A major cinema chain in Singapore has ceased all operations and closed its doors permanently. Cathay Cineplexes officially ended its business on September 1, 2025, following an announcement from its parent company regarding its financial state. The closure was immediate and affected all of its remaining locations across the island.
The parent company, mm2 Asia, made the announcement in a filing on September 1. The company stated that Cathay Cineplexes was no longer able to continue operating as a viable business. The decision was made to place the cinema chain into a creditors’ voluntary liquidation process. This means a liquidator will be appointed to manage the company's assets and settle its debts with creditors to the greatest extent possible.
According to the filing, the cinema chain had been struggling with significant financial obligations, particularly to the landlords of its various outlets. The parent company noted that Cathay Cineplexes had attempted to negotiate with its creditors to find a manageable solution for its payment obligations. However, these negotiations were unsuccessful, and the company was unable to arrive at mutually agreeable restructuring outcomes. This failure to secure a financial arrangement ultimately led to the decision to liquidate.
The closure was announced to the public through a social media post on September 1, which stated operations had ceased with immediate effect. The chain's website showed no available movie screenings. The four outlets that were still in operation until this point were located at Causeway Point, Downtown East, Century Square, and Clementi. Visitors to these malls on September 1 found the cinemas shuttered, with notices of provisional liquidation posted on the doors. Employees from adjacent shops confirmed the cinemas had been operating as normal just the day before, on August 31.
The sudden nature of the closure left many customers surprised and concerned. Patrons who arrived for pre-booked movie screenings found the doors locked. Many expressed worry about obtaining refunds for advanced tickets and for unused vouchers. Specifically mentioned were "Save our Screens" vouchers, which were sold to the public and are now set to expire with no clear information on reimbursement. The parent company and the appointed liquidator did not comment on the number of employees affected by the layoffs. A workers' union stated it was reaching out to provide guidance and assistance to affected members. This closure follows the shuttering of six other outlets over the past three years, highlighting a prolonged struggle for the business, exacerbated by financial challenges in the industry since the pandemic.
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