Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Does anyone know the where the largest multiplex is and how many screens it is?

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Posted by Robert LaValley (Member # 4319) on 04-16-2008, 01:48 PM:

I know AMC has some 30 screen complex's in Texas however out of bordem really I was wondering if anyone knows where the largest multiplex is and how many screens it is.

Per an email from AMC the 30 screen megaplex is the largest complex as for number of screens in one building.
AMC's and the only listing of 30 plex's I can find

AMC 30 at the Block Orange, CA Open 30
AMC Cantera 30 Warrenville, IL Open 30
AMC Covina 30 Covina, CA Open 30
AMC Easton Town Center 30 with IMAX Columbus, OH Open 30
AMC Grapevine Mills 30 Dallas, TX Open 30
AMC Gulf Pointe 30 Houston, TX Open 30
AMC Interchange 30 Concord, Ontario Open 30
AMC Mesquite 30 Mesquite, TX Open 30
AMC South Barrington 30 South Barrington, IL Open 30
AMC Studio 30 Houston, TX Open 30
Vue Birmingham Birmingham, West Midlands, England Open 30

[ 07-09-2008, 07:21 PM: Message edited by: Robert LaValley ]

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 04-16-2008, 02:45 PM:

They are not the largest; just the largest number of screens. Perhaps we should count the total number of seats on site.

Showcase Cinemas, Louisville had more than 7800 seats on 13 screens, now closed, but still there. Louis

Posted by Andres Briano (Member # 4621) on 04-16-2008, 03:34 PM:

I believe both are worth mentioning. Most screens and most seats.
Andrés

Posted by Robert LaValley (Member # 4319) on 04-16-2008, 03:43 PM:

Yes actually this will help me considering that my staff and I are coming up with random theatre trivia.

so questions:

Largest screen count:
Largest screen: (IMAX and 35mm)
Largest complex (Square foot):
Highest amount of seating capacity:

Because size matters. :-) hahahah

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 04-19-2008, 04:55 PM:

The Largest screen in the world is at IMAX Sydney, Australia.
There is one other IMAX screen in asia which was the same size, built by the same company.

Posted by Robert LaValley (Member # 4319) on 04-19-2008, 09:15 PM:

curiousity do you know the size of the IMAX screen you mentioned?

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 04-21-2008, 04:00 AM:

I'll find out, I remember that its over 8 stories tall!

I also remember that a 22mm lens on the 35mm projector produced a 75ft wide 1.85 image, which still looked like a postage stamp on that screen

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 04-21-2008, 05:05 AM:

Yes, a miniature postage stamp at that. There's big and then there's too big. IMAX Sydney is the latter.

Posted by Rick Hunter (Member # 1606) on 04-27-2008, 06:23 AM:

Sydney
largest 2D screen
29 x 36 metres [95 x 118 feet]

Melbourne
largest 3D screen
26 x 31 metres [85 x 101 feet]

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 04-27-2008, 07:40 AM:

I dunno but the Radio City Music Hall must fit in here somewhere... 1-screen, 6000-seats.

Steve

Posted by Blake Zaugg (Member # 1455) on 04-27-2008, 11:12 PM:

Not sure if it still holds the record but I thought I heard at one time the New Orleans superdome held the record for most people watching a movie at the same time. It was for the premiere of Hunchback of Notre Dame, and had all the local schools there.

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 04-27-2008, 11:23 PM:

Thatks for the addition of the Eglish units rick. LoL Was scratching my head going "aww crap, now I gotta remember my conversions" Let see 1 in. = 2.54 cm. LoL That's a big screen.

Posted by Mike Baer (Member # 1519) on 04-28-2008, 06:37 AM:

The Kinepolis in Madrid,Spain has 25 screens with total 9200 seats. The biggest screen there has 996 seats and the screen is 25 meter wide.

Posted by Robert LaValley (Member # 4319) on 07-08-2008, 07:23 PM:

Adding this to this thread:

Radio city music hall - 5000 seats, 1 screen = largest single screen house.

from the guiness world records website:
Largest cinema complex – seats
Kinepolis Madrid, which opened in Spain on 17 September 1998 is the world's largest cinema complex with a total seating capacity of 9,200 from its 25 screens which can, individually, seat between 211 and 996 people.

And the smallest:
The Cinema dei Piccoli was built by Alfredo Annibali (Italy) in 1934 in the park of Villa Borghese, Rome, Italy and today covers an area of 71.52 m² (769.83 ft²). Originally called the Topolino Cinema (after Mickey Mouse), the cinema used a Path-Baby 9.5 mm movie projector, bed sheets for the screen and played 78's for background music. Restored in 1991, the cinema has 63 seats, a 5 x 2.5 m (16.4 x 8,2 ft) screen, stereo sound and air-conditioning.

And for an interesting side note
the largest 4D screen:
Asia's Largest 4D Cinema at SkyPlaza
Hot on the heels of Hong Kong Disneyland and the "Ngong Ping 360" another blockbuster tourist and entertainment hub is emerging on the Lantau Island.
The world's first 4D EXTREME SCREEN, a joint project involving Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA), Multiplex Cinema Limited (MCL) and SimEx-Iwerks, is scheduled for opening in July 2006 at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)'s SkyPlaza. Providing a sensory cinematic experience unlike anything cinema goers have ever encountered, the 4D EXTREME SCREEN is set to become a distinctive core attraction on Lantau Island.
Boasting Asia's largest 4D cinema screen, the 4D EXTREME SCREEN is over four stories high, integrating cutting-edge projection system technologies provided by SimEx-Iwerks, the world leader in three-dimensional special effects entertainment.
Unlike conventional 2D or 3D movie theatres, the 4D EXTREME SCREEN will employ the latest F/X special visual and audio effects that bring strikingly real three-dimensional images right before audiences' eyes, while simultaneously allowing them to experience sensory thrills timed to the visual action. Cinema goers watching 4D movies can wade through drifting snow, splash in water and breathe in pleasant outdoor fragrances.
AA Commercial Director Hans Bakker said, "This cinema will add a new fourth dimension to airport experience that will appeal to air, sea and land passengers, meeters and greeters, exhibition visitors and local residents alike."
"This attraction will provide an entertainment venue for many of our transfer passengers with a long dwelling time and for leisure visitors using our multi-modal transport facilities. Further, this 330-seat cinema venue can be used to complement the new exhibition centre during its peak season and can also be used by our many airport partners."
"An international transfer hub with a 4D cinema at HKIA is the world's first in aviation industry. This is a further illustration that HKIA is more than an airport and offers a competitive edge over other airports in the region," he added.
Recently released 4D movies provided by SimEx-Iwerks range from flying adventures in the open sky and Outerspace exploration to Pirate adventures on the high seas and Underwater quests beneath the waves. The 4D EXTREME SCREEN dares audiences to plunge into the unprecedented thrilling experiences, which are suitable for the young and the elderly alike.
The following are the key features of SkyPlaza's 4D EXTREME SCREEN:
*Asia's largest 4D cinema screen, which at 64 ft X 44 ft is over four storey high;
*Cutting-edge Academy Award winning Iwerks 8/70 Linear Loop projection technology;
*The most advanced and varied F/X devices;
*The latest audio equipment and effects;
*Exclusive showings of a wide programme of 4D EXTREME SCREEN movies, produced to the most exacting international standards;
*"4-in-1" multipurpose capabilities: the 4D EXTREME SCREEN Cinema can screen 2D; 3D and 4D films in 35mm and 70mm formats and is fully equipped with large-scale conference facilities.
The new 4D cinema will be an anchor attraction to SkyPlaza, which is located on the east side of the existing passenger terminal building (Terminal One). It will house the second passenger terminal, a coach station for cross-boundary routes, and also 35,000 sqm of retail, catering and entertainment areas.
A "People Mover System" will link SkyPlaza to Terminal One and will be extended to a new permanent ferry terminal (SkyPier). The integrated SkyPlaza development will provide office space for business partners as well as for AA's headquarters. SkyPlaza is at the heart of SkyCity, a complex that houses a new international exhibition centre (AsiaWorld-Expo), a 9-hole golf course, a hotel and the cross-boundary SkyPier.
An entertainment expert, the Managing Director of Intercontinental Group (the parent company of MCL) Rigo Jesu said, "We have every confidence that with the combination of the prime location in Hong Kong International Airport's SkyCity and SimEx-Iwerks' state-of-the-art technology, the 4D cinema will become the most comprehensive and outstanding focal point for visitors not merely in Hong Kong, but in the whole of Asia -- adding a whole new dimension to the territory's tourism and entertainment industries."
SimEx-Iwerks' Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Michael Needham said, "We are very excited to collaborate with the AA to create the world's largest 4D screen and the only multi-format "4 in 1" cinema at the world's best airport for its 40 million passengers to enjoy."
Background information of Multiplex Cinema Limited (MCL) and SimEx-Iwerks, AA's business partners in the 4D Cinema:
SkyPlaza's 4D EXTREME SCREEN will be operated by Multiplex Cinema Limited (MCL), a subsidiary of the Intercontinental Group, a well-respected leader in Hong Kong's entertainment industry with 36 years of history behind it. A multi-faceted corporation, apart from the distributions of film and home video products, Intercontinental Group also develops and manages cinemas as well as specializes in publicity, promotion and entertainment marketing.
SimEx-Iwerks creates specialty film based attractions that integrate Extreme Screen™ technologies; 3D Projection; 4D Seats; In Theatre Special Effects and Motion Simulation for the world's major entertainment players. SimEx-Iwerks has installed 245 attractions in theme and amusement parks, entertainment centers; themed environments; museums; science centers; zoos; aquariums; planetariums; shopping centers; cinema multiplexes; destination centers; casinos and resorts in over 35 countries. SimEx-Iwerks supports these clients with a custom library of 150 films and a worldwide service network.

And the largest 35mm screen goes to:
Hoyts has made an application with the Guinness World RecordsTM to determine whether the largest screen in the $30 million complex, at 30.670 metres-wide and over 13 metres tall, will be the world’s largest.
CEO of Hoyts, Stuart McInnes, says the company is required to supply two independent witness statements and organise professional surveyors to measure the screen before the final application can be made to verify whether it is the largest.

“For Kiwis to boast that we have the largest multiplex screen in the world would be an amazing feat and we’re encouraging New Zealanders to really get in behind our bid and support us in this exciting venture.

“Given there are some 35,000 screens in America alone, so well over 50,000 across the world, we think this will be a great achievement for New Zealand.”

He says the gigantic screen, which took 20 people to install, was made specifically for Hoyts. It requires a projector run by an 8000-watt bulb to project images onto the surface. It will be the largest in New Zealand, beating the 23.5 metre-wide screen at Hoyts’ Riccarton cinema complex in Christchurch.

Mr McInnes says offering film-buffs the ability to view movies on a screen this size reflects the passion Kiwis have for the cinema.

“This has been further enhanced by New Zealand’s huge successes in recent years on the world cinematic stage.”

He says the cutting-edge Sylvia Park complex boasts a number of cinematic firsts for New Zealand, including the giant screen. For example, all cinemas in will have 65 per cent more legroom than the average cinema in New Zealand – and the most of any cinema in Australasia.

“Movie-goers will need to be at least 190cm tall to touch the back of the seat in front of them. People tell us time and time again that comfort is crucial to a positive cinematic experience and we’ve responded to that feedback. The days of tripping over someone’s feet as you find your seat are well and truly over,” he says.

Mr McInnes says the new complex will also house two cinemas designed specifically for screening art-house films.

“There’s no doubt that the new Sylvia Park complex will offer a cinematic experience never before experienced by Kiwis. It signals the long-awaited presence in Auckland of a truly world-class cinema and we’re thrilled to be leading the way,” he says.

Hoyts Sylvia Park cinemas will be housed in the entertainment precinct of Sylvia Park, near a variety of restaurants and bars.

There are over 3,000 car parks available to movie-goers within the Sylvia Park complex

[ 07-09-2008, 02:59 PM: Message edited by: Robert LaValley ]

Posted by Trey Allensworth (Member # 1973) on 06-21-2009, 04:58 PM:

Smallest number of seats. Gentry Theater screen #2 34 seats. Located in Chectoah Oklahoma.

Posted by Jeff Arellano (Member # 3249) on 06-21-2009, 11:01 PM:

Smallest theatre for one of the big chains:

AMC Burbank Town Center 8.
Theatre #5
Total Seats: 56

Screen: Small.

As for the largest, AMC Covina is the smallest of their 30 plexes with a lot of 70 and 90 seat theatres, 2 over 400, 2 just under 400, and 4 at about 250, 4 at about 175.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 06-28-2009, 12:06 PM:

quote: Robert LaValley
Exclusive showings of a wide programme of 4D EXTREME SCREEN movies, produced to the most exacting international standards;
*"4-in-1" multipurpose capabilities: the 4D EXTREME SCREEN Cinema can screen 2D; 3D and 4D films in 35mm and 70mm formats and is fully equipped

Wow....the lastest, state-of-the-art equipment, but wait.... no digital? -- it's all film based. Wonder what prompted that decision. And what movies are they showing in 3D that are film-based rather than digit based? Certainly not our current crop of Hollywood/Pixar/Disney 3D cartoons. What film-based 3D content have they got over there? And is it dual projector....over/under? And what "exacting international standards" exist for 3D film projection?

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 06-28-2009, 06:13 PM:

I read somewhere that the 68 seat single screen where I used to project from time to time until quite recently was the second-smallest cinema in Britain. If this is true I have no idea where the smallest is.

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 06-28-2009, 06:40 PM:

There was a ridiculously small cinema somewhere in the UK, literally in a shed in someone's garden with maybe 40 seats at most. It was run as a proper business with tickets and food sold.

The West End has some very small cinemas, pretty much screening rooms. Odeon Leicester Square 'Mezzanine' is a 'miniplex', five screens with most seating about 50-60. Apart from some small films it is a move-over house for the bigger Leicester Square Odeons. It's also about £10 a ticket, complete rip-off unless you really want to see the film in a cinema.

Empire 3 and 5 are possibly around the 50 seat mark as well, saw Rendition in Empire 3 and it is very small but nicely kept.

Posted by Mark Ogden (Member # 43) on 06-28-2009, 07:33 PM:

The smallest cinema auditorium that I am aware of that you can actually buy a ticket to is the video only Screen #4 at the Coolidge Corner Cinema in Boston: 17 seats.

Posted by Jeremy Jorgenson (Member # 2989) on 06-28-2009, 10:18 PM:

quote: Jeff Arellano
AMC Burbank Town Center 8.
Theatre #5
Total Seats: 56

Hmm, I saw both Texas Rangers (2001) and The Hunted (2003) on that screen (not that anybody cares). I wouldn't have remembered it as being "super small" or anything. I remember a very small screen/auditorium at the GKC Coed in Champaign, IL ... but that has long since closed. The auditorium called "Salon" at the ARS theatre in Krakow, Poland is rather small too. You walk into the auditorium under the screen, and there are 20 seats (according to their website - though I only remember 3 rows of 6 ... perhaps the last row had 2 extra seats?)

Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 06-29-2009, 12:14 AM:

quote: Mark Ogden
the video only Screen #4 at the Coolidge Corner Cinema

whaaaaa...? the coolidge corner has been 'plexed? it was a single screen as of the late '90's.

the smallest auditorium i've seen a film in was 26 seats in 3 rows. this was the second screen in a swedish duplex that i think has since moved or shut down.

Posted by William Short (Member # 5170) on 06-29-2009, 06:12 AM:

When I did work there in the late 80's, the Coolidge had already been twinned, with the balcony sealed off. The original booth served the new balcony theater, and a new booth was built under the balcony for the main theater. Downstairs had Norelcos, capable of any of the usual 35 or 70mm formats, as well as dual-strip 3D. I can't recall upstairs (Century?), but it was equipped for 35mm mag.

Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 06-29-2009, 01:59 PM:

well damn, i guess i only ever saw anything on the main screen. i do kinda remember a balcony area in the back that i suppose was closed off.

so is it this balcony area that's been further subdivided, or did they cannibalize some storage area, or steal some real estate from next door, or did they carve up the main auditorium?

Posted by William Short (Member # 5170) on 06-29-2009, 08:06 PM:

The two new screening rooms were carved out of previously under-utilized space, so the balcony theater and the main theater were not altered by the addition.