IMAX, AMC boost partnership with six new locations

Saudi Arabia was a top 10 global market for IMAX in terms of box office last year, with a per screen average of more than $1 million annually.
Short Url
Updated 20 November 2022
Follow

IMAX, AMC boost partnership with six new locations

IMAX Corp. and Saudi Cinema Co., operating as AMC Cinemas, have announced plans to further expand their longstanding partnership with an agreement for six new state-of-the-art IMAX with Laser systems in key entertainment complexes throughout the country. IMAX and AMC Cinemas already have three locations in operation in Saudi Arabia, and the new deal will grow their partnership to a planned 18 screens in 12 cities across the country.
“IMAX continues to be a remarkably strong draw in bringing audiences back to theaters around the world, and we’re excited to offer AMC guests in Saudi Arabia even greater access to the best of the theatrical experience,” said Andrew Such, interim CEO of AMC Cinemas. “AMC is focused on bringing the best in entertainment technology to its many movie lovers around the world.”
“The resilience of moviegoing in Saudi Arabia has been one of the most prominent global success stories for cinemas over the past two years, and a key indicator of the pent-up demand for blockbuster filmmaking,” said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. “We’re excited to grow our successful, global partnership with AMC and further strengthen our ability to deliver The IMAX Experience to fans in this fast-growing market.”

HIGHLIGHT

IMAX and AMC Cinemas already have three locations in operation in Saudi Arabia, and the new deal will grow their partnership to a planned 18 screens in 12 cities across the country.

Saudi Arabia continues to drive strong box office growth and capture a greater share of the global market, growing to nearly $240 million in 2021. Saudi Arabia was a top 10 global market for IMAX in terms of box office last year, with a per screen average of more than $1 million annually. The company grew its footprint of open theaters from two to seven since the beginning of 2020, and its Saudi network routinely captures more than 15 percent of opening box office on major Hollywood releases, despite accounting for less than 6 percent of overall screens in the market.
Saudi Cinema Co., operating as AMC Cinemas is a joint venture between AMC Entertainment Holdings, the world’s largest movie exhibition company, and Saudi Entertainment Ventures, known as SEVEN, a leading national investor, developer, and operator of the Kingdom’s diverse entertainment eco-system. In this partnership, SEVEN and AMC aim to open 50 cinemas, offering 500 screens across the Kingdom.
SEVEN was established by the Public Investment Fund to serve as the investment and development arm for the entertainment sector — a key pillar of the ambitious social and economic plans undertaken in the Kingdom supporting Vision 2030.

 


Dhahran Mall celebrates community through Sharqiyah International Race, launches Al-Tajdeed initiative

Updated 20 December 2025
Follow

Dhahran Mall celebrates community through Sharqiyah International Race, launches Al-Tajdeed initiative

For nearly two decades, Dhahran Mall has served as a gathering place where families create memories, communities come together, and generations celebrate life’s milestones in the Eastern Province. This commitment to community was reaffirmed this past weekend as Dhahran Mall served as the golden sponsor of the 27th Sharqiyah International Race, continuing the community engagement that has always defined the mall’s identity.

Held along Alkhobar Corniche on Dec. 13, under the patronage of Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Nayef, the race brought together approximately 10,000 participants from across the Kingdom and beyond. In the days leading up to the event, Dhahran Mall hosted the official race kit distribution, welcoming an average of 2,000 runners daily over three days.

Demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity, Dhahran Mall partnered with Swaed Association for Physical Disability in the Eastern Province for a meaningful activation on Dec. 11. The event invited community members to experience wheelchair mobility firsthand, developing empathy and understanding. Persons with disabilities participated in a symbolic race from Gate 1 to Gate 3, joined by one of Saudi Arabia’s handball champions, reinforcing the message that sports and wellness unite everyone. Participants shared powerful reflections on accessibility and the importance of physical activity for all community members.

These initiatives embody what Dhahran Mall has always stood for: creating moments that resonate beyond the transaction, developing connections that endure, and serving as a cornerstone where every member of the community is welcomed and celebrated. Through programs that champion inclusivity, health, and social well-being, Dhahran Mall continues to demonstrate that meaningful engagement and authentic relationships are at the heart of everything it does.

Al-Tajdeed: Elevating guests’ experiences

This spirit of renewal and recommitment extends to Al-Tajdeed, Dhahran Mall’s comprehensive refresh initiative that began in December and will continue throughout 2026. Al-Tajdeed, meaning “renewal” in Arabic, honors the mall’s legacy while preparing for its future. This initiative will enhance guest experiences, elevate the aesthetic environment, and reinforce Dhahran Mall’s role as the Eastern Province’s premier destination for meaningful retail and lifestyle experiences. Looking ahead, the planned Dhahran Boulevard expansion will further enrich the mixed-use environment, creating new dimensions of hospitality, community, and connection.

“At Dhahran Mall, we believe that true success is measured in the memories we help create and the communities we serve,” said Majed Algothmi, acting CEO. “Our sponsorship of the Sharqiyah International Race and our partnership with Swaed Association reflect our unwavering commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. For nearly 20 years, families from all walks of life have trusted us with their celebrations, their everyday moments, and their special occasions. Al-Tajdeed is our promise to honor that trust by renewing our spaces while staying true to the values that have made Dhahran Mall a beloved institution in the Eastern Province.”

Since opening its doors in 2005, Dhahran Mall has been woven into the fabric of the Eastern Province. It has witnessed first steps in its corridors, celebrated countless Eid celebrations, hosted family traditions, and served as a backdrop for the everyday moments that define a community. Al-Tajdeed honors this rich legacy, built on genuine relationships and meaningful connections that span generations.

Dhahran Mall’s enduring strength lies in authentic connection. It’s the warmth of familiar spaces, the trust built over the years, and the understanding that a mall’s true value lives in how deeply it integrates into the lives of the people it serves. As the Eastern Province continues to grow and transform, Dhahran Mall remains committed to being the destination where community comes first, where memories are made, and where every visit feels like coming home.