Black Panther will be the first movie to play in Saudi Arabia in 35 years

  • 06/04/2018

Black Panther continues to break records and now it's making history by being poised to end Saudi Arabia's 35-year cinema ban.

Sources including Variety report the Marvel blockbuster will have a gala premiere in AMC's first Saudi Arabian theatre, built in the King Abdullah financial district.

The building was originally intended as a symphony hall, and so its main theatre will include 500 leather seats, orchestra and balcony levels, and marble bathrooms.

"We think it's going to be the prettiest movie theatre in the world," AMC CEO Adam Aron said.

Saudi Arabia banned public movie screenings 35 years ago due to religious concerns, but the decision to reverse that ban was made in December of 2017.

Black Panther will premiere there on April 19.

The superhero film has already smashed records worldwide and has raked in US$1.282 billion (NZ$1.765 billion) worldwide so far, making it the 10th-highest-grossing film of all time.

AMC plans to open up to 40 theatres in Saudi Arabia over the next five years.

Newshub.