Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas on Monday announced it will open the first multiplex in Jeddah at Red Sea Mall by December.

The announcement by Dubai-based company marks a major milestone for it as it begins to deliver on its goal of bringing entertainment to cities across the Kingdom.

It is the latest step in VOX Cinemas’ SR2 billion investment plan that will see 600 screens open in the Kingdom over the next five years, a statement said.

The company said Red Sea Mall was selected owing to its status as the most popular shopping destination in the Western Region. The mall has 145,000 sq. meters of gross leasable area (GLA), which are projected to hit 18.5 million visitors by the end of 2018.

The cinema will feature 12 screens including three GOLD by Rhodes, the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia.

GOLD by Rhodes is a unique dining concept in partnership with Michelin-starred chef Gary Rhodes with a menu that offers a variety of classic cinema snacks with a fine-dining twist.

Saudi cinema guests can order gourmet meals directly to their reclining seats while enjoying movies.

VOX Cinemas will also be opening an IMAX theater at the Red Sea mall featuring the largest IMAX screen in Saudi Arabia.

VOX Cinemas CEO Cameron Mitchell said: “We know that the appetite for world-class movie experiences extends across the country and therefore we’re delighted to announce this latest extension of VOX Cinemas’ footprint into Jeddah.

“This is still just the beginning of the story and we look forward to further exciting announcements in the weeks and months ahead that will deliver unique movie-going experiences to adults and children across the Kingdom.” Aidrous Al Bar, managing director of Red Sea Markets Co. said: “We’re eagerly awaiting the opening of VOX Cinemas in Red Sea Mall. Our aspiration is to provide Jeddah residents and visitors with the most comprehensive retail and entertainment option and the arrival of VOX Cinemas at Red Sea Mall is a major step toward achieving that goal.”