Cinemas are facing challenging times
發佈日期: 2025-05-16 20:01
TVB News
The Grand Kornhill Cinema in Quarry Bay will shut down at the end of the month, and there's been other cinema closures in recent years.
Some residents said they were losing interest in watching films in theatres.
Some movie industry insiders said the sector is facing many challenges, and the government should roll out more discounts to encourage people to go to the cinemas.
On Cinema Day last Saturday, movie enthusiasts only had to pay 30 dollars to watch a movie in this theatre in Mongkok, down from about 100 dollars on normal days.
This cinema in Cheung Sha Wan is known for selling cheap tickets.
Some screenings in the afternoon were only half full.
This moviegoer said he came to this cinema because the tickets were cheaper.
But this lady said sometimes she would rather watch movies at home, when the tickets are expensive or she is too busy to go out.
This man said theatres can be crowded, he feels its unhygienic.
The MCL cinema chain announced this week that the Grand Kornhill Cinema in Quarry Bay will close on the 28th of this month.
This is at least the fourth cinema to cease operation this year, following the closure of Newport Threatre in Mong Kok, Golden Harvest in Whampoa, and Sunbeam Threatre in North Point.
Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers spokesman Tin Kai-man said there are multiple factors that have led to the cinema closures.
Besides shrinking audiences, he believes the attractiveness of the movies and the rents for cinemas also factor.
He said the movie industry in Hong Kong faces the threat of streaming platforms as many people prefer to watch films at home.
He suggested more Cinema Days in the future in a bid to attract more people to go into the cinemas.
