Cinepolis to open first UAE cinema outlet at Dubai's Meydan One

The Mexican chain already has screens in Bahrain and Oman, while the UAE and Saudi are next

A rendering of the Cinepolis that will be coming to Dubai.

The UAE’s first Cinepolis megaplex cinema will open in the forthcoming Meydan One Mall in Dubai, with both venues set to open in 2020.

Founded in Mexico in 1971, Cinepolis is the biggest cinema chain in Latin America and the fourth-largest worldwide with a global presence in 17 countries. It already operates GCC outlets in Bahrain and Oman, and recently won a licence to build six new cinemas in Saudi Arabia.

The 9,527-square-metre Dubai megaplex will feature 21 screens and an exclusive VIP lounge, with a total seating capacity of 3,035. The cinema’s auditoriums will include leather reclining chairs that feature personal amenities, call buttons, advanced storage solutions and adjustable tables.

Macro XE auditoriums will boast screens that are three times the standard size, while 4D E-Motion theatres will enable fans to "live" the movie experience with moving, mechanical motion seats and exhilarating special effects.

Catering to the needs of the smallest cinemagoers, Cinepolis Junior will offer a jungle gym, bean bag seating, and 15-minute intermissions halfway through the film to allow children to take a break.

F&B options will include cinema classics such as popcorn and nachos, as well as speciality paninis, pizzas, crepes, smoothies and high-quality coffee from Coffee Tree. The Luxury VIP menu will feature gourmet food, freshly prepared in-house and ordered and delivered by an in-theatre waiter service.

Ashish Shukla, CEO of Cinepolis Gulf, said: "Box office revenue in the Mena region exceeded US$500 million in 2017, and this number is set to increase year on year. With the UAE attracting more people from around the globe through its enabling policies and diverse resident-friendly activations, the cinema industry looks poised for further growth. We are delighted to join forces with Meydan One to enhance its customer offerings through introducing our range of innovative and entertaining movie-going experiences."