Megaplex Theatres: A History of Innovation and Entertainment

Megaplex Theatres, a cinema chain based in Sandy, Utah, has become a prominent name in the movie entertainment industry. Founded in 1999 by the late Larry H. Miller, owner of the Utah Jazz, Megaplex Theatres has grown from a single location to a chain with multiple sites. Managed by Miller Sports + Entertainment, a division of the Larry H. Miller Company, Megaplex Theatres has significantly impacted the movie-going experience in Utah and beyond.

The Genesis of Megaplex Theatres

The first Megaplex Theatres location was established at the Jordan Commons restaurant and entertainment complex in Sandy. This inaugural theater opened its doors on November 1, 1999, featuring 20 screens. The site was previously occupied by Jordan High School, which had been on the location for over 100 years but had fallen into disrepair. The local school district was unable to bring the building up to code, paving the way for the development of the Megaplex Theatres. Since its opening, the Sandy site has become a high-grossing theater and a top performer nationwide for some films.

Expansion and Growth

Megaplex Theatres has consistently expanded its footprint, both within and beyond the Wasatch Front. In September 2005, the Sandy location introduced the second IMAX auditorium in Utah. Subsequently, IMAX screens were added to locations in South Jordan, West Valley City, Centerville, and Vineyard.

In April 2012, Megaplex Theatres announced a significant expansion beyond the Wasatch Front with the acquisition of 11 theaters from Westates Theatres. This purchase included four theaters in St. George, three in Logan, two in Cedar City, and one in Mesquite, Nevada. The acquisition added 71 screens and 11,968 seats to Megaplex Theatres' capacity, which had previously been operating 84 screens at six locations.

In September 2013, Megaplex Theatres revealed plans to construct a new location in Vineyard as part of a development on the former site of Geneva Steel. This expansion underscored the company's commitment to growth and innovation in the entertainment sector.

Adapting to Challenges

Like many businesses, Megaplex Theatres faced challenges during the COVID pandemic. The chain temporarily closed its locations and later implemented limited screenings with social distancing measures. These adaptations were necessary to ensure the safety of moviegoers while continuing to provide entertainment options.

Community Engagement and Special Programs

Megaplex Theatres has a strong connection with the local community, particularly the Latter-day Saint population in Utah. The chain often screens religious films, including T.C. Christensen's "The Fighting Preacher."

In 2023, Megaplex Theatres expanded its Kids Summer Movies program by offering free admission to children from families receiving public food benefits, with one adult per family also covered. The regular Megaplex Kids Summer Movies pass, priced at $10, entitles one guest to attend up to ten family-friendly movies during the summer. The program also includes "sensory friendly" showings designed for autistic children and others with sensory sensitivities.

Ongoing Renovations and Upgrades

As of 2024, the Larry H. Miller Company was undertaking a program to renovate several Megaplex Theatres locations in Utah. These improvements include luxury reclining seats, "quiet rooms," new projectors, and improved sound systems. Renovations at the Ogden Megaplex were completed, with work underway in St. George, Vineyard, and Centerville. These upgrades reflect Megaplex Theatres' commitment to providing a premium movie-going experience.

Acquisitions and New Developments

In April 2024, Megaplex Theatres announced the acquisition of the site of Redstone Cinema 8 at Kimball Junction in Park City, Utah. The company plans to renovate the site with a focus on luxury amenities.

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Megaplex Theatres also acquired the Water Gardens Theatres in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Built in 1997, this location is being rebranded and renovated, with a scheduled opening date in late 2024.

In October 2024, Megaplex Theaters announced plans to add a new location in St. George, further solidifying its presence in the region.

In November 2024, Megaplex reopened the Redstone Theatre at Kimball Junction in Park City after completing significant upgrades.

Rebranding and Future Vision

In 2025, Megaplex Theaters launched a rebrand, collaborating with the agency Matchstic to create new visual and verbal identities. Ashley Havili, vice president of marketing for Megaplex, emphasized the importance of honoring Megaplex's rich legacy while embracing the future. The rebrand reflects Megaplex's commitment to staying relevant and innovative in the ever-evolving entertainment landscape.

As of May 2025, the University Stadium 6 location in Logan, Utah, was undergoing extensive remodeling, demonstrating Megaplex's ongoing investment in improving its facilities.

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Megaplex Entertainment Centers

Megaplex Entertainment centers represent an expansion of the Megaplex brand, offering a broader range of entertainment options beyond traditional movie theaters. The first Megaplex Entertainment center opened in South Jordan's Daybreak development in 2025.

The Rise of Megaplexes: A Historical Perspective

The emergence of megaplexes like Megaplex Theatres is part of a broader trend in the movie industry. Back in the early 1990s, movie theaters were often cramped, with narrow auditoriums and dim screens. In 1995, the AMC Grand 24 in Dallas revolutionized the movie-going experience by introducing the first movie megaplex in the United States.

The rise of the megaplex is a relatively recent phenomenon, but it is rooted in a long history of movie-viewing. In the 1940s, the peak of moviegoing in the United States, the average American went to the movies at least once a week. As television gained popularity, movies competed by becoming more spectacular. The 1960s saw the rise of huge studio epics, and theaters became larger and more luxurious.

In the early 1970s, studios realized there was enough demand to release movies simultaneously in the suburbs and the city. As the seventies transitioned into the eighties, movie-going became a less glamorous experience. Auditoriums were cramped, floors were sticky, and attendance was declining. Meanwhile, home-video was taking off, prompting theater owners to upgrade the movie-going experience.

Stan Durwood, who took over his family's small Kansas City movie theater chain, Durwood Theaters, realized that upgrading theaters and offering more choices were the only way forward. He had seen a large cinema with 25 screens in Belgium and wanted to replicate this model in the United States. Despite skepticism from his finance team, Durwood persisted and bet the company on megaplexes.

The new megaplexes were a significant departure from the cramped theaters of the past. They featured comfortable seating, arcade games, neon lighting, and multiple concession stands. Stadium seating, with tiered risers, provided unobstructed views from every seat. These innovations proved popular with moviegoers.

Over the next six years, the number of movie screens in the United States increased by fifty percent. Ben Fritz, an editor at the Wall Street Journal, noted that film studios increased their production, creating more varied films with original ideas. Jack Foley, a distributor at Columbia, described the megaplex as a Trojan horse for slipping strange, subversive movies into unsuspecting suburbs across America.

However, the megaplex building craze led to an oversupply of theaters by the early 2000s. As attendance declined at older theaters, several theater companies declared bankruptcy. By the mid-2000s, the movie business became focused on the "first weekend," with studios releasing blockbusters on as many screens as possible. Theater owners realized they could show blockbusters on multiple screens with frequent showtimes.

The economics of the movie business continue to evolve, with theater companies facing challenges even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise of streaming services like Netflix has further impacted attendance. During the pandemic, the industry has experimented with releasing new movies directly to streaming or simultaneously in theaters and at home.

Megaplex Theatres at University

Westates Theatres opened the University Stadium 6 Theatres on October 19, 2007. The 26,000-square-foot theater complex has 1,300 seats, stadium seating, and new film projectors. The largest auditorium seats over 400 people. Although the multiplex has only six screens, it has more seats than the eight-screen Providence Stadium 8.

Community Theaters vs. Megaplexes

The rise of megaplexes has also impacted smaller, community movie theaters. In the late 1940s, community movie theaters were a popular destination for evening entertainment. However, evolving technology and changing market desires led to declining numbers of local movie theaters.

Some small theaters have managed to survive by offering a unique experience that differs from the megaplex model. These theaters often focus on creating a community gathering place and offering a curated selection of films and performances.

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