Regency Village Theatre
A historic Spanish Revival and Art Deco movie theater in Westwood Village, Los Angeles, known for Hollywood premieres and advanced presentation formats.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Regency Village Theatre is the current operating identity of the historic Fox Westwood Village Theater, a landmark cinema in Westwood Village, Los Angeles, across from the Fox Bruin Theater and near the University of California, Los Angeles. The theater was designed by architect Percy Parke Lewis in a Spanish Mission style and constructed in 1930 as part of Fox West Coast Theatres' large-scale cinema-building program. It opened to the public on August 14, 1931, within the Mediterranean-style Westwood Village development planned by Harold and Edwin Janss of the Janss Investment Company. The building is distinguished by a 170-foot white Spanish Revival/Moderne tower at the intersection of Broxton and Weyburn Avenues. Its exterior combines a blue-and-white Art Deco Fox sign, carved winged lions, Churrigueresque stucco ornament, and griffins positioned on the corners of the cinema building. The illuminated tower has long served as one of Westwood Village's most recognizable architectural features. The auditorium historically seated approximately 1,400 people, with capacity reaching about 1,535 after a 1951 renovation. The venue underwent several significant changes during the twentieth century. Backstage areas were enclosed in the 1940s. A Skouras-era remodel in 1951 added decorative plasterwork, upgraded exits, new carpeting, lobby improvements, and California Gold Rush-themed artwork. In the late 1970s, the theater received 70mm projection equipment and a larger screen. It was remodeled again around 1998–1999. The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission designated the building a Historic Cultural Monument in 1988. Ownership and operation changed over time. National General Theatres, the successor to Fox Theatres-West Coast, sold the theater to Mann Theatres in 1973. After Mann Theatres ceased operations in 2010, Regency Theatres became the operator, and the venue subsequently became commonly associated with the Regency Village name. Regency added Dolby Atmos sound in 2014 for the release of Transcendence. In 2019, the theater became the first venue identified as a THX Ultimate Cinema theater. The theater has been an important location for Hollywood premieres, reportedly hosting approximately two dozen premieres in a typical year during its active operation. Its premiere history includes films such as A Star Is Born, Batman, JFK, Independence Day, The Matrix, The Fast and the Furious, Shrek, Spider-Man, The Lego Movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Bullet Train, as well as the Harry Potter series. This role has connected the venue to the commercial film industry as well as to Los Angeles architectural preservation. In February 2024, an investor group led by filmmaker Jason Reitman agreed to acquire the theater. The group included more than two dozen filmmakers and a collective described as the Village Directors Circle, with participants including Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, J. J. Abrams, Chris Columbus, and Judd Apatow. The proposed revival concept included a restaurant, bar, gallery, and displays of film props, costumes, and personal collections, including Columbus's 16mm print collection. The theater closed on July 25, 2024, after its lease expired. Reference material states that a $25 million revival was planned, with a projected reopening in 2027 and programming by American Cinematheque. The current operating and ownership status should therefore be verified as the project develops.
History
The Fox Westwood Village Theater was built in 1930 and opened on August 14, 1931, as part of Fox West Coast Theatres' expansion of purpose-built cinemas. It was designed by Percy Parke Lewis in a Spanish Mission style suited to Westwood Village, a Mediterranean-themed development adjoining UCLA and planned by Harold and Edwin Janss of the Janss Investment Company. The theater's location opposite the Fox Bruin Theater made the district an important cinema destination in Los Angeles. The building's most prominent feature is its approximately 170-foot tower, which combines Spanish Revival and Moderne influences with Art Deco signage. A blue-and-white Fox sign crowns the tower, while carved winged lions, ornamental stucco, griffins, and illuminated architectural surfaces reinforce its theatrical identity. The auditorium originally accommodated roughly 1,400 patrons. During the 1940s, backstage areas were enclosed, changing some of the building's original functional arrangements. A major Skouras-era renovation took place in 1951. It introduced decorative gold plaster swirls beside the stage, improved exit facilities, replaced carpeting, and upgraded the lobby with California Gold Rush-themed artwork. The work also increased capacity to approximately 1,535 seats. In the late 1970s, the theater was equipped with 70mm projection technology and a larger screen, reflecting the period's emphasis on enhanced large-format presentation. The theater changed hands in 1973, when National General Theatres, formerly Fox Theatres-West Coast, sold it to Mann Theatres. It received another remodeling around 1998–1999. In 1988, the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission designated the building a Historic Cultural Monument, recognizing its architectural and cultural importance. Mann Theatres ceased operating in 2010, after which Regency Theatres became the venue's operator. Under the Regency identity, the theater continued its role as a prominent premiere venue and invested in presentation technology. Dolby Atmos was installed in 2014 for Transcendence, and in 2019 the theater became the first location identified as a THX Ultimate Cinema theater. The venue became closely associated with Hollywood premiere culture. Its reported schedule included about 24 premieres per year, and its documented film events included premieres or debut screenings for major titles such as A Star Is Born, Batman, JFK, Independence Day, Mission: Impossible, The Matrix, Shrek, Spider-Man, The Lego Movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Bullet Train. The theater also hosted the Harry Potter films. In February 2024, a group led by filmmaker Jason Reitman agreed to acquire the property or theater operation. The proposed investor group included numerous filmmakers and members of the Village Directors Circle. Its plans called for a restaurant, bar, gallery, and displays of film-related collections, props, and wardrobe. The theater closed on July 25, 2024, when its lease expired. Reference material indicates a planned $25 million revival, a target reopening in 2027, and programming by American Cinematheque. Because the venue was closed and the future project remained planned rather than completed in the supplied material, its present operating status requires confirmation.
- 2024
Filmmaker-led revival proposal
[1]A group led by Jason Reitman agreed to acquire the theater and proposed a larger film and cultural venue.
- 2024
Closure after lease expiration
[1]The theater closed on July 25 after its lease expired.
- 2019
THX Ultimate Cinema designation
[1]The venue became the first theater identified as a THX Ultimate Cinema location.
- 2014
Dolby Atmos installation
[1]The theater introduced Dolby Atmos sound for Transcendence.
- 2010
Regency Theatres begins operation
[1]Regency Theatres became the operator after Mann Theatres went out of business.
- 1988
Historic Cultural Monument designation
[1]The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission designated the theater Historic Cultural Monument No. 362.
- 1973
Transfer to Mann Theatres
[1]National General Theatres sold the theater to Mann Theatres.
- 1951
Skouras-era remodel
[1]Renovations upgraded the stage area, exits, carpeting, and lobby, and increased seating capacity.
- 1931
Public opening
[1]The theater opened on August 14, 1931.
- 1930
Construction completed
[1]The theater was built in Westwood Village as part of Fox West Coast Theatres' cinema construction program.
Products and positioning
A landmark Los Angeles cinema positioned around Hollywood premieres, historic architecture, and premium theatrical presentation technology.
Cinema exhibition · 1931
Theatrical film screenings
The theater's core offering was public exhibition of feature films in a large historic auditorium. Its programming included mainstream theatrical releases and films selected for high-profile Los Angeles premieres.
Special events
Hollywood premiere events
The venue served as a recurring premiere site for studio and distributor releases. Its documented event history includes major franchise, animation, action, comedy, and drama titles, making premiere presentation a central part of its public identity.
Premium cinema technology · 2014
Dolby Atmos presentations
Dolby Atmos immersive sound was added in 2014 for Transcendence, giving the auditorium an object-based audio capability intended to improve premium film presentation.
Premium cinema technology · 2019
THX Ultimate Cinema presentations
In 2019 the theater became the first venue identified as a THX Ultimate Cinema theater, adding a premium certification and presentation identity to its historic cinema brand.
Brand decisions
2024
Proposed acquisition by filmmaker-led groupM&ABackground
The theater faced a future transition following the planned end of its lease and the need for a broader revival strategy.
Action taken
An investor group led by Jason Reitman agreed to buy the theater and proposed adding hospitality, gallery, and film-collection elements.
Aftermath
The theater closed on July 25, 2024, after the lease expired. A planned revival was described as targeting a 2027 reopening with American Cinematheque programming.
planned revival investment. $25 million (planned 2024 revival)
2019
Adoption of THX Ultimate Cinema identityOtherBackground
The theater continued to differentiate itself through premium technical presentation.
Action taken
It became the first theater identified as a THX Ultimate Cinema venue.
Aftermath
The designation reinforced the theater's premium-format positioning.
2014
Introduction of Dolby AtmosProduct launchBackground
The theater sought to strengthen its premium presentation capabilities while continuing to host major film events.
Action taken
Regency added Dolby Atmos sound for the presentation of Transcendence.
Aftermath
The venue became associated with immersive-audio presentation.
Sources2 sources
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