse will take over the 14-screen ArcLight Hollywood theater, which was built around the Dome in 2001. The multiplex will be revitalized and reopened as Alamo Drafthouse Hollywood, serving as the company's West Coast flagship location.

"The Cinerama Dome will remain a carefully preserved historic monument," Alamo Drafthouse said in its announcement. "Alamo Drafthouse Hollywood will be a state-of-the-art dine-in theater. Together, they will return one of the country's greatest moviegoing destinations to the heart of Hollywood."

Some are skeptical about Alamo Drafthouse's handling of the Cinerama Dome

Alamo Drafthouse has been under fire from moviegoers lately. In January, the chain announced it would move away from its traditional pen-and-paper ordering system and instead implement mobile ordering using QR codes.

The backlash was swift. Multiple film critics have spoken harshly about the change, including IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich, who wrote a scathing review of the new-look Alamo Drafthouse titled "The Absolute Hell of Watching a Movie at the Alamo Drafthouse in 2026." Actor Elijah Wood called it a "profound and upsetting mistake." 

The company has also been accused of union busting, and employees have gone on strike several times over the years.

On X, replies to the announcement show some film buffs' nervousness at the company taking over the historic theater. Many asked that the Drafthouse's dine-in services remain out of the Dome.

"Keep the food in the restaurant downstairs, please," the account for the Men on Film podcast wrote. "Please. Seriously, please."

Others were more direct in their warnings.

"If you f--k up the Cinerama Dome and the old Arclight you will dishonor your family's name for generations," one commenter wrote. "You are treading on sacred ground."

However, director Edgar Wright said he's hopeful about the revitalization of the Hollywood landmark. He noted in a lengthy post on X that many of his films, including Baby Driver and Shaun of the Dead, had wildly successful screenings at the Cinerama Dome.

"I am very heartened by the news that Hollywood's Cinerama Dome and the former ArcLight multiplex are set to reopen, like a phoenix from the ashes," Wright wrote. "Driving past the site over the last few years has been really sad. It felt like an open wound for the moviegoing community, so I'm thrilled that it will return and join the newly thriving theatrical scene in Los Angeles."

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