Universal CityWalk added new security checkpoints on Wednesday, and fans trying to reach one of Los Angeles' most sought-after movie screens are already reporting problems.
Guests at the Universal Studios Hollywood destination must now pass through one of three metal detection hubs before entering CityWalk or the theme park, according to The Wrap. The measures follow similar protocols already in place at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and at Universal's larger Orlando park.
"As the Universal Studios Hollywood destination continues to evolve, we are aligning our security protocols with other Universal destinations across the country by adding metal detection hubs adjacent to the parking structures," a Universal Studios Hollywood spokesperson told KTLA.
The checkpoints have drawn complaints specifically because CityWalk is home to the Universal Cinema AMC, one of the only true IMAX theaters in Los Angeles and one of only five theaters in Southern California capable of projecting films in IMAX 70mm. That distinction makes it one of the primary venues for Christopher Nolan's upcoming film The Odyssey, the first movie ever shot entirely on IMAX 70mm. The film is scheduled for a July 2026 release, and an early wave of tickets sold out in minutes despite going on sale a full year in advance. A second wave of tickets that went on sale in early June caused Taylor Swift-like wait times on the AMC app and website.
X user Griffin Davis was among the first to report experiencing the delays firsthand.
"It's awful," Davis wrote. "Everyone is late to their screening now and you have to walk 3x longer thru parking lots w/ unclear signs."
Other social media users raised concerns before even attempting the new process. X user Will Landman questioned whether other theme parks with similar security face the same problem.
"I know other theme parks have this but do other theme parks have one of two of the only true IMAX theaters in their city? Because that's what AMC Citywalk has and from what I've heard this is already adding time to people's trip to the theater and friends have told me they rather just got to the Chinese Theater then deal with this," Landman wrote.
Film critic and journalist Courtney Howard pointed out that CityWalk also hosts press, industry, and media screenings, meaning the new measures could complicate the schedules of journalists and publicists trying to fit screenings into a workday.
"Ain't nobody got extra time to devote to unnecessary shenanigans," Howard said. "This is absolutely ridiculous for those of us who need to make scheduled film screenings."
At present, there is no separate entry process for AMC moviegoers versus visitors to the theme park or the rest of the shopping complex.
