Reading Cinemas Takes Over Movie Experience in Murrieta

Movie-goers in Murrieta may notice a name change at their local theater, to Cal Oaks 17.

Reading Cinemas, part of Reading International, which dates back to the Reading Railroad company, has acquired Reading owns and/or manages several theaters in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

The transaction closed Friday, according to Reading Cinemas Chief Operating Officer, Ellen Cotter.

"We think it's a great theater; it has great bones," Cotter said in a phone interview. "And it's a great community."

With its U.S. corporate headquarters in Commerce, Calif., Reading International owns or manages eight theaters in California, four of which are in San Diego.

Cotter said the company is working on a renovation plan, which includes new signage and sprucing up the lobby and concession area. Other minor repairs are already underway in the theater. The theater has remained open since the acquisition and there are no plans to close during future renovations.

Reading also plans to replace at least two projectors with digital ones, giving them the ability to offer movies in 35 mm and 3D formats. 

Other offerings could include specialty films. Reading owns Angelika Film Center, which Cotter said is the strongest-grossing art house in the U.S.

The Movie Experience could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

In January, The Movie Experience at Tower Plaza in Temecula was acquired by UltraStar Cinemas.

A majority of the employees at the Murrieta location have stayed on with the takeover, Cotter said.

While movie tickets are market-driven, Cotter said prices at Cal Oaks 17 should remain the same for the foreseeable future.

Prices are:

$5.50 – All seats / First show - Daily

$8.00 – Until  5:30 pm – Daily

$10.50 – General Admission

$7.50 – Child 3-12

$7.50 – Senior – 60+

$9.50 – Military – Daily w/ ID

$9.50 – Student – Mon-Thurs w/ ID

Visit the website for Reading Cinemas Cal Oaks 17 by clicking here.