Historic Newcastle Cinema Prepares for Grand Reopening in 2026
Newcastle's beloved Regal Cinema, the city's last remaining single-screen venue, is poised to reopen its doors this year after a series of delays. The iconic Birmingham Gardens establishment, which has been closed since the COVID-19 outbreak, will launch its new chapter with the Newcastle International Film Festival before adopting a unique "celebration cinema" programming model.
From Pandemic Closure to Community Revival
The Regal Cinema's journey to reopening has been marked by both challenges and community resilience. Initially scheduled to return in 2025, projector issues pushed the relaunch to 2026. This follows the cinema's previous eight-year closure from 2006 when the building was declared unsafe, before a successful community campaign revived it in 2014.
Operators Jo Smith and George Merryman are currently attending the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards on the Gold Coast, where they're connecting with industry figures in preparation for the cinema's revival. Their presence at what's often called the "Aussie Oscars" underscores their commitment to bringing quality cinematic experiences back to Newcastle.
A New Programming Vision for Community Connection
The Regal Cinema will operate as a "celebration cinema," screening films around holidays, long weekends, and special dates including Mother's Day, Father's Day, International Women's Day, and Halloween. This innovative approach aims to create shared community experiences around meaningful occasions.
Ms Smith expressed optimism about Newcastle's cinema-going culture, noting that the recent success of Tower Cinemas - which has attracted strong crowds since opening in November 2025 - demonstrates that local audiences still value communal movie experiences. "Different venues offer different experiences, but the appetite for community and connection is clearly still there," she observed.
Industry Support and Recognition
The Regal's return coincides with significant industry recognition for its supporters. Director Bruce Beresford, whose latest film The Travellers is nominated for multiple AACTA Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, will receive the academy's highest honour - the 2026 Longford Lyell Award.
Mr Merryman, who will moderate an AACTA Festival event titled "In Conversation with Bruce Beresford," highlighted the director's connection to the Regal. "In addition to being an international treasure, Bruce is a friend of the Regal," he said, noting Beresford has attended screenings of his films Black Robe, Paradise Road, and Mr. Church at the cinema.
Beresford himself emphasized the importance of venues like the Regal, stating: "They remind us that film isn't just content - it's a shared experience, and regional audiences have always been among the most thoughtful and responsive I've encountered. I'm delighted to see the Regal entering a new chapter."
A Growing Independent Cinema Scene
The Regal Cinema will become the second independent cinema to reopen in Newcastle in as many years, joining Tower Cinemas in revitalizing the city's film culture. This dual revival suggests a renewed appreciation for intimate, community-focused cinematic experiences in an era dominated by streaming services and multiplex theaters.
As Newcastle prepares to welcome back this historic venue, the Regal Cinema's operators are focused on creating a space that honors film as both art and community connector, ensuring the big screen experience remains vibrant in Australia's regional cultural landscape.
