Jeddah has a brilliant array of cinemas to choose from, offering all the latest Hollywood, Bollywood and Arab releases in several languages. From ultra-luxurious suites for glamorous date nights to kid-friendly screening rooms complete with slides, sweets and play areas, there’s a movie theatre to suit every kind of outing.
Most of Jeddah’s cinemas are housed inside the city’s biggest malls, so there’s always the option to turn a trip to the cinema into a full day out and make the most of the nearby restaurants, shops and entertainment centres without even having to leave the building. So grab your popcorn, settle in and enjoy – this is our pick of the best cinemas in Jeddah.
1. VOX Cinemas
VOX is one of the Kingdom's most popular cinema chains, offering movie screenings that come with a lot of extras – think luxury menus, amped-up viewing technology, lounges and private rooms.
Jeddah currently has three VOX venues – Jeddah Park, Red Sea Mall and Town Square – with more slated to open in the future. Between them, these cinemas offer several upgraded viewings, including ICE (immersive cinema experience) screenings, private cinemas for couples or groups, and Gold tickets.
Gold tickets include choices from an à la carte menu, which includes sushi, burgers, salads, nachos and more, all of which are served right to your seat. You also get access to an exclusive lounge that you can hang out in before and after the showing. If you’re treating the kids to a day out, opt for the family-friendly Red Sea Mall branch, which has a special kids screening room decked out with colourful seats. There’s also heaps to do with children in the mall afterwards, including Sparky’s – a massive amusement park with rides, soft play and video games. A standard ticket costs SAR 35.
2. Muvi Cinemas
The ever-popular KSA chain Muvi has five cinemas in Jeddah offering a diverse range of experiences, whether you’re looking for a luxury date night, a family outing or a low-key movie night with friends. Atelier La Vie, Mall of Arabia, Haifa Mall, Yasmin Mall, The Village and Aziz Mall all have branches (choose Mall of Arabia if you want to treat yourself to some designer shopping afterwards – Coach, DKNY, Michael Kors and lots of other big-name brands have outlets here). Muvi offers certain films on Screen X, a panoramic, wrap-around cinema screen that extends along the walls of the auditorium for extra-intense visuals.
There are also Muvi Suites available for watching films in a more intimate, luxurious setting. These suites feature cozy double seats, a lounge area, and a great food menu with everything from chicken tenders to short rib bao and homemade cheesecake. And for those visiting with kids, the Junior cinema is superb, featuring a playroom, slide and sweets station. Muvi also offers sensory-adapted sessions on Saturdays, during which house lights are kept on, the volume is lower than usual, and adverts aren’t shown. Guests are also allowed to bring in their own snacks. Tickets are available for anyone who finds typical screenings stressful or unsuitable. A standard ticket costs SAR 49.
3. Empire Cinemas
Jeddah’s sole branch of Empire Cinema is in Al Andalus Mall, and is one of the best family-friendly options in the city. The Minis combined screening room and play area is perfect for the youngest members of the family, who can tumble about with the beanbags, ball pits and soft play while the movie is playing. The food menu, featuring chicken strips and hot dogs, burgers and pizza, is very child-friendly too.
As for the adults, those after an enhanced, immersive viewing can opt for the Sphera experience with enhanced sound and lighting, plus screens that wrap around the cinema’s walls – a must for the biggest action movies. Take advantage of Empire Cinema’s Tuesday Offer when you get 25% off food and drinks. A standard ticket costs SAR 35.
4. Grand Cinemas
Head to Obhur Mall or Al Masarrah to experience some of Jeddah’s top immersive cinema theatres – MX4D. Rumblers, air blasters, scent diffusers and ticklers are built into the seats in these special screening rooms, so you get a full sensory experience that’s in sync with all the film’s action – a great choice for blockbusters and action movies. Grand Cinemas also offer a luxury ‘Grand Class’ ticket, a small theatre with just 36 reclining leather armchairs, each equipped with a QR code that you can use to order snacks, drinks or meals throughout the film.
Curl up under the complimentary blankets and enjoy a feel-good flick in a relaxing setting. If you're visiting the Obhur theatre, why not make the most of the nearby recently developed seaside area? After the movie, take a stroll along the corniche or Obhur Waterfront amidst the tree-lined walkways, cycling paths, green spaces and seating areas. A standard ticket costs SAR 40.
5. Hayy Cinema
A key part of the Hayy Jameel cultural complex, Hayy Cinema is the city's first independent art-house theatre. Offering a much more diverse array of options than your average blockbuster titles, Hayy features acclaimed films and shorts from all over the world, including documentaries, film festivals, and homegrown Saudi productions. But this space is about more than just film – it routinely hosts workshops, special screenings, discussions and exhibitions. There's space here for every kind of film fan to learn more about their favourite art form and meet those behind the camera who bring it all to life.
The main theatre is a 168-seat space, but there's also a 30-seat screening room available to hire for special occasions. Take some time before or after your movie to explore the on-site multimedia library and chat with the informed, friendly staff. A standard ticket is SAR 35.
