University Town Center
4245 Campus Drive,
Irvine,
CA
92612
4245 Campus Drive,
Irvine,
CA
92612
3 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Regal Entertainment Group (Official)
Additional Info
Operated by: Regal Entertainment Group
Previously operated by: Edwards Cinemas
Firms: BB Architects
Functions: Movies (Foreign), Movies (Independent)
Previous Names: Edwards University Town Center 6
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
949.854.8818
Nearby Theaters
The Edwards University Town Center opened on June 29, 1984 with one of the big hits of the summer, “Ghostbusters". In the years since it has evolved from the mainstream into an art house playing foreign, independent and limited release films. It location directly across the street from the University of California, Irvine and surrounding housing gives it built-in audience, although they also attract from other areas of Orange County. The auditoriums, which are non-stadium and very roomy, have a nice slope, which makes viewing very enjoyable,
The University 6 and Edwards Westpark 8 in Irvine, which screens the same type of films have a very loyal following. Sometimes at the University 6 the more popular films, such as “Black Swan", will play on three screens.
Contributed by
Ron Pierce
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
Thanks Ron,not a lot of 6 plexes left.
Grand opening ad posted.
The Uni, as locals called it, was Irvine’s second movie theater and opened four years after the Woodbridge 5.
Even though it was at the far end of town, it didn’t stop my Irvine High School buddies and I from coaxing our parents to drop us off on a Friday or Saturday night for such flicks as “Commando,” “Predator” & U2’s “Rattle & Hum.”
I even recall taking my one and only bus ride there in the summer of ‘87 to see “Dragnet” with Dan Aykroyd & Tom Hanks. Other memorable '80s films included “Die Hard,” “Big” Lethal Weapon 2" & “Christmas Vacation.”
Came back in the ‘90s for “Misery,” “Ed Wood,” “Speed” & “Pulp Fiction” (with a full crowd opening weekend).
The Uni later became a popular indie art house in the Regal chain and was soon booking OC exclusives. Unfortunately, the theater has an absolutely terrible parking lot they share with a Trader Joe’s, Target and every other retailer & business office in the center. Most close-by parking is 45 minutes or less & I can’t tell you how many movies I’ve given up on seeing because I couldn’t find a parking space. By far, the worst parking lot of all of Regal’s OC locations.
Exclusives should be at the nearby Westpark, which has its own sprawling, dedicated parking lot.
Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning “Greed is Good” drama “Wall Street” opened at the Uni 35 years ago today (Dec. 11, 1987).
I went from the Edwards Woodbridge 5 as General Manager to the Edwards University 6 when it opened in June of 1984. Of course we opened with Ghostbusters. Also one of Me Edwards favorite movies was Blazing Saddles. We played that on opening weekend. Mr Edwards had a 35 MM Projector at his home online island. He brought in his own 35Mm print of Blazing Saddles!
In that picture of Edwards University posted on this website in front of the box office there is a planter. Mr Edwards loved fountains. When I opened the theater in 1984 we had a beautiful fountains where that planter is in the picture
The Regal UTC location is a hidden gem of a theater, especially after the complete overhaul a few years ago. It’s one of two Regals in south OC that has recliners in every auditorium at no surcharge (the other being Kaleidoscope Mission Viejo). This location also accepts Apple Pay at the self-service ticketing kiosks, something I haven’t seen at any other Regal I’ve visited.
This location doesn’t seem to do a lot of business though considering some notable drawbacks, including the parking situation. All the spots in the UTC parking lot are time-restricted to prevent UCI students from parking there and going to class. The spots near the theater are timed for two hours, which seems like not enough for a moviegoing experience. I’m not sure how strictly they enforce this limit since I always park at the UCI garages instead. There’s also the fact that this is the smallest Regal location in the county with only six screens, significantly limiting the selection compared to nearby theaters like Regal Irvine Spectrum (21 screens) or AMC Tustin (14 screens).
Still, though, it’s a great place to watch a movie for those not hindered by the aforementioned flaws.