RIYADH: A second Majid Al-Futtaim multiplex is set to open in Saudi Arabia in early 2019, according to a statement released by the leisure company on Tuesday.

The multiplex, which will be the largest in the Kingdom, will open at Riyadh Front and will be the second Saudi Arabian location for VOX Cinemas.

Cameron Mitchell, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas, said: “This second location for VOX Cinemas and Magic Planet in Riyadh will be a flagship, as we continue to roll out our ambitious expansion plan for the Kingdom. We can’t wait to bring more unique Majid Al Futtaim entertainment concepts to movie goers in Saudi Arabia, as the feedback from our first multiplex and Magic Planet has been nothing short of exceptional.”

He continued: “We are very excited to partner with Riyadh Front to deliver a world-class cinema and entertainment offering to complement the mall’s unique and innovative design. We appreciate the continuous support that we have received from the Saudi Government, the Ministry of Culture and Information and the General Commission for Audio-visual Media.”

The Riyadh Front multiplex will bring more of VOX Cinemas’ signature experiences to the Kingdom including the mega-screen MAX, KIDS and luxury cinema concept THEATRE by Rhodes, which means movie-lovers in Saudi Arabia will soon have the option of enjoying their favorite blockbusters while dining on an exclusive menu created by Michelin-starred chef Gary Rhodes.

The first of its kind in the region, THEATRE by Rhodes will deliver a combination of fine food and the latest films. The concept allows guests to enjoy lavish lounge areas, dedicated in-theater waiter service, comfortable leather chairs with blankets, pillows and made-to-order gourmet food.

Majid Al Futtaim has plans to invest SAR16 billion ($4.2 billion) across its portfolio of shopping malls, fashion, leisure and retail projects in the Kingdom, and this latest project is expected to create more than 117,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, as the VOX Cinemas investment alone will see the company open 600 screens in the next five years in Saudi Arabia.

As recipient of the Global Achievement in Exhibition Award at CinemaCon 2017 and with 35 cinema complexes in eight countries in the MENA region, VOX Cinemas is already well-known to Saudi movie fans, given the company opened the Kingdom’s first multiplex cinema in May this year.