Why Did Kristen Stewart Buy Defunct LA Theatre After Hinting At Leaving US Due To Donald Trump? All About Historic Cinema Place

Last

month, actress Kristen Stewart hinted that she would be moving out of the US in the near future after feeling stifled to make movies under President Donald Trump. The Spencer star, who lives in both Los Angeles and New York with her wife, Dylan Myer, recently revealed that she was putting down roots in the US, nevertheless. Stewart bought the three-storey Highland Theatre in Highland Park, Los Angeles and plans to bring it back to its former glory. Last year, she made her feature film debut with drama The Chronology of Water (2025) starring Imogen Poots. The film was shot in Latvia.

Kristen Stewart buys LA’s historic Highland Theatre

During an interview with Architectural Digest, Stewart confirmed that she had bought the old cinema. While she didn’t reveal the cost of the iconic theatre, Stewart shared that she was fascinated by broken-down old theatres and wanted to see what mysteries they hold.

She further revealed her plans to bring back the theatre to its former glory and embrace its history. She wanted to bring something new not just to the neighbourhood to which it belongs, but also to the entire film community in Los Angeles.

History of Highland Theatre

The Highland Theatre opened on March 2, 1925, with a screening of Lady of the Night, which featured leading lady Norma Shearer in the audience. Designed by Lewis Arthur Smith in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, the cinema stands out due to its rooftop sign, which has 502 incandescent bulbs. Originally a single-screen theatre that seated 1,432, the Highland Theatre was converted to a triplex in the 1980s. The new screens had a capacity of 225, 130, and 110. It shut down for over a year from March 2020 to May 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Highland Theatre was shut down for good on February 29, 2024, just six days before its historic 100th anniversary.

During its centenary, the cinema screened several kinds of films and entertainment. In its early years, it featured vaudeville, and during the 1970s, screened adult films as well. In October 1991, the Highland Theatre was designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #549 by the city. Recently, the theatre was featured in the Marvel series Wonder Man starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley. It will also be seen in the upcoming Netflix movie The Adventures of Cliff Booth, starring Brad Pitt as the New Beverly Cinema.

Kristen Stewart’s upcoming projects

After making her feature directorial debut last year, Stewart returned to acting with the comedy-drama Full Phil with Woody Harrelson and Emma Mackey. She is also supporting her wife, Meyer, in her directorial debut, The Wrong Girls. The stoner comedy is written and produced by Stewart. She also stars in the film alongside Seth Rogen, Alia Shawkat and LaKeith Stanfield.