ACX Cinemas Expansion

[ita]

ACX Cinemas, formerly known as, Main Street Theatres, owner of Aksarben Cinema and ACX in Elkhorn, is in expansion mode. Here is a good article highlighting it's growth in the Midwest.

ACX Cinemas Bucks Trends: Expands to Other States as Theater Chains Struggle Post-Pandemic

Michelle Leach
Bill and Colleen Barstow started what was to become ACX Cinemas with one single-screen theater in Plattsmouth and, in its 35 years, its entertainment venue portfolio has grown to span Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin – with more locations and concepts on the way.

Born out of Aksarben Cinema, the ACX brand pays homage to its premium, large-format (PLF) auditorium in Omaha, according to Executive Vice President Michael Barstow.

The name was also applied to the development of its theater at 204th and Q streets in Elkhorn.

“So, the name ACX Cinema 12+ came to be,” he said. “From there, we decided as a family it was time to re-brand Main Street Theatres as ACX Cinemas after our company had gone through a kind of re-birth in 2020.”

[ChadJK]

Looks like they're up to 7 locations now. I didn't realize they put one in Elkhorn.
https://www.acxcinemas.com/movie-theate ... /locations

[djc311]

Looks like they're up to 7 locations now. I didn't realize they put one in Elkhorn.
https://www.acxcinemas.com/movie-theate ... /locations

The Elkhorn location opened right after covid... I was worried they wouldn't proceed with it as a lot was up in the air back then.

It's the closest theater to our house and by far our favorite. I know it may not have the same super high-end theaters as some of the others in the area, but I like that they're locally owned (based in Omaha). We had my wife's surprise 50th bday party in the back party space last year and it was amazing. They did a great job with food and kept us stocked the entire night. We also like their Detroit pizza and the house fries.

I hope they can continue to keep things going with it - there was mention they'd convert a couple of the theaters (in the Elkhorn location) into large golf sims, but they must have decided against it. I think at least one or two of their other locations in other states have the mini bowling lanes.

I'm hoping as more businesses and homes fill in around the Elkhorn location that they continue getting busier.

[nebugeater]

Looks like they're up to 7 locations now. I didn't realize they put one in Elkhorn.
https://www.acxcinemas.com/movie-theate ... /locations

The Elkhorn location opened right after covid... I was worried they wouldn't proceed with it as a lot was up in the air back then.

It's the closest theater to our house and by far our favorite. I know it may not have the same super high-end theaters as some of the others in the area, but I like that they're locally owned (based in Omaha). We had my wife's surprise 50th bday party in the back party space last year and it was amazing. They did a great job with food and kept us stocked the entire night. We also like their Detroit pizza and the house fries.

I hope they can continue to keep things going with it - there was mention they'd convert a couple of the theaters (in the Elkhorn location) into large golf sims, but they must have decided against it. I think at least one or two of their other locations in other states have the mini bowling lanes.

I'm hoping as more businesses and homes fill in around the Elkhorn location that they continue getting busier.

We eat at the Backlot Pizza and Kitchen more often than we see a show. Always have good food and service and a reasonable price. They always seem to be pretty busy, too.

The theater experience is fine, too. For the few movies we go to in a theater, we split between here and the Alamo Draft House.

[Brad]

Looks like they're up to 7 locations now. I didn't realize they put one in Elkhorn.
https://www.acxcinemas.com/movie-theate ... /locations

I gave a presentation there a couple years ago for MOBA. It was cool to see my Grow Omaha Construction update played on such a huge screen. I believe the manager told me the largest theater in the building is built to IMAX standards, but isn't an actual IMAX theater

Side note, when you see Jeff Beals standing in front of an Omaha Skyline photo before and after some of the Grow Omaha YouTube videos, that was filmed in the ACX Elkhorn location with my skyline photo displayed up on the screen in the background.

Great theater, great owners.

[ChadJK]

I didn't realize they put one in Elkhorn.

The Elkhorn location opened right after covid... I was worried they wouldn't proceed with it as a lot was up in the air back then.

I confused myself. I was aware of the one at 204th & Harrison, but that doesn't really register with me as Elkhorn. I was thinking they built one in Elkhorn north of Dodge, but apparently not.

[djc311]

I didn't realize they put one in Elkhorn.

The Elkhorn location opened right after covid... I was worried they wouldn't proceed with it as a lot was up in the air back then.

I confused myself. I was aware of the one at 204th & Harrison, but that doesn't really register with me as Elkhorn. I was thinking they built one in Elkhorn north of Dodge, but apparently not.

Ah, got it! I figured you may have been aware of it... I would be shocked if they (anyone) opened another theater in NW Omaha, but you never know.

Honestly, I'm surprised we have as many movie theaters as we do. Personally, I don't feel like they get busy like they did back in the Indian HIlls, OakView 24, Westroads heyday. I remember standing in line to see a Star Wars movie (pre online ticket buying)... I'm guessing the convenience of being able to reserve seats in advance has simply removed the element of having to wait in lines and makes it "appear" to not be as busy.

We just saw the new Megan movie at ACX Elkhorn. I bet F1 would look good on their biggest screen (it definitely sounded good!) Tuesdays are A LOT less expensive, so we often go then. Thankfully my kids are old enough they don't feel it's a requirement to see the new movie the day it's released!

[nebugeater]

One thing I remember being promoted a lot when the ACX 12 was being built was the outdoor screen where movies and special screenings would be shown. It was built and can be seen from the highway, as well as near the theater. To the best of my knowledge, it has never been used.

[djc311]

One thing I remember being promoted a lot when the ACX 12 was being built was the outdoor screen where movies and special screenings would be shown. It was built and can be seen from the highway, as well as near the theater. To the best of my knowledge, it has never been used.

We had access to that patio during our birthday party, but they weren't playing any video on the screen. They did have the firepit running which was nice.

I'm not sure they've ever used it.

[GenX]

Has anyone else noticed that the / in their X is an ear of corn? It's not as clear on their website, but you can see it in the logo of the Elkhorn location.

[Greg S]

The landlord of the ACX Theater in Sioux City has locked the doors claiming ACX has not paid rent:

https://www.ktiv.com/2025/10/02/acx-pro ... ted-lease/

[djc311]

The landlord of the ACX Theater in Sioux City has locked the doors claiming ACX has not paid rent:

https://www.ktiv.com/2025/10/02/acx-pro ... ted-lease/

Well that's sad - I like their theaters and they're based here in Omaha. Hopefully they get that resolved.