“The show is over” – MBO Cinemas Bids Farewell as It Permanently Ceases Operations After 23 Years

While the show is over, the memories remain.

In an official statement this morning (11 March), MBO Cinemas announced that it will permanently cease operations, leaving cinemagoers with the unfortunate news nearly five years after its comeback.

MBO Cinemas expressed that it had been its “greatest privilege to serve the audience and be part of their cinematic experiences.”

The cheers and laughter are no longer echoing through the halls, and to MBO Cinemas, those sounds meant everything. On Tuesday (10 March), an image regarding MBO Cinemas’ permanent closure went viral on social media.

Prior to its closure, MBO Cinemas operated eight outlets across Selangor, Melaka, Perak, and Johor.

A brief journey of MBO Cinemas

The branches in Selangor included Quayside Mall in Kota Kemuning, Brem Mall in Kepong, and Harbour Place Mall in Klang. The outlet in Atria Shopping Gallery in Petaling Jaya previously closed its doors in June 2024.

As one of the oldest cinema chains in Malaysia, MBO Cinemas was founded in 2003. By the mid-2010s, MBO operated a total of 26 cinemas nationwide, becoming the third-largest cinema chain, following only Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) and Tanjong Golden Village (TGV).

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, MBO Cinemas shut down its branches and entered liquidation. The following year, GSC acquired the majority of MBO Cinemas’ assets, and the brand was relaunched under new management.

The end of an era

This marks the second major cinema chain closure recently, following the cessation of operations at Dadi Cinema in Pavilion Bukit Bintang last week, where TGV Cinemas is scheduled to take over.

MBO Cinemas also reminded those with refund concerns to email them at moc.samenicobmobfsctd-9381ae@eracremotsuc.

“From all of us at MBO Cinemas, thank you for filling our seats, and our hearts.”

 

What are your fondest memories of watching movies in MBO Cinemas?

Also read: “They don’t make films like this anymore” – M’sian Has Watched Top Gun: Maverick In Theatres 59 Times!