Golden Harvest shut down all four of its remaining cinemas in Hong Kong on Sunday, including one that will not be leased to a new operator, leaving residents disappointed by the loss of another venue.
GH Galaxy in Shau Kei Wan ceased operations, while Golden Harvest鈥檚 other three cinemas, Sky at Olympian City, StagE in Tuen Mun and GH in Tai Po will all be leased to a new operator from Monday.
On its final day, GH Galaxy offered six showings across its two screens. By 5.30pm, the only sold-out showing was Behind the Shadows, a new release from June 12, with many empty seats in other screenings, particularly in the front rows.
鈥淭o be honest, I am not so surprised to hear about the closure,鈥 Jason Chan, an architect in his thirties who lives a 10-minute walk away, told the Post at the cinema.
鈥淔irst, there are fewer and fewer screenings, and then there is no staff working here 鈥 only self-service machines now. I can feel it is dying slowly.鈥
Chan expressed his regret but hoped a new operator might take over in the future.
Another resident, who identified himself as Danny L, said he would miss the 鈥渉uman touch鈥 of Golden Harvest cinemas. He noted that the chain often hosted events where film-goers could meet actors and actresses, while he also appreciated the friendly staff.
鈥淚 wonder if we can organise some crowdfunding to support the neighbourhood cinema,鈥 he said.
Shelton, a logistics worker in his forties, referred to GH Galaxy as a 鈥渉ome cinema鈥, contrasting it with larger venues such as Cityplaza in Tai Koo.
鈥淭hat one felt very different. It is inside a big mall with bigger screens, maybe good for major blockbusters,鈥 said Shelton, who preferred not to give his full name.
鈥淏ut I can walk in casually for this one; it is cheaper with all the good facilities. It is very affordable for some drama films.鈥
The closures mark the end of Golden Harvest鈥檚 more than five decades of cinema operations in Hong Kong.
The company announced last Friday that it would conclude its cinema operations in the city as the leases expired on Sunday. Cinema vouchers, coupons and movie tickets will be accepted at the three cinemas taken over by the new operator until the end of August.
This month, the 56-year-old landmark Grand Ocean Cinema in Tsim Sha Tsui also closed, followed by the closure of another venue at the MegaBox shopping centre. The latter will be replaced by a new cinema run by CineArt, scheduled to open next month with an upgraded design and facilities.
So far this year, nine cinemas have closed in Hong Kong, including the latest four and three earlier ones operated by Golden Harvest. In 2024, nine cinemas closed, two of which were run by the operator.
Aside from all Golden Harvest鈥檚 branches, Newport Theatre in Mong Kok also closed this year, while the 37-year-old Grand Kornhill Cinema in Quarry Bay ceased operations in late May.