Famous Players

Famous Players Limited Partnership
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Film exhibition, Cable television
Founded	1920
Founder	Nathan Nathanson
Fate	Acquired by Cineplex Galaxy LP in 2005; brand phased out by 2022 except SilverCity
Successor	Cineplex Cinemas (brand)
Headquarters	Canada, Canada
Area served	Canada
Key people	John Bailey (former chairman)
Products	Movie theatres, cable television services (historically)
Owner	Cineplex Entertainment
Parent	Cineplex Entertainment

Famous Players Limited Partnership functioned as a Canadian division of Cineplex Entertainment. Initially established as an autonomous film exhibitor and cable television provider, Famous Players managed a wide network of cinemas across Canada, spanning from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador. Founded in 1920, the company was once owned by Viacom Canada before its acquisition by Cineplex Galaxy LP (currently known as Cineplex Entertainment) in 2005.

The Famous Players name, along with its associated sub-brands, continued to be used at most locations until 2022, when Cineplex transitioned these venues to the "Cineplex Cinemas" brand, although the SilverCity label remains in use. Prior to this rebranding, Famous Players operated theatres under several key banners: SilverCity, Paramount, Coliseum, and Colossus.

Origins

The roots of Famous Players Canadian Corporation can be traced back to the Famous Players Film Company (which later became Paramount Pictures), established in 1912. Its entry into the Canadian market occurred in 1920 through the acquisition of Nathan Nathanson’s Paramount Theatre chain, with Nathanson appointed as the inaugural president of Famous Players Canadian Corporation Limited. The company expanded rapidly by acquiring Allen Theatres in 1923, significantly growing its theatre holdings. As a fully owned subsidiary of Paramount Communications, Famous Players became part of Viacom’s portfolio following its 1994 acquisition. Prominent theatres under its management included Toronto’s Imperial and Uptown, as well as Vancouver’s Capitol, Orpheum, Stanley, and Strand.

Beginning with just 13 theatres across Ontario and British Columbia, the company expanded to operate 100 locations by 1926 and continued this growth trajectory into the 1950s. In 1952, Famous Players invested in emerging technology by securing rights to a coin-operated system connected to television sets. The following year marked its entry into broadcasting with the purchase of CKCO-TV in Kitchener and CFCM-TV in Quebec City.

By the late 1950s, Famous Players had begun acquiring cable television companies to broaden its distribution capabilities. In 1971, it divested most of its movie theatre and non-broadcast entertainment assets to Gulf + Western Canada and rebranded itself as Canadian Cablesystems Limited, concentrating on cable operations such as Metro Cable in Toronto. This entity was later acquired by Rogers Cablesystems in 1978.

A significant moment occurred in 1986 when Famous Players allowed the lease on Toronto’s Imperial Six theatre entrance to expire; Cineplex assumed the lease and subsequently purchased the property under the stipulation that it cease film screenings. Cineplex transformed the venue into a live performance space—renaming it Pantages Theatre—which hosted The Phantom of the Opera for ten years before being renamed Canon Theatre in 2001 and later Ed Mirvish Theatre in 2011, honoring a prominent Toronto theatre impresario and competitor of live theatre magnate Drabinsky.

Expansion and obstacles

Throughout the 1990s, Famous Players continued to grow its presence.

In 1993, Barbara Turnbull lodged a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission regarding accessibility shortcomings at Famous Players cinemas; although the commission ruled in her favor in 2001, two affected theatres were closed rather than upgraded for accessibility.

Chairman John Bailey spearheaded a modernization effort from 1996 through 2003 that introduced "megaplex" venues featuring stadium seating, including brands such as SilverCity and Coliseum, which also incorporated amenities like food courts and video gaming areas. During this period, AMC Theatres entered the Canadian marketplace, intensifying competition amid weakening traditional studio affiliations among leading chains.

Famous Players once operated drive-in theatres; however, most were replaced with newer facilities over time. Up until 2004, it also maintained theatres in the Maritimes, which were eventually sold to regional operator Empire Theatres.

Acquisition by Cineplex Galaxy and subsequent developments

In February 2005, Viacom declared its intention to sell Famous Players for $400 million. By June 2005, Cineplex Galaxy, under the control of Onex Corporation, purchased Famous Players for CA$500 million (approximately US$397 million), finalizing the transaction on July 22. To comply with antitrust regulations, Cineplex divested 27 theatre locations across Ontario and western Canada to Empire Theatres on August 22, 2005. When Empire exited the Atlantic Canadian market in 2013, Cineplex reacquired several former Famous Players venues in that region.

In December 2019, UK-based Cineworld announced plans to acquire Cineplex Entertainment—which by then included 47 theatres formerly operated by Famous Players—positioning it as one of North America's largest cinema chains alongside Regal Cinemas. Cineworld projected $120 million in savings and revenue enhancements through operational integration and a subscription model akin to Regal’s service. However, this acquisition fell through in June 2020 due to breaches of agreement terms and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.

By January 2023, only three cinemas continued to operate under the Famous Players name—in LaSalle, Prince George, and Prince Rupert. The company Famous Players LP remains active as a subsidiary within Cineplex’s corporate structure.

Famous Players cinemas

At its height in 2003, Famous Players managed 101 theatres comprising 882 screens, predominantly branded under its own name. As of July 2025, just two Famous Players theatres remain operational:

Cinéma Famous Players Carrefour Angrignon (LaSalle, QC)
Famous Players 6 Cinemas (Prince George, BC)

The last two Ontario locations were situated in Pickering and Toronto. The Pickering Town Centre theatre, originally opened in 1989 and renovated in 1998, ceased operations in 2018. It was succeeded by Cineplex Cinemas Pickering and VIP, which features UltraAVX auditoriums, an Xscape Entertainment Centre, and a VIP lounge. The Canada Square Cinemas in Toronto—acquired by Famous Players in 2001 and initially a Cineplex Odeon since 1985—closed on October 24, 2021 after Cineplex shifted its focus to the nearby SilverCity Yonge-Eglinton venue.

In Manitoba, Kildonan Place Cinemas operated from its opening in 1989 until closing on December 5, 2022. It was replaced three days later by Cineplex Junxion Kildonan Place, marking Cineplex’s inaugural Junxion location within Canada.

In British Columbia, the Prince Rupert theatre—opened on April 8, 1982—closed on June 15, 2025, making it one of the final remaining Famous Players cinemas in the province.

SilverCity and StarCité

Cineplex currently manages twelve SilverCity cinemas outside Quebec along with two StarCité locations situated in Gatineau and Montreal. The inaugural SilverCity opened its doors in St. Catharines in November 1997; the first StarCité debuted in Gatineau in December 1999. Both brands reached their peak with 29 locations by early 2001. Following their acquisition in 2005, Cineplex sold five SilverCity and two StarCité theatres in 2006 as part of regulatory compliance but later reacquired two previously sold sites: Empress Walk and Gatineau. Additionally, three new SilverCity venues were launched, including CrossIron Mills which opened on June 30, 2010.

Typical SilverCity locations feature between seven and nineteen screens—commonly around twelve—including one to three premium large-format auditoriums such as IMAX or UltraAVX. Several SilverCity theatres and the StarCité Montréal site also house Xscape arcades. Older SilverCity complexes built by Famous Players exhibit a rectangular layout with distinctive thematic decor; newer constructions adopt the standardized red and silver color scheme associated with Cineplex Odeon/Galaxy Cinemas.

To date, a total of thirty-two SilverCity and StarCité venues have been established; more than half have since closed or undergone rebranding. Notably, the original St. Catharines SilverCity was sold to Empire Theatres in 2005; the Mississauga location shuttered on May 1, 2014. The StarCité Sainte-Foy theatre operated from April 2000 until February 2007 before closing due to competition from a nearby Cineplex Odeon.

Three former SilverCity locations have been converted into Scotiabank Theatres: West Edmonton Mall (May 2, 2007), Ottawa, and Polo Park Winnipeg (both rebranded in June 2016).

Coliseum

Originally developed by Famous Players, five sizable suburban theatres operated under the Coliseum () brand, distinguished by their circular frontages and wedge-shaped auditoriums arranged over two levels. The inaugural venue launched in Mississauga on May 16, 1997, followed by openings in Calgary in 1998, and Ottawa, Scarborough, and Kirkland in 1999. Cineplex acquired four of these five Coliseum locations in 2005 and subsequently rebranded them as Cineplex Cinemas.

Each of the Ottawa, Scarborough, and Kirkland theatres houses 12 screens, including one UltraAVX auditorium; Scarborough additionally offers a D-Box theatre along with a second UltraAVX screen. The Mississauga site features 13 screens equipped with both 70 mm film and digital IMAX technologies as well as an AVX auditorium. Calgary’s Coliseum contains 10 screens and includes The Extra Experience by Landmark, serving as a competitor to UltraAVX. All venues incorporate Xscape Entertainment Centres, which have replaced older arcade facilities.

The former Coliseum Shawnessy location in Calgary was purchased by Empire Theatres in 2005, rebranded as Studio 10, underwent interior renovations, and was later sold to Landmark Cinemas in 2013. Both Ottawa and Calgary sites now provide fully reclining leather seating throughout all auditoriums.

Colossus

Famous Players operated three larger venues under the Colossus Cinemas name—these were rebranded as Cineplex Cinemas in 2015. These theatres are more expansive than the Coliseum locations and are characterized by a UFO-inspired structure atop the lobby, featuring lighting effects resembling afterburners. The original alien-themed ticketing kiosks have since been replaced with standard Cineplex units.

Designed to serve suburban markets and compete against AMC Theatres’ Canadian presence, each Colossus facility offers 19 screens (except Laval with 18), including Real D 3D on 7–8 screens, one or two UltraAVX auditoriums, a single D-Box theatre, and IMAX at all sites except Laval. Vaughan and Langley locations feature licensed lounges branded as "The Pod."

All Colossus theatres integrate Xscape Entertainment Centres that have superseded older arcade setups. The first Colossus opened on February 12, 1999, in Vaughan, Ontario—home to Ontario’s inaugural IMAX 3D screen. Langley followed with its opening on May 19, 1999; both venues have provided IMAX 70 mm film presentations since July 2017. The final Colossus location opened on November 17, 2000, in Laval, Quebec.

Other theatres

Prior to merging with Cineplex, Famous Players managed five distinct theatre brands: Famous Players, SilverCity (), Coliseum (), Colossus Cinemas, and Paramount Theatre. Following the merger, Cineplex retained only the first two brands—Famous Players and SilverCity—comprising a total of 20 locations as of 2019. Coliseum and Colossus theatres were rebranded under the Cineplex Cinemas banner while maintaining their original characteristics. Since 2007, Paramount theatres have been operated under the Scotiabank Theatre brand.

In addition, Landmark Cinemas acquired numerous former Famous Players theatres that had previously been managed by Empire Theatres.

Many venues offered Pepsi beverages alongside popcorn, complemented by food outlets such as Burger King, New York Fries, Wetzel's Pretzels, Taco Bell, TCBY, Baskin Robbins, and Starbucks. Over time, these were largely replaced with Coca-Cola products and Outtakes eateries; however, some locations continue to feature Starbucks.

Television stations

CKCO-TV – located in Kitchener, Ontario
CFCM-TV – based in Quebec City, Quebec
CKMI-TV – serving Quebec City, Quebec and Montreal, Quebec

External links

Official Famous Players Theatres site (redirects to Cineplex’s website)
Partial list of Famous Players theatres