Newcastle's last single-screen cinema, the Regal Cinema in Birmingham Gardens, is set to reopen in 2026 after being closed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Operators Jo Smith and George Merryman will attend the AACTA Awards on the Gold Coast this week as part of preparations for the relaunch.
The cinema has been closed since the outbreak of COVID-19, with only intermittent events held since. It was initially scheduled to reopen in 2025, but projector issues caused delays. The venue also faced an eight-year closure from 2006 due to safety concerns, reopening in 2014 after a community campaign.
The Regal will kick off its return with the Newcastle International Film Festival, then operate as a 'celebration cinema,' screening films on holidays and special dates such as Mother's Day, Father's Day, International Women's Day, and Halloween. It will be the second independent cinema to reopen in Newcastle in recent years, following Tower Cinemas, which began screenings in November 2025.
Ms Smith noted that Tower Cinemas' strong crowds are encouraging for the Regal. 'Different venues offer different experiences, but the appetite for community and connection is clearly still there,' she said. Meanwhile, at the AACTA Awards, Mr Merryman will moderate an event with Bruce Beresford, whose film 'The Travellers' is nominated for multiple awards.
