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The Highland Theatre, located in Highland Park, Los Angeles, was designed by prominent theater architect Lewis A. Smith. Renowned for its Moorish-style interior, it opened on March 5, 1925, with a special appearance by actress Norma Shearer and the premiere of the film Lady of the Night. Originally seating 1,432 patrons, it was constructed for local banker Clyde M. Church on what was then Pasadena Avenue (now Figueroa Street).

Highland Park, once a bustling entertainment hub, was home to eight theaters, including the Arroyo, Franklin, and York theaters. The Highland Theatre quickly became a centerpiece of the neighborhood’s vibrant culture, operated initially by West Coast Theatres (later Fox West Coast Theatres). Like most suburban theaters of its time, it showcased several films a week.

The venue went through various transformations, including a period as an adult theater, before pivoting to family films in 1975 under operator Arman Akarakian. In 1983, it was converted into a triplex, reducing its capacity to 465 seats across three screens on the main floor, while the balcony and stage areas were left unused.

Designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1991, the Highland Theatre retained much of its original decor in the balcony area. Despite challenges, it thrived as a triplex by offering affordable prices and friendly service.

In August 2022, the theater building was listed for sale by the family that owned it for nearly a century. It was purchased in December 2022 by Cyrus Etemad, who also owns nearby properties like the Highland Park Bowl. While Etemad has expressed a commitment to preserving the building as a theater, no specific renovation plans have been announced.

The operator’s 99-year lease, originally signed in 1924, expired in February 2023. Etemad allowed the operator to continue running the theater rent-free for a year. However, on February 29, 2024, the Highland Theatre abruptly closed, citing financial difficulties exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The final films shown included Bob Marley: One Love and Dune: Part Two.

In June through August 2025, the theatre was used as a stand-in for a 1977 version of the New Beverly Cinema during filming of The Adventures of Cliff Booth (Netflix, 2026), the Tarantino-penned sequel to Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood. Exterior and lobby scenes were shot at the Highland, with auditorium scenes filmed elsewhere. Closed since February 2024, the theatre is slated to be renovated by its new owners.