CGV LA Theater Shuts Down After 15 Years in U.S.

CGV announced on its website that it has permanently ended its U.S. theater operations, closing the CGV LA site on September 21. The shutdown concludes 15 years of activity in the American market. The company said the decision came “after much consideration” and thanked customers for their support.

The closure ends an era in which Korean Americans could watch Korean films on large screens with Korean subtitles. One audience member noted, “It was almost the only place where I could enjoy the latest Korean movies on the big screen with my kids. It’s disappointing.”

CGV entered the United States in June 2010 with its first theater at Madang Mall in LA Koreatown. The three-auditorium, 600-seat venue was expected to serve as a gateway to Hollywood. In January 2017, the company opened CGV Buena Park at The Source Mall, an eight-screen, 1,200-seat multiplex that also hosted cultural events. In September 2021, CGV expanded to San Francisco after acquiring and remodeling the former AMC 1000 Van Ness theater.

The pandemic and the rapid rise of streaming services dealt a heavy blow to the theater industry, leading to steep declines in attendance and revenue. The San Francisco site, built with $14.8 million in investment and 14 screens, reported $54 million in losses within 18 months and closed in February 2024. The Buena Park location followed, suspending operations in March 2025 due to ongoing difficulties. It has since been reopened under Regency Theatres, based in Calabasas, since May 2025.

With CGV’s withdrawal, Korean American audiences will have fewer opportunities to see the latest Korean films with subtitles in a multiplex setting. Many will instead rely on smaller independent theaters, unsubtitled screenings, or streaming platforms. In Korea, the company has also faced declining attendance and restructuring, making the U.S. exit part of what is viewed as an unavoidable step toward management efficiency.

BY NAKI PARK [park.naki@koreadaily.com]