Hollywood has waited years to see the lights return to the Cinerama Dome. Now the people preparing its comeback have offered a clearer look at what that return could feel like, right down to the carpeting.

In an October 13 design preview, Alamo Drafthouse shared plans for restoring the famous Sunset Boulevard movie theater and converting the neighboring former ArcLight complex into Alamo Drafthouse Hollywood. The preview follows Sony Pictures Entertainment's July announcement that both venues are expected to reopen in 2028. These are plans, not an announcement that tickets are on sale or the theater is operating.

What Are the Latest Cinerama Dome Restoration Plans?

The announced plans call for preserving the Dome’s recognizable exterior, Cinerama identity and curved-screen moviegoing experience while refreshing interior details inspired by its midcentury design. The neighboring former ArcLight theaters are planned to reopen as Alamo Drafthouse Hollywood. These are proposed designs, not completed renovations, and details may change.

A Restoration With Hollywood Character

The Dome's unmistakable concrete exterior and its original Cinerama identity are central to the project. Alamo's design preview highlights a visual approach inspired by the theater's midcentury geometry, including a carpet pattern that echoes the shape of the Dome itself. The idea is not to disguise the building as something brand-new, but to make its distinctive design feel alive again.

That matters in a neighborhood where historic movie houses often have to compete with newer forms of entertainment. The Dome was built in 1963 for an immersive, large-screen experience; its approximately 86-foot-wide curved screen is one of the reasons generations of film lovers remember it.

The latest images released by Alamo are design renderings, not photographs of completed renovations. The company explicitly says those designs may change. Readers should treat them as a preview of the direction, rather than a final inventory of what will be installed.

What Will Stay the Same at the Cinerama Dome?

Sony says the historic Cinerama name and exterior branding will remain. The restoration is intended to protect the building's architectural character and curved-screen presentation. Unlike a typical Alamo Drafthouse auditorium, the Dome itself is not planned as a dine-in theater; it will retain a traditional concession experience.

The Neighboring ArcLight Complex Gets a Different Future

Next door, the former 14-screen ArcLight Hollywood complex is slated to reopen under the Alamo Drafthouse Hollywood name. The official reopening announcement describes dine-in movie service, premium projection options, repertory programming, filmmaker events and special screenings. That makes the project two related experiences: the landmark Dome with its distinctive presentation, and a modern multi-screen theater complex beside it.

For longtime Hollywood moviegoers, that distinction is important. A night at the Dome will not simply become a standard dinner-and-a-movie visit under a new brand. The restoration plan aims to keep the Dome recognizable while giving the adjoining theaters a new operator and identity.

When Will the Cinerama Dome Reopen?

Sony and Alamo are targeting early 2028 for the Dome's return, with the neighboring theater complex also expected to open in 2028. No specific public opening day, ticket-sales date or first-film lineup has been confirmed in the announcements reviewed for this article. The schedule remains a target and could change as restoration proceeds.

Why the Dome's Preservation History Matters

The Cinerama Dome's comeback carries more weight than a routine renovation. In 1998, preservation advocates including the Los Angeles Conservancy, Hollywood Heritage and Friends of Cinerama helped secure protections for the building's historic features. The theater later became the centerpiece of the ArcLight Hollywood complex, which closed during the pandemic.

The new design preview acknowledges that history. Its focus on recognizable patterns and preserved features suggests the restoration team understands something Hollywood residents have said for years: this theater is not interchangeable with any other auditorium.

Will the Cinerama Dome Have Dine-In Seating?

No. Under Sony's announced plan, the Dome will keep a traditional concession setup rather than Alamo's usual in-seat dining service. Dine-in offerings are planned for the adjacent 14-screen Alamo Drafthouse Hollywood complex.

What Happens Next?

The next milestones to watch are visible renovation progress, a confirmed opening date, and the first programming announcement. Until then, the latest renderings offer something Hollywood has been missing: a concrete vision for the return of a theater whose concrete shell never stopped being part of the neighborhood.

Our separate Hollywood Local Pulse history feature explores how the Dome was built and why its preservation mattered long before this reopening plan.