South Africa’s cinema landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation as Ster-Kinekor relinquishes several of its prime locations, with rival Nu Metro eagerly stepping into the spotlight.
Ster-Kinekor has exited its flagship site at Durban’s Gateway Theatre of Shopping, a move that marks another chapter in the company’s ongoing restructuring efforts.
Nu Metro reopened the cinema on 3 October, symbolising a notable power shift within the country’s movie industry.
This handover comes after years of turbulence for South Africa’s two biggest cinema chains.
Both have battled declining attendance, pandemic aftershocks, and evolving entertainment habits, leading to the closure of about a third of the nation’s movie theatres over the past decade.
According to MyBroadband, Ster-Kinekor had 55 multiplexes and 400 screens in 2015 and now only 34 remain. Nu Metro, meanwhile, went from 21 cineplexes in 2015 to 17 in 2025, a net loss of four sites, or about 20% of its locations.
After exiting business rescue two years ago, Ster-Kinekor tried to stabilise operations, even as it announced waves of retrenchments and theatre closures – such as its Cavendish Square site earlier this year.
Despite the tough climate, Ster-Kinekor’s leadership remains optimistic.
Chief Executive Mark Sardi noted that cinema admissions had risen 20% annually between November and April. He credited this growth to improved movie quality and a robust 2025 release line-up.
‘Hollywood’s got its act together,’ Sardi said, adding that recent blockbusters such as Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and the live-action Lilo & Stitch drew strong crowds. ‘When the quality is there, the people come.’
Sardi highlighted that Imax screenings have played a significant role in drawing audiences back to the big screen.
‘We’ve got a very sophisticated consumer out there who wants to see good movies in an environment that is compelling,’ he said. Sixteen Imax movies are being released this year, double the usual number, further fuelling renewed interest.
Even with the resurgence, Sardi acknowledged that success depends heavily on Hollywood’s release schedule.
The strongest box office months, November to January and June to August, coincide with holiday seasons. The challenge, he explained, is managing the quieter months when fewer blockbusters hit theatres.
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