The multiplex CJ CGV became world’s fifth brand theatre to have sold more than 100 million tickets this year. On December 22nd, CGV has announced that “The accumulated admissions this year has exceeded 100 million, the fifth in the world to have reached this number after Regal Cinemas, Cinemark of U.S., AMC Theatres (acquired by Dalian Wanda of China in 2012) and Cinepolis of Mexico.” This growth came after 15 years since CGV had brought a new concept to Korean cinemas in 1998, when it began Korea’s first multiplex theatres. 

The company has contributed immensely to the development of Korean film industry, both in quality and in quantity. As of December this year, the company operates 876 screens in 111 theatres in South Korea. By actively investing and participating in productions, it had raised issues of being vertically affiliated, but CGV definitely had a great effect on raising the average number of movie sought by a person to the highest level. This year, a Korean person watched an average of 4.12 films, which is more than the U.S. with 3.88, 3.75 for Australians and 3.44 films for France. CGV also turned its interests to foreign markets. It has a total of 296 screens in 40 theatres in China, the U.S. and Vietnam as of December, increasing its overseas screens ratio to 24.6%. In 4DX cinemas, CGV maintains an unrivaled position in the world by adding 90 more screens in 22 countries this year to an already dominant 87% market share. It plans to carry out more aggressive approach in expanding global business by taking over a Vietnamese multiplex company, Megastar Cinema and expanding the Chinese market with a plan to make its way into 60 nations by year 2020. 

CGV also plans to showcase the world’s first ‘Screen X’ technology of installing three screens in a room; on left, middle and right walls. KIM Jee-woon, the director of The Good, The Bad And the Weird and The Last Stand, is preparing a 30-minute action thriller, The X, to be the first on ‘Screen X’.

CGV has revealed its strategy to “be more active in overseas markets through ‘investing in cinemas of the future’ such as opening a cultureplex, the next step after multiplex, by establishing a solid foothold with the world’s first 4DX and Screen X.”

“As one of the top five theatres in the world, CGV will accelerate its move into other countries, to spread Korean style cultureplex facilities in every part of the world,“ said Seo Jung, the CEO of CJ CGV.