The Bruin Theater, a historic 670-seat venue in Los Angeles’ Westwood Village, is scheduled to reopen in October following a period of closure. Rui Pereira, a Canadian theater operator who also manages Toronto’s Kingsway Theater, has taken over the lease for the property originally constructed in 1937.
Pereira’s plans for the venue include installing 35mm and 70mm film projection capabilities and programming a mix of first-run releases, classic films, and special events. The theater’s sound system has undergone recent upgrades, according to Ben Steinberg, a marketing consultant assisting with the reopening. Pereira stated his intention to preserve the character of the classical theater while incorporating modern improvements to the facility.
The reopening represents part of a broader revitalization of Westwood’s theatrical landscape. The Bruin closure dates to 2024, when Regency Theatres’ lease ended at both the Village and the Bruin. The Village theater, located across the street, has been taken over by filmmaker Jason Reitman and associates operating under the name Director’s Village, with renovations planned for later this year. The news of the Bruin’s reopening follows recent announcements regarding other Westside venues, including Sony Pictures’ takeover of the Cinerama Dome and Alamo Drafthouse’s operation of former ArcLight multiplex locations.
Westwood’s theater district has experienced significant changes over recent decades, with many venues closing as moviegoers migrated to other areas. The Landmark Westwood, which opened in 1946, remains operational, while other specialty theaters continue to function in the region, including the Nuart and Royal locations on Santa Monica Boulevard.
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