After 18 years in downtown Claremont, Laemmle Theatres will soon be closing the doors to our beloved Claremont 5 location.
This decision did not come easily. The Claremont 5 has been a meaningful part of our company’s history and, more importantly, of a community that showed up again and again for independent, foreign, and specialty films.
When the Claremont 5 first opened in 2007 as part of the city’s expanded downtown, our goal was simple: to create a home for movies that might not otherwise have a screen in the Inland Empire. Over the years, this theater has become a gathering place for cinephiles, students, families, and neighbors who valued discovery, conversation, and the shared experience of watching films together.
Like many independent theaters, the Claremont 5 faced significant challenges in the years following the pandemic. While we saw encouraging energy around special events and programs aimed at students and younger audiences, overall attendance did not rebound to a level that would allow the theater to remain financially sustainable. Following our almost-sale (and subsequent call to action) back in 2023, ticket sales improved only modestly, with much of the regular programming struggling to find the audience it deserved.
In that context, when Regency Theatres approached us with a fair offer to purchase the Claremont 5, we made the difficult decision to move forward with the sale. While the theater was not actively on the market, it quickly became clear that such a transition could offer the venue a new opportunity to evolve under different stewardship. We genuinely hope that Regency’s fresh perspective will allow the space to thrive in new ways.
“What I’ll miss most isn’t just the theater—it’s sharing great films with incredible people,” commented Guy Valdez, Claremont’s general manager of 8+ years. “Thank you for supporting independent film and for making this place feel like home. I’m deeply grateful.”
For now, we will continue operating the Claremont 5 through the end of January, programming films as usual until our final days.
Above all, we want to thank the audience members who supported the Claremont 5 over the past 18 years. You showed up for small films, challenging films, and films that sparked discussion long after the credits rolled. Together, you made this theater more than a building—You made it a gathering place.
While this chapter is ending, our gratitude endures. So thank you, Claremont, for your curiosity, your loyalty, and for allowing us to be part of your moviegoing lives.
Gratefully yours,
Laemmle Theatres