Aurora Cinemark will be renovated and re-opened, city says

Butter up that popcorn: Theater movies are set to return to Aurora’s Barrington plaza.

Atlas Cinemas and the Guggenheim Real Estate Group recently inked a lease that will see the former Cinemark 10 theater renovated and then reopened, Aurora Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said in a Jan. 9 press release.

The facility will feature 10 auditoriums with wall-to-wall screens, “immersive eye-popping digital presentation,” and surround sound, all of which will combine to provide customers with “the ultimate audio-visual experience,” Atlas Cinemas Vice President Gabriel Saluan said in the release.

RealD 3D, an immersive 3D experience powered by sophisticated, cutting-edge screen and visual technology, will also be available in select auditoriums, he said.

Moviegoers will be able to relax in high-backed leather rocker-gliders. The facility’s renovated concession stand will offer alcoholic beverages, as well as a full spectrum of concession and food options.

Movie choices will include Hollywood’s newest shows, Bollywood films, art house selections, concerts, operas and Fathom Events. (Fathom is, according to its website, “the largest distributor of documentaries, faith-based and inspirational content as well as being at the forefront of bringing anime, performing arts, and classic films to moviegoers worldwide.”)

Cinemark 10, the facility’s previous multi-screen moviehouse, unexpectedly closed its curtains during the height of the pandemic. Since then, would-be movie-goers have had to trek to Cinemark Macedonia, MovieScoop Kent Plaza Cinemas, Ravenna 7 Movies, the Garrettsville Cinema or the Regal Hudson theater.

Atlas Cinemas expects to begin renovations this month and anticipates reopening Aurora’s theater in the spring.