Vue International To Open 30 Multiplexes In Saudi Arabia After Striking Deal With Abdulmohsin Al Hokair Holding

Vue International To Open 30 Multiplexes In Saudi Arabia After Striking Deal With Abdulmohsin Al Hokair Holding

Vue International is to open 30 cinemas in Saudi Arabia after striking a landmark deal with real estate group Abdulmohsin Al Hokair Holding, as exclusively revealed by Deadline in November.

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The move by the cinema chain comes after more than 30 years of no public screens. It will work with Abdulmohsin Al Hokair, which operates a number of shopping malls and hotel resorts in the country. It would dramatically increase the number of sites that Vue operates – it currently has 212 sites in 10 countries.

The idea was mooted earlier this year by Ahmed Al-Khatib, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, and was a main focus of the Future Investment Initiative conference held in Riyadh late last month, which was organized under the aegis of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al-Saud and attended by Tim Richards, founder of Vue International.

Richards told Deadline in November it was a very interesting opportunity. “They have some incredible plans in place and we would very much like to be a part of that going forward,” he said.

“This is a huge moment in the history of global cinema development for the exhibition industry and we are honoured to be partnering with such a well regarded and prestigious operator,” Richards said in a statement this morning. “We are delighted to have been chosen to lead in the development of world-class cinemas and the big screen experience in Saudi Arabia,” he added.

“We are delighted to be working with Vue International and leading the development of Saudi Arabia’s world-leading cinema industry together,” said Majed Al Hokair, CEO Al Hokair Holding Group.

The move is being led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al-Saud, who is seen as a progressive — a royal decree this year granted women the right to drive — and a move to bring back the cinemas falls within the Vision 2030 program which targets cultural reforms.