Maya Cinemas at Fresno State’s Campus Pointe has permanently closed its doors, with Nevada-based Galaxy Theatres stepping in to take over the location.
Here is the kicker: while the sudden closure caught local moviegoers off guard, the transition happened swiftly behind the scenes through a partnership with property developer Lance Kashian & Co. According to announcements covered by The Business Journal, the shift ensures the prominent campus-adjacent destination will retain its core cinematic anchor without converting the real estate to an alternative use.
The Bottom Line
- The Operator Swap: Nevada-based Galaxy Theatres is taking over operations at the former Maya Cinemas location at Campus Pointe.
- Local Impact: The theater originally opened in 2015 as a key anchor of the Fresno State development.
- Broader Market Shifts: The news arrives alongside separate real estate activity in the region, including the listing of the Regal @ El Paseo property in northwest Fresno for $19.72 million.
A Sudden Exit and a Rapid Handover at Campus Pointe
The unexpected shutdown of Maya Cinemas caught students and local residents by surprise. Operating as one of the original anchors of the Square at Campus Pointe development since 2015, the theater served as a primary gathering space born out of a public-private partnership between developer Lance Kashian & Co. and the California State University system. But change arrived abruptly when operations ceased, leaving questions about ticket honorability and future screenings in the balance.
Fortunately, the downtime for the local movie scene will not be permanent. Galaxy Theatres stepped in immediately to assume control of the site.
Galaxy Theatres Expands Its California Footprint
For Galaxy Theatres, taking over the Fresno State-adjacent multiplex represents a logical expansion for an operator with deep Central Valley roots. Founded in 1998, the company launched its very first developments in Porterville and Tulare. Over the decades, the Nevada-based operator has grown into a regional powerhouse, currently managing 15 movie theaters across the Western United States.
While Maya Cinemas still maintains a handful of other California locations—including Bakersfield, Delano, Pittsburg, and Chino, alongside a North Las Vegas venue—its departure from Campus Pointe and the recent closure of a 20-year-old property in Salinas point to a strategic contraction for the chain.
| Theater Operator | Location Context | Operational Status |
|---|---|---|
| Maya Cinemas | Campus Pointe, Fresno State | Permanently closed; operations ceased unexpectedly |
| Galaxy Theatres | Campus Pointe, Fresno State | Taking over operations with planned guest experience upgrades |
| Regal | The Marketplace at El Paseo, Northwest Fresno | Operating normally, though the property is listed for sale at $19.72 million |
Broader Real Estate Ripples Across the Fresno Cinema Market
The theater shakeup extends beyond the campus area. Across town, northwest Fresno’s Regal @ El Paseo property has hit the market with a hefty price tag. Listed on LoopNet for $19.72 million, the nearly 50,000-square-foot cinema complex continues to run business as usual despite the real estate listing. In fact, leasing metrics indicate it performs exceptionally well, pulling in sales figures that rank significantly above the national average for Regal locations.
With an existing lease running firmly through May 2036, the property listing offers stability to investors while highlighting how commercial cinema real estate continues to trade hands amid changing entertainment landscapes. As Galaxy Theatres preps its new chapter at Campus Pointe, Fresno moviegoers navigate a shifting local exhibition market where trusted venues adapt to new ownership.
What are your thoughts on the sudden change at Campus Pointe? Did you catch films at the old multiplex, and what upgrades are you hoping Galaxy brings to the table? Let us know in the comments below.
