Megaplex Theatres
Company typePrivate
IndustryEntertainment
Founded1999
FoundersLarry H. Miller
Headquarters
Sandy, Utah
,
U.S.
Number of locations
15
Key people
Blake Andersen (President)
OwnerLarry H. Miller Company

Megaplex Theatres is a cinema chain based in Sandy, Utah. It was founded in 1999 by the late Larry H. Miller, who was then the owner of the Utah Jazz; currently it is owned by the Larry H. Miller Company. As of 2023, Megaplex Theatres operates 15 locations in Utah and Nevada, and it has plans to expand into Idaho.

History

The first Megaplex Theatres location anchored the newly built Jordan Commons restaurant and entertainment complex in Sandy. It opened on November 1, 1999 with 20 screens. The theater was built on the former site of Jordan High School. Since it opened the Sandy location has grown to become one of the highest-grossing theaters locally while ranking among the top theaters nationwide with some films it exhibits.[1] For over 100 years Jordan High School was on the site however it fell into disrepair and the local school district was unable to bring it up to code. Larry H. Miller developed the site at the request of the city's mayor.[2]

Megaplex at Jordan Commons

In September 2005, the location in Sandy opened the second IMAX screen in Utah.[3] Megaplex has added IMAX screens since then at locations in South Jordan, West Valley City, Centerville, and Vineyard, Utah.[4][5] In April 2012, the chain announced its expansion beyond the Wasatch Front with the purchase of 11 theaters from Westates Theatres. The sale included four theaters in St. George, three in Logan, two in Cedar City, and one in Mesquite, Nevada.The expansion added 71 screens and 11,968 seats to Megaplex Theatres' capacity. It had previously been operating 84 screens at six locations. Financial terms were not disclosed.[6]

In September 2013, the chain announced plans to build a new location in Vineyard as part of a development on the former site of Geneva Steel. The theater has 13 screens including the chain's fifth IMAX auditorium which opened on March 13, 2015.[7][8] In 2019, Megaplex started offering a subscription service, MegaPass.[9]

During the COVID pandemic Megaplex temporarily closed and started limited screenings with social distancing. It also sold popcorn to go from the curb.[10] In 2020, Megaplex announced plans for construction of a theater in Idaho Falls, Idaho.[11] In 2021, Megaplex launched "Megaplex Luxury Theatres." Megaplex Luxury Theatres have heated luxury seats, in-seat dining, and private meeting space.[12] It was partially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13]

Due to the large Mormon population in Utah, Megaplex Theatres often shows religious films including T.C. Christensen's The Fighting Preacher.[2] The Larry H. Miller Company acquired Swig, a soft drink shop on November 22, 2022. Swig began sales at Megaplex Theatres in 2023.[14] The Megaplex Theatres at The Gateway was a venue for the Sundance Film Festival in 2023.[15]

In 2023, Megaplex Theatres expanded its Kids Summer Movies program by giving free admission to children from families which receive public food benefits. The program covers one adult per family. The regular Megaplex Kids Summer Movies pass is unaffected. As of 2023, a $10 pass entitles one guest to attend as many as ten family-friendly movies over the summer. The program includes "sensory friendly" showings designed for autistic children and others with sensory sensitivity. The showings allow guests to stand, move, and make noise as they feel they need making themselves comfortable.[16]

References

  1. ^ "One-day sales put Utah Megaplex and 'Sith' in a galaxy of their own". Deseret News. 2005-05-21. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  2. ^ a b Pahle, Rebecca (4 December 2019). "A Mega Anniversary: 20 Years Later, Megaplex Theatres Still Gives Back". Box Office Pro. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  3. ^ "New IMAX theater plans Hollywood feature films". The Salt Lake Tribune. 2005-08-12. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  4. ^ "IMAX Theatres Information". Megaplex Theatres. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  5. ^ "No timeline announced yet for Cottonwood Mall project". Deseret News. 31 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Utah's Megaplex acquires 11 Westates theaters | The Salt Lake Tribune". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2013-11-05.
  7. ^ "Geneva Steel site transformation underway with variety of projects". Deseret News. 2014-05-28. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  8. ^ "Larry H. Miller Megaplex opens this week in Vineyard". Herald Extra. 2015-03-07. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  9. ^ Means, Sean P. (7 May 2019). "Utah's Megaplex Theatres will offer a subscription service, with two tickets a month for $14.95". The Salt Lake Tribune.
  10. ^ Means, Sean P. (17 June 2021). "Utah movie theaters make plans for a 'bounce back' summer". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  11. ^ Eaton, Nate. "Megaplex Theatre location announced and each cinema will feature quiet rooms for parents". East Idaho News. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  12. ^ McKenzie, Stauffer (2 March 2021). "PHOTOS: Megaplex Theatres at The Gateway gets major luxury renovation". KUTV. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  13. ^ Scribner, Herb (17 March 2023). "Theaters offer luxury, unique experiences to draw back moviegoers". Axios. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  14. ^ Williams, Carter (22 November 2022). "Larry H. Miller Company acquires majority stake of Utah 'dirty soda' chain". KSL.COM. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  15. ^ Roka, Les (18 January 2023). "Sundance 2023: Making the Utah production stage ready for film: State's cinematic industry made big strides in 2022". The Utah Review. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  16. ^ Staff (20 April 2023). "Megaplex Theatres Offers Complimentary Kids Summer Program Admission for Families Receiving SNAP/WIC Benefits". Box Office Pro. Retrieved 5 February 2024.

External links

Major cinema chains in the United States
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