Caribbean Cinemas
| File:Caribbean Cinemas logo 2009.gif | |
| Company type | Public company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Leisure, entertainment and refreshments |
| Founded | June 19, 1969 |
| Founder | Victor Carrady |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 47 |
Area served |
|
Key people | Robert Carrady (President) |
| Products | Films (3D, large format, IMAX, 4DX), tickets, popcorn, drinks and confectionery |
| Website | caribbeancinemas |
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Caribbean Cinemas is a chain of movie theaters in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. It is the only major chain in Puerto Rico following CineVista's bankruptcy. The chain has expanded into Dominican Republic, Panama, St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Antigua, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Guadeloupe.[1]
History and expansion
In 2005, Caribbean Cinemas bought the second floor CineVista location at Plaza Las Américas after it was closed by the latter company; reopening under the Caribbean Cinemas brand as the largest of the chain, with 17 theater halls. In 2007, CineVista also closed its location on the second floor of Plaza del Norte before declaring bankruptcy and ultimately going out of business; Caribbean Cinemas also opted to buy out the empty space five years later and reopened as Caribbean Cinemas in May 2012 with 5 theater halls and one in 3D.[2] In October 2016, Caribbean Cinemas announced that a new location, and its first premium format, dubbed Caribbean Cinemas VIP, will be built in the Puerto Rico Convention Center District, with seven theater halls, and one in premium large format, due for a 2019 opening.[3] As of 2019, Caribbean Cinemas is celebrating its 50th Anniversary since its founding in 1969.[4]
Digital 3D
In February 2009, Caribbean Cinemas debuted its first digital 3D theater with Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience at Plaza las Américas. Over the years, more digital 3D films have been projected in most locations with at least one theater hall dedicated for it.
Premium large format
In December 2014, Caribbean Cinemas opened its first premium large format theater hall, dubbed Caribbean Cinemas Extreme (CXC), at Las Catalinas Mall, a premium large screen reserved seating theater format. It utilizes a 4K projector and employs Dolby Atmos sound system, transmitting 128 audio channels and over 30,000 watts of power to over 60 speakers located throughout the hall for a 360° sound. In the following months, four more theater halls have been converted in locations at Plaza las Américas, Plaza del Caribe, Plaza Guaynabo and Barceloneta. Montehiedra was added a CXC after its major renovation in 2016, making it the fifth large format screen of the company.[5]
IMAX and 4DX
In February 2016, Caribbean Cinemas announced the arrival of the first IMAX and 4DX theaters to the Montehiedra location, which meant it had to undergo a complete renovation. As part of plans, a second floor was to be constructed for the IMAX theater, meaning that of the 14 halls it has always had since 1996, two had to be merged to meet the standards of an IMAX theater to accommodate up to 400 people. Another renovation to the Montehiedra location is the first 4DX theater hall in Puerto Rico with synchronized moving seats, and special effects such as strobes for lightning, mists for rain, wind fans, bubbles and blows of air.[6][7] In May 2016, Caribbean Cinemas announced that AT&T and Toyota would be the corporate sponsors to the IMAX and 4DX theaters, respectively, at Montehiedra Cinemas, which reopened in June 2016 debuting the first IMAX and 4DX halls in Puerto Rico.[8] As of 2017, the Ana G. Méndez University System took over as the corporate sponsor of the 4DX experience.
The Caribbean Cinemas theater at Plaza Carolina also underwent renovations to make way for the second theater of the chain to have 4DX and IMAX, announced in August 2018. The renovated theater reopened in November 2018 and plans for renovating the Las Catalinas Malls Cinemas is expected for 2019.
See also
References
- ^ "Caribbean Cinemas". Caribbean Cinemas.
- ^ "Caribbean Cinemas abre en Plaza del Norte". El Nuevo Dia. May 10, 2012.
- ^ "Caribbean Cinemas abrirá nuevo cine VIP en Miramar". El Nuevo Dia. October 13, 2016.
- ^ Staff, Source (January 17, 2019). "Caribbean Cinemas Celebrates 50th Anniversary at 68 Theaters".
- ^ "Caribbean Cinemas lanza sala CXC en Puerto Rico". December 10, 2014.
- ^ "Caribbean Cinemas invierte en "nueva era" de entretenimiento". El Nuevo Dia. February 24, 2016.
- ^ Rodríguez @viktor_rodz, Metro Puerto Rico-Víktor. "Llega primer cine IMAX a Puerto Rico". Metro.
- ^ "Caribbean Cinemas inaugura totalmente remodelado Montehiedra Cinemas". June 8, 2016.