Megaplex Theatres

Megaplex Theatres is a chain of movie theaters headquartered in Sandy, Utah. Megaplex was founded in 1999 by Utah Jazz owner Larry H. Miller and is owned by the Larry H. Miller Company. Megaplex Theatres operates 15 locations in Utah and Nevada.

Megaplex Theatres
TypePrivate
IndustryEntertainment
Founded1999
FoundersLarry H. Miller
Headquarters
Sandy, Utah
,
United States
Number of locations
15
Key people
Blake Andersen (President)
OwnerLarry H. Miller Group

History

The first location anchored the newly built Jordan Commons restaurant and entertainment complex in Sandy, opening on November 1, 1999 with 20 screens. The theater was built on the former site of Jordan High School. Since its opening, the Sandy location has grown to be one of the highest-grossing theaters locally while also ranking among the top theaters nationwide with some films.[1] Jordan High School sat for over 100 years on this site 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 Sandy's mayor.[2]

Megaplex at Jordan Commons

In September 2005, the location in Sandy opened the second IMAX screen in Utah.[3] Since then, Megaplex has added IMAX screens at locations in South Jordan, West Valley City, Centerville, and Vineyard.[4][5]

In April 2012, the chain announced its expansion beyond the Wasatch Front with the purchase of 10 theaters from the Westates Theater chain. These include four locations in St. George, three in Logan, two in Cedar City, and one in Mesquite, Nevada.[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. The location opened on March 13, 2015.[7][8]

In 2019, Megaplex started offering a subscription service it called MegaPass.[9]

During the COVID pandemic Megaplex temporarily closed and then 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] This was done partially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13]

Due to the large Mormon population in Utah, Megaplex Theatres plays many faith-based films such as T.C. Christensen's The Fighting Preacher.[2]

Larry H. Miller Company acquired Swig in on the 22nd of November of 2022. Swig will start operating at Megaplex Theatres in 2023.[14]

The Megaplex Theatres at The Gateway will serve as venue for the Sundance move festival in 2023.[15]

Locations
Name Location Opened Screens
Jordan Commons Sandy, Utah 1999 20
The Gateway Salt Lake City, Utah 2001 9
Thanksgiving Point Lehi, Utah 2005 17
The District South Jordan, Utah 2006 20
The Junction Ogden, Utah 2007 13
Legacy Crossing Centerville, Utah 2011 14
Stadium 8 Cedar City, Utah 2012 8
Providence Stadium Providence, Utah 2012 8
University Stadium Logan, Utah 2012 6
Pineview Stadium St. George, Utah 2012 10
Sunset Stadium St. George, Utah 2012 8
Stadium 6 Mesquite, Nevada 2012 6
Valley Fair Mall West Valley City, Utah 2012 15
Geneva Vineyard, Utah 2015 13
Cottonwood Holladay, Utah 2017 6

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. 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.
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