Yesterday we reported that Golden Screen Cinemas Sdn Bhd will be shutting down its GSC Pavilion KL outlet starting from 17 February 2020. This morning we learned that in its stead will be an operator from China, Dadi Cinema, that will be making its Malaysian debut in the third quarter of 2020.
Pavilion KL promised that Dadi Cinema will be bringing a “fully immersive and premium cinematic experience” to moviegoers. But what exactly do we know about Dadi? Well, not much yet, if I’m being perfectly honest. We don’t know what those immersive experiences are going to be just yet. After all, GSC Pavilion KL offered a variety of speciality halls such as Gold Class and Atmos D-Box.
What we do know about Dadi Cinema Group is that its China’s second-largest theatre chain, only behind Wanda Cinema Line. According to SCMP, in 2017, Dadi owned more than 400 cinemas and 2500 screens across mainland China. The CEO of the company, Yu Xin, has said that Dadi strives to continue to expand its reach to second to fifth-tier cities in China. In 2017, the CEO also said that they’re looking to expand beyond China as well.
Dadi has always closely followed overseas markets. If there’s an opportunity, we would begin overseas expansion depending, of course, on actual circumstances.
On top of that, Dadi Cinema also has a film distribution arm, Dadi Film Distribution.
Pavilion KL will not be the only location in Malaysia that Dadi will be operating in. The theatre chain will also be the anchor cinema in Pavilion Bukit Jalil which is set to open in 2021.
Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first theatre chain from China that has spread its seed in Malaysia. Even last year, Emperor Cinemas debuted in R&F Mall in Johor Bahru.
