AMC Theatres, a movie theater chain, is getting ready to open a new location in La Mesa at 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., Suite 169.
The new theater will move into the former Reading Cinemas site, which closed its 10-screen Grossmont Center location around June 1, 2026, according to a news release. AMC recently announced an agreement with the owner of Grossmont Center, Federal Realty, to take over the space and complete a major renovation. The theater is expected to remain closed during construction and reopen in early 2027.
AMC plans to renovate and modernize all 10 auditoriums as part of the project. While additional upgrades have not yet been publicly detailed, the company has confirmed that its signature power reclining seats will be installed throughout the venue. The renovation marks another expansion for AMC in San Diego County, where the company continues to grow its presence. Once the Grossmont location opens, AMC is expected to operate 10 theaters throughout the county.
The theater transition comes as Grossmont Center undergoes a broader redevelopment effort. Federal Realty is investing approximately $10 million into improvements across the property, with work expected to be completed in October. Planned upgrades include new walkways, lighting enhancements, updated entrances, security improvements, elevated turf areas, a performance space, and living-room-style seating within the central plaza.
Grossmont Center has long served as one of East County’s primary shopping and entertainment destinations. Construction on the first phase of the mall’s modernization began earlier this year on the north side of the property between Target and Walmart. AMC’s arrival is one of the most significant changes announced as part of the center’s ongoing transformation. The project is expected to help maintain the theater’s role as a key attraction within the shopping center.
Reading Cinemas had operated at Grossmont Center for years before its closure earlier this month. The transition will ensure the theater space remains active while introducing a new operator to the property. This will be an excellent landing space for AMC, allowing the company to take over a long-established entertainment venue while benefiting from the center’s ongoing improvements.
“As part of the acquisition, the theatre will receive extensive upgrades, including the installation of AMC’s signature power reclining seats in all 10 auditoriums, among other significant improvements to be shared closer to opening. Once complete, AMC will offer a fully modernized moviegoing experience designed to serve guests throughout La Mesa and the greater San Diego market,” the company said in a news release.
