Megaplex Theatres
Introduction '''Megaplex Theatres''' is a cinema chain based in Sandy, Utah. Founded in 1999 by the late Larry H. Miller, then owner of the Utah Jazz, it is currently owned by the Larry H. Miller Company. As of 2023, Megaplex Theatres operates 15 locations in Utah and Nevada, and it has plans to expand into Idaho.
History The first Megaplex Theatres location anchored the newly built Jordan Commons restaurant and entertainment complex in  Sandy. It opened 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. 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.Megaplex at Jordan CommonsIn September 2005, the location in Sandy opened the second IMAX screen in Utah. Since then, Megaplex has added IMAX screens at locations in South Jordan, West Valley City, Centerville, and Vineyard.In April 2012, the chain announced its expansion beyond the Wasatch Front with the purchase of 11 theaters from Westates Theatres. These included four locations in St. George, three in Logan, two in Cedar City, and one in Mesquite, Nevada.This expansion added 71 screens and 11,968 seats to Megaplex Theatres' capacity. It had previously been operating 84 screens at six locations. Financial terms were not disclosed.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.In 2019, Megaplex started offering a subscription service it called MegaPass. During the COVID pandemic Megaplex temporarily closed and then started limited screenings with social distancing. It also sold popcorn to go from the curb.In 2020, Megaplex announced plans for construction of a theater in Idaho Falls, Idaho.In 2021, Megaplex launched "Megaplex Luxury Theatres." Megaplex Luxury Theatres have heated luxury seats, in-seat dining, and private meeting space. This was done partially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Due to the large Mormon population in Utah, Megaplex Theatres shows many religious films such as  T.C. Christensen's ''The Fighting Preacher''.Larry H. Miller Company acquired  Swig in on the November 22nd, 2022.Swig will start operating at Megaplex Theatres in 2023.The Megaplex Theatres at The Gateway served as a venue for the Sundance Film Festival in 2023.In 2023, Megaplex Theatres expanded its Kids Summer Movies program by giving children from families that get public food benefits free admission. The program also covers one adult from each such family. The regular Megaplex Kids Summer Movies pass remains unmodified. As of 2023, a $10 pass entitled one guest to attend up to ten different family-friendly movies over the summer. This program includes "sensory friendly" showings designed for autistic children and others with sensory sensitivity. These same showings allow guests to stand, move, and make noise as needed to make themselves comfortable.
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