Regal Edwards Big Newport
300 Newport Center Drive,
Newport Beach,
CA
92660
300 Newport Center Drive,
Newport Beach,
CA
92660
35 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Regal Entertainment Group (Official)
Additional Info
Operated by: Regal Entertainment Group
Previously operated by: Edwards Cinemas
Architects: Robert H. Banco, L. Perry Pearson, Paul Wuesthoff
Firms: BB Architects, Pearson & Wuesthoff
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Previous Names: Edwards Big Newport, Edwards Big Newport 3, Edwards Big Newport 6
Nearby Theaters
No theaters found within 30 miles
News About This Theater
- May 23, 2012 — Celebrating the Original STAR WARS on its 35th Anniversary
- May 21, 2010 — Happy 30th, "Empire"
- Aug 21, 2009 — "Alien" 30th Anniversary
- Aug 15, 2009 — "Apocalypse Now" 30th Anniversary
- Nov 14, 2003 — “A Christmas Story” Comes to Edwards Big Newport
Opened February 11, 1969 with Olivia Hussey in “Romeo and Juliet”. It had 1,130 seats and a 71-foot screen, this was among the last of the large theatres built in Southern California before the advent of the multi-screen shoeboxes in the early-1970’s. It was the fourth theatre built by the growing Edwards chain and for many years it was considered their flagship.
On May 22, 1974 a second screen was built alongside the original screen and a third screen was added on May 26, 1989, keeping the original auditorium intact.
Edwards' corporate offices were in the second story of one of the newer theatres and anyone who attended a matinee would probably see James Edwards II, the chain’s founder, greeting patrons. He came to work daily until his death at the age of 90.
In 1996, three stadium auditoriums were added to the building but the Big Newport, with its non-stadium seating, has defied trends and still continues to draw crowds. The total seating capacity was for 3,000. The Big Newport has a loyal following of fans who camp out or at least show up for the first day of the big movies.
Edwards Newport Cinemas is now part of Regal Entertainment Group.
Contributed by
Ron Pierce
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Recent comments (view all 108 comments)
Andrew Davis' Oscar-winning 1993 adaptation of “The Fugitive” opened at the Big Newport 30 years ago today (August 6, 1993).
Starring Harrison Ford, Sela Ward & Tommy Lee Jones, the highly anticipated action-thriller debuted at number one on 2,340 screens & held the top spot for the next five weeks, grossing just south of $184 million in North America & finishing its run as the third highest-grossing film of 1993.
The film was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture, and won for Best Supporting Actor (Jones). It remains a textbook for smart action filmmaking to this day.
According to an old article I found, this used to be the location of Edwards Cinemas’ headquarters before their merger into the Regal Entertainment Group in 2002…
Replaced the grand opening ad.
Theater name is Regal Edwards Big Newport. Capacity is 1,143.
Auditorium capacities: 459 (1/RPX), 184 (2), 126 (3), 132 (4), 121 (5), 121 (6)
Please add to the description, theatre #2 opened on May 22, 1974, Theatre 3 on May 26, 1989 (Grand opening ad in photos section) and the remaining 3 on July 5, 1996
Are there any photos of this place when it was a 3 plex?
There is/was talks about tearing down this place to build condos. Hope it won’t happen.
Will be demolished to make room for condos.
Oh no UGH
https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2026-03-06/big-newport-condos
Plan to transform Big Newport movie theater into high-rise condos approved
The Regal Edwards Big Newport movie theater — with its iconic Art Deco marquee, stadium seating and wide screens — is set to be replaced by high-rise housing as it nears the end of its theatrical run.
The Newport Beach Planning Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to approve a plan to demolish the storied movie house and build a pair of residential towers with 150 condominiums between them in its place.
Commissioners hope the project will spur a reimagining of the Newport Center, a business, shopping and entertainment district anchored by Fashion Island that future residents can also call home.
“We are excited about being part of the 21st Century Newport Center,” Gino Canori, president and chief executive of Related California, told commissioners. “We are committed to investing fully to build the highest quality residential project possible.”