FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The name on the marquee will be changing, but moviegoers in northwest Fresno will still have a place to catch the latest blockbuster.
Maya Cinemas abruptly closed its Campus Pointe location over the weekend, making way for Galaxy Theatres to take over operations at the Fresno theater.
Galaxy hopes to reopen the location Sept. 18, with ticket prices remaining the same for now. The company also says Maya tickets will be honored through the end of the year.
The quick transition comes as the movie theater industry continues to evolve, but one industry expert says the closure should not be viewed as a sign that theaters are disappearing.
“This is a great example of maybe one restaurant closing and another one opening up,” said Daniel Loria with Boxoffice Pro.
It’s not a sign of the times that an industry sector is struggling. It’s more on a business-by-business basis.
Loria said moviegoers are still turning out in significant numbers. He expects 2026 to be the first year this decade that the domestic box office surpasses $10 billion.
While audiences continue going to the movies, what they expect from the experience is changing.
Galaxy Theatres says it is looking at upgrades that could come to the Fresno location as early as 2027, including powered recliners, digital laser projection and expanded food and beverage options.
AJ Witherspoon with Galaxy Theatres said those improvements are part of a broader effort to give audiences a reason to leave their homes and visit the theater.
The company is also welcoming former Maya employees to apply for positions at the theater. Galaxy says many former employees are already signing on.
Maya’s presence in Fresno extended beyond movies and concessions. The company has supported local schools, community events and other community initiatives.
As Galaxy takes over the Campus Pointe location, FOX26 asked the company what will happen to those commitments.
FOX26 ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTION:As Galaxy takes over the Campus Pointe location, which of Maya’s Fresno community commitments, if any, will Galaxy continue or replace — and when can the public expect specific details about Galaxy’s local community-investment plans?
Witherspoon said community involvement will remain important as Galaxy establishes itself in Fresno.
“Community involvement has always been an integral part of who we are at Galaxy Theatres,” Witherspoon said. “And as we get to know the Fresno community, we’ll be evaluating opportunities in the local partnerships where we think we can make a meaningful impact.”
The company has not yet provided specific details about which existing Maya partnerships or community programs it may continue.
For Loria, the change at Campus Pointe is less about the decline of movie theaters and more about how theater operators are adapting to changing consumer expectations.
“I wouldn’t focus too much on closures,” Loria said. “Think of it in terms of renovations. How is the theater that you have in your local community going to change in the next five years to make sure you go there once or twice more each year?”
For Fresno moviegoers, that means the theater experience at Campus Pointe is not going away. Instead, the operator, and eventually, the experience inside, is changing.