| Megaplex Theatres | |
| Type: | Private |
| Founders: | Larry H. Miller |
| Foundation: | 1999 |
| Key People: | Blake Andersen (President) |
| Location City: | Sandy, Utah |
| Location Country: | U.S. |
| Num Locations: | 15 |
| Owner: | Larry H. Miller Company |
| Industry: | Entertainment |
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.
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 and was built on the former site of Jordan High School. Since its opening, the Sandy location has become one of the highest-grossing theaters locally and ranks among the top theaters nationwide for some films. Jordan High School had been on the site for over 100 years but 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.[1]
In September 2005, the location in Sandy opened the second IMAX screen in Utah.[2] Megaplex has added IMAX screens since then at locations in South Jordan, West Valley City, Centerville, and Vineyard, Utah.[3] [4] 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.[5]
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.[6] [7] In 2019, Megaplex started offering a subscription service, MegaPass.[8]
During the COVID pandemic Megaplex temporarily closed and started limited screenings with social distancing. It also sold popcorn to go from the curb.[9] In 2020, Megaplex announced plans for construction of a theater in Idaho Falls, Idaho.[10] In 2021, Megaplex launched "Megaplex Luxury Theatres." Megaplex Luxury Theatres have heated luxury seats, in-seat dining, and private meeting space.[11] It was partially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12]
Due to the large Mormon population in Utah, Megaplex Theatres often shows religious films including T.C. Christensen's The Fighting Preacher.[13] 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]
Megaplex Theatres was ranked the 25th largest cinema chain in North America according to Boxoffice PRO's giants of Giants of Exhibition 2023 with 15 locations and 173 screens.[17]
As of 2024, the Larry H. Miller Company was carrying out a program to renovate several Megaplex Theatres locations in Utah. Improvements include luxury reclining seats, "quiet rooms," new projectors, and improved sound systems. As of March 2024, renovations were complete at the Ogden Megaplex with work underway in St. George, Vineyard, and Centerville.[18]
In April of 2024, Megaplex Theatres announced that it had acquired the site of Redstone Cinema 8 at Kimball Junction in Park City, Utah. Megaplex plans to renovate the site with an eye towards luxury. The acquisition occurred after Redstone filed for bankruptcy.[19]
Megaplex Theatres acquired the Water Gardens Theatres in Pleasant Grove, Utah. This location was built in 1997. The theaters are being rebranded and renovated with a scheduled opening date of late 2024. This acquisition will bring Megaplex's offerings to 187 screens at 17 locations.[20]
Megaplex Entertainment centers are a planned expansion of the Megaplex brand. These centers will include movie theaters but will also have other amenities such as bowling alleys, video arcades, restaurants, and spaces for private events. The first Megaplex Entertainment location will open in the Daybreak-area of South Jordan, Utah in 2025. This location will be near the new stadium for the Salt Lake Bees baseball team.