The Laemmle Claremont 5 theater closed its doors after 18 years of operation in the village on Jan. 28, and is set to reopen in May under new ownership of Regency Theatres.
The family-owned theater — tucked inside the village plaza and beloved by residents and students for its discounted ticket prices and classic neon sign — faced financial difficulties following the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly closing in 2023.
Due to lasting financial challenges, Greg Laemmle, the owner and operator of Laemmle’s six theaters, put the Claremont location up for sale in 2019 and again in 2020, but both times, negotiations eventually fell through.
According to a blog post from Laemmle, the theater was not on the market when they were approached by Regency in Nov. 2025. However, after being approached with an offer from Regency, Laemmle thought a change in ownership made the most sense following years of low ticket sales.
“While we saw encouraging energy around special events and programs aimed at students and younger audiences, overall attendance did not rebound [post pandemic] to a level that would allow the theater to remain financially sustainable,” the post read.
Regency Theatres — a medium sized theater chain in California, Arizona and Hawaii — will continue to screen movies after completing renovations this spring, according to the Daily Bulletin.
Regency is set to reopen the theater in May, after adding reclining seats, tables and more food options to the space.
Still, many 5C students were stunned by the sudden ownership change and closure.
Jenna McComas CM ’28 said she frequently attended the Laemmle’s screenings on Tuesdays with her friends when the theater offered all-day $7 tickets. She noted the change in ownership may lower student attendance due to a raise in prices.
“It was very nice to not have to pay $20 to go see a movie,” McComas said. “I don’t think that college students would be as likely to go as often if they’re paying a crazy amount to go see a movie.”
Jordan Becknell SC ’27, co-chair of publicity for the 5C’s 5×5 Films Club, also shared her appreciation for the Laemmle and regretted not going more before it closed.
“I always had a lot of love in my heart for it, and it made me really happy that we had a semi-independent theater in the area,” Becknell said.
Becknell’s Co-Chair of Publicity for 5×5 Films Club, Shuta Okuakai PZ ’27, highlighted the importance of attending screenings with friends or strangers. While under renovation, students will be deprived of an important third space.
“I feel like collective viewing experiences are so meaningful [while] watching films — sharing the same moment, same movie, same space, same emotions with someone that you don’t know,” Becknell said.
“I feel like collective viewing experiences are so meaningful [while] watching films — sharing the same moment, same movie, same space, same emotions with someone that you don’t know,” Becknell said.
The Laemmle also partnered with local organizations to host events in its space. Dennis Callaci, co-founder of Dirty Opera — a Pomona Valley-based non-profit that worked closely with Laemmle to host unique screenings and Q&As with directors and actors — said he hoped the Regency would continue Laemmle’s efforts to collaborate with his organization.
“Dirty Opera would not exist without the Claremont Laemmle 5,” Callaci said in an email to TSL. “We started this venture [Dirty Opera] as a means to help save the theater, to do our part.”
Wren Hartford SC ’28 said one of the biggest draws to the Laemmle was its locally-focused, intimate setting and she hoped that doesn’t change under new ownership.
“What’s so special about small movies is the family-like atmosphere, and big chains lack that warmth,” Hartford said. “I’m hoping that Regency can retain the Laemmle’s community-centered, homey feel that’s so endearing, and is what ultimately drew people to it.”
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