Culture & Education | Wednesday 4 July, 2018 3:30 pm |

Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia has announced its second multiplex in Saudi Arabia in the Riyadh Front (or Wajehat Al-Riyadh) lifestyle development. The new multiplex, set to open in early 2019, will be the largest in Saudi Arabia, and will join an exciting offering of dining, luxury, lifestyle and fashion at Riyadh Front. 

The project is located on King Khaled Airport Road, offering 450,000 square meters. Considered to be the first of its kind in the Kingdom, the project is designed to be a luxury oasis of indoor and outdoor shopping, entertainment and offices with elegant water features and landscaping. 

CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas, Cameron Mitchell said: “This second location for VOX Cinemas and Magic Planet in Riyadh will be a flagship, as we continue to roll out our ambitious expansion plan for the Kingdom. We can’t wait to bring more unique Majid Al Futtaim entertainment concepts to movie goers in Saudi Arabia, as the feedback from our first multiplex and Magic Planet has been nothing short of exceptional.” 

He continued: “We are very excited to partner with Riyadh Front to deliver a world-class cinema and entertainment offering to complement the mall’s unique and innovative design. We appreciate the continuous support that we have received from the Saudi Government, the Ministry of Culture and Information and the General Commission for Audio-visual Media. 
We look forward to working closely with the government to further contribute to the historic changes being brought about through the implementation of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” added Mr. Mitchell.”

The Riyadh Front multiplex brings more of VOX Cinemas’ signature experiences to the Kingdom including the mega-screen MAX, KIDS and luxury cinema concept THEATRE by Rhodes. Dubbed as VOX Cinemas’ mega-screen experience, the MAX concept provides audiences with extraordinary sensory entertainment thanks to state-of-the-art technology that includes Dolby Atmos surround sound and dual projector systems that deliver ultra-realistic, 100% digital imagery. Spacious MAX seating options also provide guests with an extra layer of comfort when watching the biggest blockbusters. 
Dedicated to VOX Cinemas’ youngest customers, the KIDS screens will show a range of family-friendly films and animated content that guests can enjoy from their colourful seats. Complete with an adjoining party room, guests will be able to book KIDS screens for private birthday parties and events.

Movie goers in the Kingdom will soon have the option of enjoying their favourite blockbusters while dining on an exclusive menu created by Michelin-starred chef Gary Rhodes. The first of its kind in the region, THEATRE by Rhodes brings unrivalled indulgence to the new VOX Cinemas multiplex by delivering a combination of fine food and the latest films. THEATRE by Rhodes sets a new standard for “dinner and a movie”. The concept allows luxury lovers to enjoy lavish lounge areas, dedicated in-theatre waiter service, comfortable leather chairs with blankets, pillows and made-to-order gourmet food.

Majid Al Futtaim previously announced its plans to invest a total of SAR 16 billion across its portfolio of shopping malls, fashion, leisure and retail projects in the Kingdom. This commitment is expected to create more than 117,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, as the VOX Cinemas investment alone will see the company open 600 screens in the next five years in Saudi Arabia.  

As recipient of the Global Achievement in Exhibition Award at CinemaCon 2017 and with 35 cinema complexes in eight countries in the MENA region, VOX Cinemas is already well-known to Saudi movie fans, given the company opened the Kingdom’s first multiplex cinema in May this year.