Kristen Stewart Buys Historic Highland Park Movie Theater

The Oscar-nominated actress plans to restore and revive the 100-year-old venue as a community gathering space.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 3:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Kristen Stewart has purchased the historic Highland Theatre in Los Angeles' Highland Park neighborhood, which closed in 2024 due to the pandemic's impact on the movie industry. The Oscar-nominated actress and filmmaker plans to rehabilitate the 100-year-old venue, which was designed by renowned architect Lewis Arthur Smith, and transform it into a community-focused space that goes beyond just serving "pretentious Hollywood cinephiles."

Why it matters

Stewart's purchase of the Highland Theatre represents a growing trend of Hollywood figures stepping in to save and revive historic movie theaters that have struggled to survive the challenges of the post-pandemic landscape. Her vision for the space as a community hub that embraces the theater's history while bringing "new ideas" aligns with broader discussions about the need to reinvent and democratize the film industry.

The details

The Highland Theatre, which opened in 1925, was among the Los Angeles movie theaters that were forced to close in 2024 as business never fully recovered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stewart, who grew up in the San Fernando Valley with parents in the film industry, says she "ran toward" the opportunity to purchase the theater, which she describes as holding "mysteries" that she wants to uncover through restoration. She plans to rehabilitate the theater's original architectural elements while also introducing new elements to make it a gathering space "for the community" rather than just "pretentious Hollywood cinephiles."

  • The Highland Theatre closed in spring 2024.
  • Stewart confirmed the purchase of the theater in February 2026.

The players

Kristen Stewart

An Oscar-nominated actress and filmmaker who has purchased the historic Highland Theatre in Los Angeles' Highland Park neighborhood with plans to restore and revive the 100-year-old venue as a community-focused space.

Lewis Arthur Smith

The architect credited with designing the Highland Theatre, as well as other historic Los Angeles theaters like the Vista Theatre, El Portal, and Rialto.

Dan Akarakian

The former owner of the Highland Theatre, who was forced to shut the venue's doors in 2024 due to the pandemic's impact on the movie industry.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I didn't realize I was looking for a theater until this place came to my attention. Then it was like a gunshot went off and the race was on. I ran toward it with everything I had.”

— Kristen Stewart (Architectural Digest)

“This project is about creating a new school and restructuring our processes, finding a better way forward. We want to make it a family affair, something for the community. It's not just for pretentious Hollywood cinephiles. I see it as an antidote to all the corporate bullshit, a place that takes movie culture away from just buying and selling.”

— Kristen Stewart (Architectural Digest)

What’s next

Stewart plans to begin the process of rehabilitating and restoring the Highland Theatre, with the goal of transforming it into a community-focused space that goes beyond just serving "pretentious Hollywood cinephiles."

The takeaway

Kristen Stewart's purchase of the historic Highland Theatre in Los Angeles represents a growing trend of Hollywood figures stepping in to save and revive iconic movie theaters that have struggled to survive the challenges of the post-pandemic landscape. Her vision for the space as a community hub that embraces the theater's history while bringing "new ideas" aligns with broader discussions about the need to reinvent and democratize the film industry.