Dendy Cinemas

Dendy Cinema Pty Limited
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Cinema chain
Founded	1940
Founder	Bert Ward
Headquarters	Australia
Area served	Sydney, Canberra, Gold Coast, Brisbane
Parent	Dendy Icon Group

Dendy Cinema Pty Limited is a cinema chain based in Australia, managing multiplex theaters across Sydney, Canberra, the Gold Coast, and Brisbane. It functions as a subsidiary under the Dendy Icon Group, which also controls Icon Productions, Icon Film Distribution, and Icon Film Finance.

Ownership history

The Dendy brand traces its roots back to Melbourne with the establishment of the Dendy Theatre in Middle Brighton in 1940. Founded by Bert Ward (circa 1907), his cinematic expertise was later handed down to his son Robert Ward (who passed away in 2017). Under Robert's leadership, the Dendy name expanded beyond Melbourne’s central business district into suburban areas and other states. In 1967, Robert Ward collaborated with Mark Josem to create Filmways Australasian Distributors, specializing in arthouse film distribution tailored to independent cinemas.

By 1971, Dendy stood as Australia's sole independent cinema chain, operating venues such as Brighton, Sandringham Drive-In, Gala Cinema at Dandenong, and Forest Hill Theatre. That year also saw the inauguration of a new Dendy Cinema in Malvern. By 1977, the chain had established locations in Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, and various parts of Melbourne. The Dendy Martin Place venue commenced operations in Sydney around 1981.

In December 1997, the Becker Group acquired Dendy Cinemas and assumed management responsibilities in 1998. Ownership transferred to Prime Media Group in 2007 when it took control of Becker Group, including Dendy Cinemas. After an unsuccessful attempt to acquire the Hoyts chain that same year, Prime contemplated divesting from Dendy Cinemas.

In 2008, Icon Film Distribution—owned by Mel Gibson—purchased Dendy Cinemas from Prime for $21 million. At that point, Dendy was recognized as Australia's leading independent film distributor and arthouse cinema operator. Prior plans by Becker Group had involved selling its cinema assets back to the Becker family.

, the official Icon Productions website identifies the Dendy Icon Group as encompassing Icon Productions, Icon Film Distribution, Dendy Cinemas, and Icon Film Finance.

Sydney

The single-screen Dendy Martin Place cinema opened its doors in 1981 with Stepping Out, a documentary directed by Chris Noonan. Owned by Barbara Grummells and Fred O'Brien at launch, it adopted the tagline "From tart house to art house". By September 2003, as one of Sydney's last remaining single-screen theaters, it ceased operations following a screening of Reservoir Dogs, with redevelopment plans for retail and commercial use at the MLC Centre location. Around this time, the single-screen Dendy George Street had also closed. Meanwhile, Dendy continued running several multiplex cinemas including Dendy Opera Quays and Dendy Newtown within Sydney along with venues in Byron Bay, Brisbane, and Melbourne.

Dendy permanently shut its Circular Quay cinema on 26 February 2020 after deciding against renewing its lease agreement.

By 2021, the sole remaining Dendy cinema operating within Sydney was located in Newtown.

Brisbane

In 1990, Lyn McCarthy and Graham Tubbenhauer launched a Dendy Cinema on Edward Street. Four years later in 1994, they expanded by acquiring The George on George Street in Brisbane and adding a second screen. This two-screen facility closed its doors in 2008.

Dendy inaugurated a cinema at Portside Wharf situated in Hamilton in 2006.

In 2015, Dendy committed to a long-term arrangement by signing a 15-year lease to operate a ten-theatre complex within Coorparoo Square located in Brisbane’s inner southeastern region.

Byron Bay

From 2002 until 2012, Dendy managed a cinema complex in Byron Bay, after which the venue was acquired by the Palace cinema group.

Canberra

In 2005, Electric Shadows cinema in Canberra collaborated with Dendy Cinemas to establish a nine-screen venue within the Canberra Centre. This facility, encompassing 4,000 square meters and seating 1,600 patrons, officially opened just before Christmas 2006. A proposal in 2015 aimed to expand the Canberra location by adding six additional screens, which would result in a reduction of approximately 100 parking spaces.

Southport

Located in Southport on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Dendy Southport commenced operations in 2022 as part of the newly developed Queen Street Village precinct.

Current locations

As of January 2025, Dendy runs cinemas at Newtown (Sydney), Canberra, and Southport (Gold Coast), alongside Brisbane venues including Coorparoo, Portside, and the open-air Dendy Powerhouse situated in New Farm Park.

Dendy Cinema Pty Ltd has been officially registered in New South Wales since June 2000.

Dendy Direct

Dendy introduced Dendy Direct in 2014, an online platform for movie rentals and purchases. However, this service was terminated on 14 May 2018 due to rising competition from streaming services such as Netflix and Stan.

External links