Homegrown cinema chain Cathay Cineplexes is rolling its end credits – for good. After a series of outlet closures over the past few years, including locations at Jem and West Mall, which both shuttered earlier in 2025, Cathay will be turning off the lights at its remaining branches at Causeway Point, Century Square, Clementi 321, and Downtown East for a complete exit from Singapore.
This news comes as a surprise to cinemagoers, especially since the Cathay Cineplexes’ Instagram page was still actively posting teasers of upcoming screenings for new movies like Wicked: For Good and Bugonia just one day ago.
But as of September 1, 2025, Cathay Cineplexes has undergone voluntary liquidation, and its parent company mm2 has confirmed that it owes landlords millions in unpaid rent. Mm2 cites high overhead costs, competition from streaming platforms, and not being able to fully bounce back after the Covid-19 pandemic as some of the main reasons for its recent losses.
The sad announcement follows closely after the abrupt closure of beloved indie cinema The Projector, just a few weeks shy of its 11th anniversary.
At present, it does not appear that there will be refunds issued for any tickets already bought in advance.