Golden Harvest's MegaBox draws crowds as yet another cinema closes in Hong Kong
Hong Kong film-goers snapped up discounted tickets for the final day of operation of Golden Harvest's MegaBox cinema on Sunday, with some disheartened fans finding comfort in the news that another theatre chain will take over the space soon.
In the afternoon, the seven-screen cinema was bustling with long-time regulars and others who were simply nearby residents, eager to snap up HK$40 (US$5) tickets for most screenings.
The operator announced last week it was closing, becoming the latest in a string of cinemas to close in the city and the fifth so far this year.
It added CineArt would open a new cinema in the shopping centre next month with upgraded design and facilities.
Among Sunday's film-goers was Alan Man, who said he saw almost 30 films at MegaBox this year and 70 last year, sometimes packing three or four into a single day.
'I particularly like this cinema because it is cheap, not crowded and has comfortable seats. I can spend the whole day in this cinema,' said the supermarket salesman in his twenties. 'I am super sad because I will lose a 'me-place' to relax.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
16 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
Bollywood dance video filmed at Oxford University goes viral on Instagram
A group of current and former Oxford University students have become an online sensation after a Bollywood-style video shot around the prestigious British campus went viral. The performance involving about seven friends was shot to Desi Boyz, the title track of the 2011 romantic comedy of the same name starring Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone and Chitrangada Singh. The idea for the clip came from Druv Punjabi, an Oxford alumnus who was born and raised in Hong Kong. 'This is something I had wanted to do for a long time,' says Punjabi by phone from Dubai, where he is now based. 'We really wanted to show off Oxford and the surrounding cityscape, so when the university said they were keen to collaborate it came as a bit of a shock.' Another shock was to follow, with the video blowing up online. So far it has racked up more than 240,000 views.
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
Cinnamoroll vs Pompompurin: who's winning the 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking?
Last month's papal conclave may have drawn global attention, but elsewhere, another vote stirred near-religious fervour: Sanrio 's annual popularity contest. Millions of fans cast ballots not for a pope, but for the crown of cutest Sanrio pup. On one side, the reigning champ for five straight years: Cinnamoroll. On the other: Pompompurin. Online, the passion can verge on the unhinged. 'I swear to f***ing God if you troglodytes let that greedy f***ing capitalist Dog win for the seventh year in a row I am going to commit an act of resistance that is so vile,' one user posted on X (formerly Twitter). Harsh words for an adorable pup born on a cloud, but that's the kind of fervour Sanrio characters inspire. Cinnamoroll has been reigning champ in Sanrio's annual popularity contest for five straight years. Illustration: @sanrio/Instagram From April 10 to May 25, fans cast ballots for their favourites among 90 Sanrio characters in the 40th Annual Sanrio Character Ranking . For the first time, votes could be cast in Sanrio stores or Hello Kitty Cafes – complete with an 'I voted' sticker – not just online. Fans could also head to Don Don Donki for a Hong Kong exclusive promotion, where they received a complimentary character ranking sticker and a character table flag when buying Sanrio products. The brand also held a special pop-up at Sha Tin's New Town Plaza from April 28 to March 27. Sanrio , the Japanese entertainment company behind cultural icons such as Hello Kitty , has more than 450 characters under its name and is perhaps the biggest exporter of Japan's beloved kawaii culture A white puppy with a quiet but friendly demeanour, Cinnamoroll was introduced in 2001 and for several years, fans mistook him for a bunny because of his long ears that double as wings. He's dominated recent contests, winning seven of the past eight years, with a consecutive first place streak between 2020 and 2024.
South China Morning Post
11 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham wins 2025 Van Cliburn competition
Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham Ching-tao, 29, won the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in the US state of Texas earlier this month. He is the first pianist from Hong Kong to win this award. This achievement sets him on the path to global fame. The announcement of his victory earlier this month followed two-and-a-half weeks of eager waiting. Live streams of the contest's four tough rounds, with 28 competitors from 15 countries, received a combined 20 million views from 145 countries. Sham's name was read out by jury chairman Paul Lewis to loud cheers in the packed Bass Performance Hall. The winner stepped on stage wearing a bow tie and a smile to receive his medal and trophy. Sham started playing the piano at the age of three with his piano teacher mother at home in Hong Kong. He began competing internationally at the age of 10 while attending Diocesan Boys' School. He studied under Shirley Ip and Professor Eleanor Wong at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. He was featured by British broadcaster Channel 4 in its 2009 documentary The World's Greatest Musical Prodigies.
