The renovated courtyard at the Egyptian Theatre. Temple of Film: 100 Years of the Egyptian Theatre. Cr. Yoshihiro Makino/Netflix © 2023
Courtney Howard // Film Critic
The doors to The Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles first opened back in 1922 with the premiere of ROBIN HOOD starring Douglas Fairbanks. Thanks to two perfectly positioned spotlights (an idea coined by then owner Sid Grauman), the Egyptian-themed location on Hollywood Boulevard attracted all the glitz, glamor and star power to make crowds gather outside the theater’s courtyard. It was all the rage. However, in the 1990s, the theater fell into disrepair and was renovated with the promise of being returned to its original state of splendor. And though it re-opened and became a thriving venue for movie-going, it wasn’t quite the same as it had been before.
After a brief closure during the pandemic, new joint ownership between Netflix and the American Cinematheque, as well as ensuing major renovations that sought to preserve its historical luster, the grand theater is due to re-open its doors to the public on November 9, 2023 with David Fincher’s THE KILLER. The new owners have restored many of its lovely details back to their former grandeur – everything from the gold and scarab proscenium above the screen, to the murals on the courtyard walls and hieroglyphic stencils along the ceiling of the lobby. Since the original theater (which, back in the day, sat 1,000 patrons, and now seats 516) had been a silent one, they’ve even found a better way to incorporate indoor lighting and sound.
If you’re in Los Angeles, or planning a trip here, you’ll definitely want to make a pilgrimage to the Egyptian to take in the breathtaking ambience and gorgeous projection, whether that be a film in 35mm, 70mm, DCP or nitrate. Yes, you read that right. They are one of five theaters that can project the highly volatile/ flammable film stock.
Here’s a look at the schedule of upcoming film titles – now including previously unannounced titles like the new Zack Snyder film for Netflix, and screenings of DON’T LOOK NOW, DAYS OF HEAVEN restoration and L’AMOUR FOU restoration. Trust me when I say, that you’ll now feel comfortable sitting through films with elongated run times and movie marathons here as this theater has the comfiest seats in all of LA. It’s a film lover’s dream!
The full upcoming 2023 programming for the Egyptian theater includes:
November 9
Netflix and the American Cinematheque Present a Special Event Screening of The Killer and a Q&A with David Fincher
*SOLD OUT*
November 10 to November 21
The American Cinematheque Presents: Ultra Cinematheque 70 Fest 2023
Friday, November 10
Playtime at 7:00pm
American Cinematheque Members Only Screening in 70mm
Rare Screening Courtesy of Janus, Last Screened at the AC December 8, 2011
Alien at 10:15pm
First Premiered at the Egyptian Theatre Friday May 25, 1979
DCP Screening
Saturday, November 11
Alphaville at 3:00pm
West Coast Premiere of New Restoration Courtesy of Rialto Pictures!
DCP Screening
Boogie Nights at 7:00pm
70mm Screening
Sunday, November 12
West Side Story (1961) at 2:00pm
70mm Screening
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World at 7:00pm
American Cinematheque Members Only Screening in Atmos
Q&A With Edgar Wright and Bryan Lee O’Malley Moderated by The Daniels (Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert)
Monday, November 13
Spartacus at 7:30pm
70mm Screening
Tuesday, November 14
The Master 7:30pm
70mm Screening
Wednesday, November 15
Playtime at 7:30pm
American Cinematheque Members Only Screening in 70mm Encore
Thursday, November 16
The Wild Bunch 7:30pm
70mm Screening
Friday, November 17
2001: A Space Odyssey at 7:30pm
American Cinematheque’s Personal 70mm Print
Saturday, November 18
Nope at 3:00pm
70mm Screening
Aliens at 7:00pm
Rare 70mm Screening Courtesy of Fox Archives
Not Screened in 70mm at the American Cinematheque Since May 29, 2009
Originally Played at the Egyptian July 14, 1986
Sunday, November 19
Lawrence of Arabia at 5:00pm
American Cinematheque’s Personal 70mm Print
Introduction by Jeremy Arnold
Monday, November 20
Aliens at 7:30pm
American Cinematheque Members Only Screening
Tuesday, November 21
2001: A Space Odyssey at 7:30pm
American Cinematheque’s Personal 70mm Print
November 22 to December 7
Bradley Cooper’s Maestro in Dolby Atmos
December 5
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Other Short Films by Wes Anderson
A big screen spotlight on Anderson’s triumphant Henry Sugar and some of his favorite one-reelers from 1995-2021
December 8 to 14
The Los Angeles premieres of the two brand new restorations:
Days Of Heaven (Paramount Pictures) and L’amour Fou (Janus Films)
The 50th Anniversary of Don’t Look Now
35mm IB Tech print courtesy of the British Film Institute
A 35mm presentation of Douglas Sirk’s 1959 film Imitation Of Life followed by a Q&A with actress Susan Kohner with a book signing by Foster Hirsch in celebration of ‘Hollywood and the Movies of the Fifties.’
The world premiere of the new 4K restoration of Lone Star + Q&A with John Sayles, courtesy of Warner Bros. and the Criterion Collection.
December 15 to December 21
Exclusive 70mm engagement of Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child Of Fire
Tickets will be available November 15, details to come.
December 22 to 24
35mm presentations of It’s A Wonderful Life
You can sign up for updates and access ticket sales information on the Egyptian Theater here and follow the theater on Instagram, Threads, X and Facebook for additional details.
You can sign up to join the American Cinematheque or learn more about their public screening ticket sales here.
