MJR Theatres was created in 1980 by Mike Mihalich with the acquisition of Main Theatre (sold in 1997 and now known as the Main Art Theatre) in Royal Oak, Michigan. The name MJR was taken from their original slogan Movies Just Right. During the 1980s and 1990s, the company purchased several theaters and drive-ins in Michigan. Following their acquisitions, the company started building their own multiplex cinemas, with the first opening in Adrian, Michigan in 1990. In order to finance the new cinemas, MJR sold some of its existing theaters and drive-ins.
During the 1990s, Luna Enterprises purchased an interest in the chain.
In 2014, MJR introduced a premium large format (PLF) known as "The Epic Experience", which uses a 65-foot screen and Dolby Atmos sound.[2]
In 2019, the chain was acquired for $152.25 million by the Belgium-based Kinepolis, This marked the Belgium-based chain's entrance into the U.S. market, after having entered the Canadian market via Landmark Cinemas.[3]
After the acquisition, MJR began to deploy the Kinepolis "Laser Ultra" PLF (with renovated auditoriums adding reclining seats) in 2022,[4] and became part of Kinepolis's existing partnerships with CJ CGV and IMAX Corporation, including opening a new IMAX with Laser auditorium with reclining seats at the Southgate location in 2023,[5][6] and Michigan's first ScreenX auditorium at its Waterford location in June 2024.[7]
