Star Theatres
Star Theatres was a Michigan-based American multiplex cinema chain known for high-service operations, distinctive interiors, and large megaplex locations.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Star Theatres was an American movie-theater chain that operated exclusively in Michigan. The business emerged from a partnership involving Jim Loeks and Barrie Loeks, sons of theater operator Jack Loeks, and Columbia Pictures Entertainment, whose corporate holdings included Loews Theatres during the 1980s. The Loeks family developed and operated the chain while Columbia’s theater interests provided a corporate partnership framework. Star expanded during the period when American moviegoing was shifting toward multiplexes and, increasingly, megaplexes with many screens, larger auditoriums, improved concessions, and more elaborate customer amenities. Its growth was concentrated in Michigan rather than through a national rollout. The brand became associated with unusually attentive service, energetic interior design, prominent exterior architecture, high screen counts, and, at selected properties, stadium-style seating. Its marketing language included the slogans “Love*Laugh*Live” and “Larger than Life.” The chain received favorable attention in the early 1990s. A 1990 Entertainment Weekly theater honor-roll feature highlighted Star’s appeal, while Detroit Free Press critic Kathy Huffhines characterized the experience as friendly and visually playful. Star’s most prominent properties included theaters in Southfield and Auburn Hills, both of which became important local destinations. Other notable sites opened in communities including Holland, Grand Rapids, Madison Heights, Clinton Township, Rochester Hills, Lincoln Park, Taylor, and Dearborn. The ownership structure changed in 2002, when the Loeks family sold its 50 percent interest to Loews Cineplex Theatres. Star therefore became more directly integrated into the Loews theater portfolio. In 2006, AMC Theatres acquired Loews Cineplex, bringing the Star locations into AMC’s operating network. Although individual properties continued to use Star names for a period, the Star identity was ultimately retired in favor of AMC branding. The remaining Star-branded locations were rebranded as AMC theaters in 2018. The former chain’s estate subsequently experienced mixed outcomes. Some theaters continued operating under AMC or were transferred, remodeled, or sold to other operators. The Southfield location closed permanently in 2020, and the Fairlane Town Center location in Dearborn closed in 2022. A Rochester Hills property that had operated as Star Winchester was rebuilt as a commercial strip development, while the former Rochester Hills location associated with Star was later remodeled and operated by Emagine. Star Theatres is therefore best understood as a defunct regional cinema brand whose legacy survives through successor theater sites and AMC’s continuing operation of several former Star properties.
History
Star Theatres developed as a Michigan-only theater chain during the expansion of the American multiplex business in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Its origins lay in a partnership between Jim and Barrie Loeks, members of the Michigan-based Loeks theater family, and Columbia Pictures Entertainment. Columbia owned Loews Theatres during the period in which the partnership was formed. The Loeks brothers were responsible for designing and operating the Star chain, building on their family’s experience in theater exhibition. The brand’s initial growth reflected changing consumer expectations in the movie business. Rather than relying on small neighborhood cinemas, Star emphasized larger complexes with numerous screens and, at selected locations, stadium-style seating. The chain also differentiated its venues through service and design. Its theaters were known for substantial interior decoration, colorful presentation, prominent exteriors, and a generally lively atmosphere. The brand’s slogans, including “Love*Laugh*Live” and “Larger than Life,” expressed an ambition to make the cinema visit an event rather than merely a transaction. Star’s footprint remained centered in Michigan. Properties opened in or around Detroit and other Michigan communities, including Lincoln Park, Rochester Hills, Taylor, Madison Heights, Clinton Township, Holland, Grand Rapids, Auburn Hills, Southfield, and Dearborn. The Southfield and Auburn Hills sites were especially prominent and were regarded as flagship destinations. The chain received national trade and popular attention in the early 1990s; a 1990 Entertainment Weekly feature placed it among notable movie theaters, while local criticism emphasized its friendly service and playful visual identity. The ownership model changed materially in 2002. The Loeks family sold its half-interest to Loews Cineplex Theatres, making Loews the controlling owner of the chain. Four years later, AMC Theatres purchased Loews Cineplex. The transaction placed Star’s properties within AMC’s larger national theater network and reduced the importance of Star as an independent operating identity. For a period after the AMC acquisition, some properties continued to carry Star names, often in formats such as AMC Star Gratiot or AMC Star Southfield. AMC eventually standardized the portfolio under its own brand. The Star name was retired from the remaining locations in 2018, completing the brand’s transition from a regional chain to a historical predecessor within AMC’s Michigan estate. The individual properties followed different paths after the brand transition. The former Star Southfield location closed in 2020, and the former Star Fairlane 21 location at Fairlane Town Center closed in 2022. Some other sites continued under AMC, while the former Rochester Hills property associated with Star was sold, remodeled, and operated as an Emagine theater. The Star Winchester site in Rochester Hills ceased to operate as a cinema and was rebuilt into a strip mall. Other former locations, including Star Lincoln Park and Star Taylor, also closed or changed operators. The brand is now defunct, but several surviving venues retain a connection to Star’s history through their buildings, successor operators, or continued use as movie theaters.
- 2022
Fairlane theater closes
[1]The former AMC Fairlane 21 location closes.
- 2020
Southfield theater closes
[1]The former AMC Star Southfield 20 closes permanently.
- 2018
Star identity is retired
[1]Remaining Star-branded theaters are rebranded as AMC locations; the Gratiot property is reduced from 21 screens to 15.
- 2006
AMC acquires Loews Cineplex
[1]AMC’s acquisition of Loews Cineplex places the Star properties under AMC ownership.
- 2002
Loeks family exits the partnership
[1]The Loeks family sells its 50 percent interest in Star to Loews Cineplex Theatres.
- 2000
Star Fairlane opens
[1]Star opens the 21-screen Fairlane theater at Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn.
- 1999
Star Great Lakes opens
[1]Star opens the 25-screen Great Lakes location at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills.
- 1997
Star Southfield opens
[1]Star opens the 20-screen Southfield location, which becomes one of the chain’s flagship properties.
- 1992
Star Grand Rapids opens
[1]Star opens the Grand Rapids 18-screen theater.
- 1990
Star Gratiot opens
[1]The Clinton Township location opens with 15 screens and later expands to 21 screens.
Products and positioning
A locally concentrated, high-service Michigan cinema chain positioned around large multiplexes, distinctive architecture, lively interiors, many screens, and an enhanced moviegoing experience.
Cinema exhibition
Star multiplex theaters
Star’s core offering was the operation of multi-screen movie theaters in Michigan. The venues presented first-run feature films and were designed around the growing megaplex model, with larger sites offering substantially more screens than traditional neighborhood cinemas. The chain combined broad film choice with food and beverage concessions, branded customer service, and theatrical environments intended to make the venue itself part of the entertainment experience.
Large-format cinema
Star megaplex locations
The chain’s larger properties, including sites in Auburn Hills, Southfield, Dearborn, and Clinton Township, represented Star’s most visible format. These locations used high screen counts, elaborate interior design, and in some cases stadium-style seating to compete for regional moviegoing audiences. The largest sites served as destination theaters and helped define Star’s reputation during the 1990s multiplex expansion.
Marketing campaigns
- Love*Laugh*Live
Michigan, United States
Star used the “Love*Laugh*Live” slogan to frame cinema as a social and emotional experience, complementing its emphasis on service, visual design, and a lively theater environment.
Outcome. The slogan became one of the chain’s principal brand identifiers during its regional expansion.
- Larger than Life
Michigan, United States
“Larger than Life” communicated Star’s focus on large multiplexes, numerous screens, enhanced facilities, and an outsized entertainment presentation.
Outcome. The positioning supported Star’s differentiation from smaller conventional cinemas during the megaplex era.
Brand decisions
2018
AMC standardizes former Star locations under its own brandStrategyBackground
Following AMC’s acquisition of Loews Cineplex, some properties continued to use Star names alongside the AMC identity.
Action taken
AMC rebranded the remaining Star-branded theaters as AMC theaters.
Aftermath
Star ceased to function as an active consumer-facing cinema brand, although several former locations continued operating under AMC or successor operators.
2006
AMC acquires Loews CineplexM&ABackground
Star Theatres was part of the Loews Cineplex portfolio after the Loeks family’s exit.
Action taken
AMC Theatres acquired Loews Cineplex Entertainment, including its Star-associated Michigan locations.
Aftermath
The properties became part of AMC’s national theater network and were eventually rebranded.
2002
Loeks family sells its Star interestM&ABackground
Star had been developed and operated through a partnership involving the Loeks family and Columbia Pictures Entertainment.
Action taken
The Loeks family sold its 50 percent interest in the chain to Loews Cineplex Theatres.
Aftermath
Loews became the direct owner of the former family-operated chain, which was later acquired by AMC.
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