The new generation of cinemas arrives in Malaga: reclining seats and immersive sound

Next Sunday, the 8th, will be the last session of the cinemas at Málaga Nostrum. Well, it will be the last as we know it... because, in reality, the French chain Mk2 is interrupting the screenings to move, as it plans to inaugurate next year its new theaters in this same shopping center, albeit in a different building. The destination is the old building that housed Conforama - making a corner, opposite the Bauhaus mega-store - where the 14 new screens that will bring to Málaga the latest generation of cinematic exhibition aimed at the VIP experience of the viewer: reclining and wider seats, and immersive sound system.

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This change of location has been prompted by the arrival of a giant, the American firm Costco, a large warehouse at advantageous prices that will introduce a new concept of customers since one must be a member to shop. "This brand is a tremendous locomotive and will mark the resurgence of that commercial area by being located in the current building of the cinemas, which are going to be demolished to relocate, so Mk2 continues in Málaga," says the architect Salvador Moreno Peralta, author of the project of the building that has housed the Málaga Nostrum theaters until now and who is also in charge of the interior and facade renovation of the old Conforama warehouse that will host the screenings starting next year.

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"The theaters are equipped with the very latest in exhibition technology, with extraordinary and reclining seats to enhance the comfort of the viewer," explains the architect, adding that the cinemas will be located on the first floor. The new facilities will be accompanied by a children's play area and several restaurants, while on the ground level a "large" Mercadona, another supermarket brand, will join the Málaga Nostrum directory.

From megaplexes to tech theaters

In addition to a capacity that changes the old concept of theater seating to 'lounge seating', at least two of the new Mk2 theaters in the capital will also feature immersive Atmos sound, a system developed by Dolby to completely surround the viewer with sound. This 'sound atmosphere' unprecedented in the cinemas of the capital of Málaga will be another attraction of the new complex that bets on a "VIP treatment" of the public, assures Javier Marín, general director of Bogaris Retail, owner of Málaga Nostrum and who promotes the change of the cinemas that will continue under the management of the French multinational.

Costco "is a tremendous locomotive and will mark the resurgence of Málaga Nostrum," assures the architect Salvador Moreno Peralta

"The project presented to us by Mk2 is cutting-edge with spectacular screens, but they are no longer giant megascreens for thousands of people like the old megaplexes, but rather enhance the experience with high technological features," explains the person in charge of the shopping center's promoter, who highlights the continuity in this "improved" project of the French group that, in addition to a "large presence in Andalusia" - in the province they also manage Miramar in Fuengirola and El Ingenio in Vélez - "is not just a large exhibition chain that, in addition to commercial films, schedules cinephile, cultural titles and in original version, but is also a large distributor and producer of audiovisual content."

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In this way, the new Mk2 Málaga Nostrum cinemas will not only bring the latest projection format to Málaga, but will completely change the concept of this chain in the capital that had large-format theaters that had become outdated with the gradual loss of spectators over the last decade. Thus, the screens of this shopping center were inaugurated 20 years ago - in 2005 - by the Cordoban company Cinesur, when the megaplexes were in full expansion. And in that race to be the largest, Málaga Nostrum hung the ambitious label of "largest cinema complex in Andalusia" at the time, with 21 theaters and 5,000 seats, one venue and a hundred seats more than the neighboring Plaza Mayor, the largest until that date.

"The project is not giant megascreens like the old megaplexes, but rather enhances the experience with high technological features"

Javier Marín

General Director of Bogaris Retail

However, this Cinesur project did not fully take off as it was affected by the economic crisis of 2007-08 and the loss of spectators, so the French company Mk2 saved almost all its theaters from closure by purchasing in 2014 the complexes of the Andalusian operator in our community, Extremadura, and Castilla-La Mancha. Thus, the French exhibitor incorporated into its portfolio the cinemas Miramar, El Ingenio, and Málaga Nostrum, while those in Antequera were acquired by Sercine. On the other hand, Cinesur Plaza del Mar in Marbella was the only one in the province that closed its screens.

Half of the theaters, closed

With a more diverse programming and a cheaper pricing policy, Mk2 managed to revive the theaters in the province, although it also made adjustments in the facilities and closed about half of the theaters at Málaga Nostrum to adjust to the decreasing demand and make the numbers viable again. The change of building and redesign of these theaters for 2026 confirm this new stage of exhibition where the experience, comfort, and spectacularity of the projections are prioritized over large capacities. In fact, the renovation of the old Conforama has been designed for 14 medium-format theaters, instead of the 21 from two decades ago.

Next to Neoalbéniz, the remodeled theaters at Málaga Nostrum are planned to open their doors next year in the capital

The Málaga Nostrum project is the second project of new theaters being promoted in the capital, as next year is also planned the inauguration of Neoalbéniz, the project of the City Council that will open in the city center, next to the municipal cinema Albéniz. In this case, there will be two new screens that will start operations, which will not only support the Spanish, independent, and original version cinema lineup of the neighboring complex on Alcazabilla Street, but will also provide offices to the Málaga Festival.

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