A cinema to yourself: book private screens in the UAE to watch movies at a safe social distance

New releases will be shown in private screenings at participating Novo cinemas, once theatres reopen

Book an entire UAE cinema screen to yourself from Dh1,499 with Novo Cinemas. Getty Images

Entertainment in 2020 has, without a doubt, changed. This time last year, we were gathering in theatres, cinemas and concert halls, and now, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, people are restricting their time outside and, by and large, staying home.

However, people are still seeking ways to be entertained outside of their homes, safely.

In the past week, a drive-in cinema opened at Dubai's Mall of the Emirates and it was announced that a second will open in Sharjah this summer. However, pulling up to the cinema in four wheels is not the only way to get a socially distant movie fix in the UAE.

Novo Cinemas has announced that film fans will be able to hire a entire screen to watch their choice of movie in private.

The vouchers are available to buy now, and will be valid to use for 12 months from the date that cinemas are opened by the UAE government.

Starting at Dh1,499 for a standard Novo Cinemas screen, you can book the private theatre to watch your choice of the movies being shown at the time of booking. Customers booking a private screen will enjoy a 10 per cent discount on food and drinks orders.

Novo Cinemas does not specify a cap on the number of people who can take advantage of the deal.

If you are feeling a little more flush with cash, book the Novo Cinemas Max 4D or Seven-Star experiences for Dh2,999.

Like the standard cinema experience, those who book the Novo Cinemas Max 4D screens will receive a 10 per cent discount on food and drinks. Seven-Star screen customers will get a voucher worth Dh500 to use on the screen's Seven-Star menu.

Novo Cinemas has branches at Dubai’s Ibn Battuta Mall, Festival City Mall, Dragon Mart and IMG Worlds of Adventure; Abu Dhabi’s Bawabat Al Sharq Mall and The Mall at World Trade Centre Abu Dhabi; Sharjah’s Sahara Centre, Mega Mall and Buhaira Centre; and Ras Al Khaimah’s Manar Mall.

The Novo Cinemas website specifies that private screening choices are not available at all locations, and are subject to availability.