Seven new MUVI cinema projects on the way in Saudi Arabia

The extraordinary expansion of cinema in Saudi Arabia since the ban on cinemas was lifted in 2018 is continuing, despite the pandemic, with seven new Chapman Taylor-designed and delivered Muvi cinema locations now under construction.

Muvi Nakheel Plaza, Buraydah

This will be a six-screen cinema complex capable of accommodating 831 moviegoers at Nakheel Plaza, Buraydah (the largest city in Al-Qassim province). The offer includes an Xperience screen, providing the ultimate big screen experience for movie lovers. The cinema will be the first in the province when it opens to the public in April 2021.

Muvi Tala Mall, Riyadh

Located at Tala Mall on King Abdul Aziz Road, Riyadh, this will be the first boutique cinema in Saudi Arabia. The compact cinema will offer four screens, accommodating 383 people. The new cinema will be open by May 2021.

Muvi Salaam Mall, Riyadh

This 3,274m² complex, in the Alawali area on the outskirts of Riyadh, will offer eight standard screens and 1,056 seats.

Muvi Atelier La Vie, Jeddah

For this ultra-VIP, 204-seat cinema, we have developed a new concept design to add diversity to the Muvi offering in Jeddah, where there are three existing Muvi locations. The four-screen venue offers a lounge style, with luxury seating and an outdoor F&B area, creating a 5-Star feel for moviegoers seeking Saudi Arabia’s most luxurious cinema experience.

Muvi Khaleej Mall, Riyadh

This will be a 3,269m² addition to the Muvi Cinemas portfolio in Riyadh, where there are three existing Muvi locations and three others under construction. The venue will offer nine standard screens, catering for up to 975 visitors.

Muvi Mega City Walk, Taif

The first Muvi Cinemas venue in the city of Taif, this 4,196m² development will offer 882 seats and ten standard cinemas.

Muvi Cinemas, Onaizah

This dedicated cinema building is located on Onaizah, in Al-Qassim Province. The complex is capable of accommodating 1,287 people across eight theatres. The cinema will be open to moviegoers in late 2021.

In 2019, Chapman Taylor was engaged to design and deliver a series of state-of-the art cinemas for the Muvi Cinemas brand, the first Saudi-owned cinema chain. The first opened in August 2019 at The Mall of Arabia, which, at that time, was the largest cinema in KSA. Several more are now open, including at Mall of Dhahran (currently the largest cinema in the country by seat count) while several more are under construction, several to complete this year and more to open subsequently.

The designs for the cutting-edge cinema complexes have a theme of urban downtown, with the intention of creating a dynamic, modern and innovative cinema experience. Internal spaces are characterised by an industrial, yet luxurious, material palette, including timber, exposed steelwork, exposed brickwork and an exposed concrete floor. Digital LED screens and dramatic lighting installations complement the city warehouse feel, providing a strong visual identity for the developments.

Working for, and with, leading industry names, Chapman Taylor has decades of experience in creating state-of-the-art cinema environments which enhance moviegoers’ experience and maximise value and impact for the cinema developers. We strive to design the best cinematic experience available, combining state-of-the-art technology with simplified functionality to create maximum value for both clients and cinema-goers. This is why many of the best-known names in cinema choose to work with us again and again.