Tustin Market Place 6
2961 El Camino Real,
Tustin,
CA
92782
2961 El Camino Real,
Tustin,
CA
92782
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Edwards Cinemas, Regal Entertainment Group
Previous Names: Edwards Tustin Market Place 6
Nearby Theaters
Although the Market Place 6 is in a suburban shopping center, its layout is not built on any traditional California architectural model. Entering the freestanding building gave one a slightly urban feeling. Its auditoriums were on the second floor, above the restaurants and shops. The auditoriums sat side by side across from a row of long rectangular windows, reaching nearly to the floor, which give waiting moviegoers a view of the shopping center.
When Edwards Cinemas opened it on August 7, 1992 with Clint Eastwood in “Unforgiven”. At that time tickets were bought on the outside ground level three-window boxoffice but that has been closed for many years. The escalators took you upstairs to the entrance and lobby where tickets were purchased at the concession stand.
The very modern interior still seemed contemporary and the non-stadium seating was very spacious. Its movies were mainly moveovers from the Edwards Stadium 10, across the street. There may be reason for its longevity, despite the Edwards 10 across the street and AMC’s District 14, three miles away. Its demise could have potentially spell bad news for the restaurants and stores surrounding it, such as California Pizza Kitchen. Regal has probably negotiated very attractive terms with their landlord, the Irvine Company.
The Tustin Market Place 6 was closed on October 7, 2012.
Contributed by
Ron Pierce
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
Caught “Warrior” at the Tustin 6 last week; first time I’d been inside since 2001. Looked the same for the most part, save for the lack of people. Only one other person in my theater for a matinee showing. Had to move twice as the armrests on both seats I tried were loose. Seats in front of me were faded and chipped. Presentation and sound were fine for the most part(surprisingly all theaters feature digital projection) but with its lack of stadium seating and overall freshness, it really fits the model of a bargain theater now and ticket prices should be dropped to at least $5 for all screenings, not just the ones on Sunday and Tuesday. Paying $9.75 for a matinee here is ridiculous. I don’t plan on returning until that happens.
Do ALL the auditoriums have a fixed aspect ratio of about 2:1? Went here for the first time Friday… The digital projection allowed them to pillarbox 1.85 on the screen, with slivers of empty space on either side. I’m assuming that Scope shows still get cropped, as they have Sony 4k, meaning they couldn’t easily alter the image height for a letterbox effect.
It’s a lot like other late 80s/early 90s Edwards sites with the fixed aspect ratios, that distinct type of seat that rocks back and forth, and a strangely modern interior given the auditoriums themselves… Most reminded me of the Del Mar Highlands 8.
Just heard about the closure. Regal really dropped the ball on this property. It could have been a viable, rather profitable second-run theater if they just brought the prices down to relect the product and environment. Offering reduced pricing on just Sundays and Tuesdays was a joke. Just look at what Starplex did with the old Woodbridge Theater in Irvine. They’re charging $2 a head for second-run flicks and doing gangbuster business everyday. It’s like the early ‘80s over there. With any luck, they’ll rescue the Tustin 6 and make it a destination once again.
Seems like a great property for Regency to pick up, though it’ll probably become retail given the popularity of the mall.
guarantee that that Regal put a non compete clause in the closure of this theater, unless they just let the lease expire and the landlord is motivated to fill it.
Second run houses are going to be a thing of the past anyone going in there at this point will have to re-fit the booth again with new equipment and there is no point not going digital, and the cost out weighs the fact there is probably a booking zone issue where they will have to split product and argh as nice as it sounds it is a gut re-hab.
PRO’s it hasn’t been closed long enough to be demolished.
Frankly, second-run theaters have reinvigorated the exhibition business. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Starplex’s Woodbridge 5 is doing gangbuster business as a bargain house. They went digital two years ago and can show anyhing that’s out there, 3D included. One just has to look at the lines in front of the place on a Saturday night to realize second-run theaters are not “a thing of the past.” Moviegoers are hungry for cheaper alternatives, especially in family-friendly places like Irvine and Tustin. Starplex is doing it, so is Regency. Regal should have recongized the opportunity and jumped on it. If it doesn’t fit your current model, change the model.
As far as a gut-rehab, I don’t buy it. Its location (second-floor)and large footprint make it a very unique property. With the exception of maybe a restaurant or food court, I can’t see anything else going in there. Restaurants, however, have been closing over there for years so I doubt anyone new would come in. I’m pretty sure it was the lease that expired and the Irvine Company will look at new theater operators first, as they did when Edwards closed the Woodbridge 5.
June 5th, 1992 grand opening ad in photo section
(Finally uploaded the ads!)
Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning classic “Unforgiven” opened at the Tustin Marketplace 30 years ago today (August 7, 1992).
Starring Eastwood, Morgan Freeman & Gene Hackman, the film opened at number one on over 2,000 screens & remained it the top ten through mid-September, ending its initial run with a gross over $75 million & finishing the year as the 11th highest-grossing film of 1992.
The film was re-released on over 500 screens in early March of ‘93 after it received nine Oscar nominations & added another 300 screens by early April after winning Best Picture, Director, Editing & Supporting Actor (Hackman) awards.
By the end of its “Oscar Run”, it had grossed another $25 million to finish with a total just north of $100 million.
Today the film is widely considered Eastwood’s best endeavor & one of the greatest Westerns ever made.
I saw it at the Tustin Marketplace opening week and while enjoying it, I admit to not initially calling it a “classic.” But my appreciation has grown for the film with multiple viewings over the last 30 years and today feel it should have won more Oscars, mainly Original Screenplay & Cinematography.
The 1992 action-thriller “Under Siege” opened at the Tustin Marketplace 30 years ago today (October 9, 1992).
Starring Steven Seagal, Gary Busey & Tommy Lee Jones, the film opened at number one on over 2,000 screens and held the top spot for four straight weeks, remaining in the top ten through mid-December & finishing the year as the 13th highest-grossing film of ‘92 with a domestic gross just shy of $84 million.
It remains Seagal’s highest-grossing film to date and was a breakout hit for director Andrew Davis who went on to helm the Oscar-winning 1993 big-screen adaptation of “The Fugitive” starring Harrison Ford.
I caught “Under Siege” at the Tustin Marketplace opening week and have always found it to be an enjoyable action flick.