Kristen Stewart Buys Historic L.A. Theater to Revive Moviegoing

The actor-director aims to restore the 100-year-old Highland Theatre and reinvigorate the local film community.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 5:55pm

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Kristen Stewart has purchased the historic Highland Theatre in Los Angeles, which closed nearly two years ago, and plans to restore the 100-year-old cultural landmark. Stewart, who has been a longstanding advocate for the L.A. community, hopes to revitalize theatergoing and provide a space for filmmakers and families to gather.

Why it matters

Stewart's effort to save the Highland Theatre is part of a broader movement by filmmakers to preserve classic movie theaters in Los Angeles, which have struggled to survive the rise of streaming and the economic impacts of the pandemic. Her purchase of the theater aims to counter the trend of local theaters being replaced by major retail chains, and to reinvigorate the city's film community.

The details

The three-story Highland Theatre, designed by architect Lewis Arthur Smith, once hosted vaudeville acts and is considered a cultural landmark in Los Angeles. It shut its doors less than a week short of its 100th anniversary in 2024 due to economic challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Stewart, who was raised in the San Fernando Valley, hopes to turn the theater into "a space that families can go and that also filmmakers can go and so we can kind of be in service of each other." The actor-director plans to restore the aging building and create a hub for the local film community.

  • The Highland Theatre closed its doors less than a week short of its 100th anniversary in 2024.
  • Stewart purchased the theater in early 2026.

The players

Kristen Stewart

An actor-turned-director who has purchased the historic Highland Theatre in Los Angeles in an effort to revive theatergoing and support the local film community.

Dan Akarakian

The previous owner of the Highland Theatre, who told The Times in 2024 that the theater was unable to recover economically from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lewis Arthur Smith

The architect who designed the Highland Theatre, as well as other local theaters like the Vista in Los Feliz and El Portal in North Hollywood.

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What they’re saying

“When people are desperate, they start doing desperate things. I think buying this theater feels a little desperate in like the most beautiful way.”

— Kristen Stewart (Architectural Digest)

“Everything that's already living here is so beautiful. It just needs to be like taken care of. I mean, the place is falling down. We definitely need like a lot of help, but it's worth it.”

— Kristen Stewart (Architectural Digest)

“This project is about creating a new school and restructuring our processes, finding a better way forward.”

— Kristen Stewart (Architectural Digest)

What’s next

Stewart plans to restore the aging Highland Theatre building and turn it into a hub for the local film community, hosting screenings and public events.

The takeaway

Kristen Stewart's purchase of the historic Highland Theatre in Los Angeles is part of a broader effort by filmmakers to preserve classic movie theaters in the city, countering the trend of local theaters being replaced by major retail chains. Her goal is to revitalize theatergoing and provide a space for the local film community to gather, screen films, and collaborate.