This past weekend marked the twentieth anniversary of the Rancho Niguel 8, in Laguna Niguel. Built with spacious, THX certified, auditoriums and a host of higher end amenities, the theatre was a dramatic departure from Mann’s tradition of more budget conscious multiplexes; this upgrade in quality was likely reflective of Mann Theatres having changed ownership shortly before the Niguel 8 was built (namesake Ted Mann sold the chain to Gulf & Western in 1986). The Rancho Niguel was sold to Edwards Theatres in 1991, but temporarily returned to the Mann fold, following Edwards’ bankruptcy. In an odd twist of fate, the theatre had opened at a time when Mann was still a major player within the exhibition industry, but, by the time the Niguel 8 returned to Mann, the company was a mere shadow of it’s former self.
While no longer “state of the art”, the Rancho Niguel 8 remains relatively unchanged from it’s June 13, 1989 opening and continues to aptly serve the Laguna Niguel market. Currently operated by Regency Theatres, the venue stands as a pristine example of late 80’s cinema and historical marker from Mann Theatres’ evolution.
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