UA 8 Movies

Buena Park Mall,
8700 On the Mall,
Buena Park, CA 90620

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: United Artists Theater Circuit Inc.

Functions: Gymnasium

Previous Names: UA Buena Park, Buena Park 8

Nearby Theaters

Buena Park Mall

Opened on August 17, 1984 by manager Mark Naify, scion of the Lebanese-American family who owned United Artists Theatres from the late-1940’s to the late-1980’s, UA Buena Park was that chain’s Orange County flagship for several years. The lobby interior was bright mauve, pink, and Indian red, and featured electronic mini-marquees. The main auditorium was 70mm-capable and THX-equipped; seating capacities ranged from 595 to 98.

July 4, 1986 UA Buena Park was one of the theatres where Columbia Pictures, “thanking America”, presented a single free performance of “The Karate Kid, Part II”. Well intentioned and clearly advertised on a first-come/first-serve basis, the event nevertheless became problematic when thousands showed up and there were only 500 or so seats available.

Buena Park 8 closed in 1999; later replaced by a Krikorian megaplex.

Contributed by Buena Park Mall

Recent comments (view all 4 comments)

Logan5
Logan5 on October 7, 2014 at 11:06 pm

“The Rocketeer” was presented at the UA Movies in 35mm Dolby Stereo beginning on Friday June 21, 1991.

rivest266
rivest266 on May 24, 2015 at 2:39 pm

August 17th, 1984 grand opening ad in photo section

OCGirl
OCGirl on May 13, 2018 at 10:17 pm

Used to go to this theatre a lot with my friends. Remember seeing “Forest Gump” there.

cardboardroom
cardboardroom on April 27, 2021 at 10:25 pm

“Buena Park 8 closed in 1999; later replaced by a Krikorian megaplex.”

The UA Theater building itself is still there, currently occupied by a 24 Hour Fitness, while the Krikorian was built just to the southwest. The original theater entrance, as well as the geometric sculpture above it, still survives on the building’s eastern side.

They’re largely obscured by the 2000s-era Walmart that now occupies the land that formerly held the May Company/Fedco store and the theater parking lot, but nonetheless still visible from a narrow pedestrian path that runs between 24 Hour Fitness and Walmart. That rest of the former theater building has been updated to a more contemporary style in line with 24 Hour Fitness' brand standards, but for those that know where to look, some of that sweet, sweet kitschy ‘80s glory lives on.

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