Business

Ster-Kinekor Shuts Down Major Mall Cinemas as Nu Metro Expands

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2 hours ago

November 10, 2025

Chiraag

Ster-Kinekor cinema closures, Nu Metro expansion, South African movie theatres, Gateway Mall cinema, Cavendish Square cinema, Bedford Square theatre, film industry recovery, Joburg ETC

A Shifting Cinema Scene in South Africa

The big-screen experience that once defined weekend outings for many South Africans is quietly changing. Ster-Kinekor, the country’s oldest and largest cinema chain, has confirmed the closure of several of its flagship cineplexes across major malls, including Durban’s Gateway Theatre of Shopping, a location once regarded as its crown jewel.

The Gateway site has already been revived under Nu Metro, which officially reopened the theatre on 3 October 2025. Similar transitions have taken place at Cavendish Square in Cape Town and Bedford Square in Johannesburg, with Nu Metro quickly claiming the spaces left behind.

While Ster-Kinekor says it has tried to minimise job losses, the pattern of closures shows that the industry is still struggling to find its footing after years of disruption.

A Decade of Decline

The numbers tell a sobering story. In 2015, South Africa had 76 major cinema complexes shared between Ster-Kinekor and Nu Metro. By late 2025, that number had fallen to 51, marking a 33% decline in a decade.

Ster-Kinekor alone has gone from 55 locations to 34, losing almost 40% of its footprint. Nu Metro hasn’t escaped unscathed either, shrinking from 21 sites to 17. Across the continent, Ster-Kinekor’s African operations have also thinned out, now limited to two cinemas in Namibia and one in Zambia.

The slide reflects a wider global trend: audiences’ shifting habits, the rise of streaming, and the lasting aftershocks of the pandemic.

Fighting for the Comeback

Despite the losses, Ster-Kinekor insists the show is far from over. The company, which emerged from business rescue two years ago, has been working to rebuild trust with local moviegoers.

In 2024, it launched Throwback Cinema, a nostalgic R50 ticket campaign screening fan-favourite classics like Titanic and The Dark Knight to rekindle the joy of cinema. The response has been stronger than expected.

CEO Mark Sardi revealed earlier this year that cinema admissions have grown 20% year-on-year between November and April. The turnaround, he said, is driven by a resurgence in blockbuster quality.

“Hollywood’s got its act together,” Sardi explained, citing titles like Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and the live-action Lilo & Stitch, which drew record audiences despite being released outside the usual peak season.

The Imax Effect

Sardi credits much of the growth to Imax screenings, which, though limited in number, account for a disproportionate share of bookings. Sixteen Imax films are being released this year, double the usual amount, and that format’s immersive pull is helping lure South Africans back into theatres.

“We’ve got a sophisticated audience who wants quality experiences,” Sardi said. “When the films deliver, people show up.”

Still, challenges remain. The cinema business is tied closely to Hollywood’s release calendar, meaning strong local attendance depends on international studio schedules. The quieter months between blockbuster seasons continue to test Ster-Kinekor’s ability to stay profitable.

The Future of the Big Screen

Even with fewer sites, Ster-Kinekor’s renewed push for better-quality content and audience engagement may mark the beginning of a new chapter. Yet it’s impossible to ignore what’s being lost: the familiar glow of the projector light in neighbourhood malls that once buzzed with families, couples, and popcorn queues.

Nu Metro’s swift expansion into former Ster-Kinekor spaces hints at a competitive race for survival, not dominance. Both cinema chains are betting that South Africans still crave that shared, cinematic escape, even as streaming wars intensify at home.

For now, one thing is clear: the movie theatre in South Africa is evolving, not ending. The curtain may have fallen on some locations, but the story isn’t over just yet.