The Movie Masters Cinema Group
| Company type | Independent cinema multiplex chains |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cinema exhibition |
| Founded | 1932 (Grand Cinemas origins), 1950s (Ace Cinemas origins) |
| Founder | James Stiles (Grand Cinemas) |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Western Australia |
| Products | Movie theatres, Gold Lounge cinema experiences |
Grand Cinemas and Ace Cinemas are two independent cinema multiplex chains operating within Western Australia. They once collaborated under the collective name The Movie Masters, a partnership that concluded by 2022.
History
Formed in the 1990s, The Movie Masters Cinema Group was a joint venture between Ace Cinemas and Grand Cinemas designed to rival international cinema chains such as Greater Union and Hoyts.
Ace Cinemas
Ace Cinemas began in the 1950s under the name Australian Cinema Enterprises and was a pioneer in drive-in theatre operations throughout both urban and regional areas of Western Australia. In 1974, they introduced Perth’s inaugural multiplex cinema, the three-screen Cinecentre.
Grand Cinemas
The origins of Grand Cinemas trace back to 1932 when businessman James Stiles acquired the struggling Grand Theatre and established The Grand Theatre Company. Early holdings included several Perth venues like the Grand Theatre, Theatre Royal, and Fremantle’s Princess Theatre. In 1938, the company expanded by opening the Piccadilly Theatre and the heritage-listed Como Theatre. The business was renamed City Theatres in 1954, later becoming part of TVW in 1973, while Arthur Stiles continued to lead.
In 1980, the company launched the Cinema City complex in Perth, coinciding with the closure of the original Grand Theatre, which was eventually demolished in 1990. Cinema City was later operated by Hoyts until its demolition in 2008.
Starting from 1993, Grand Cinemas grew by establishing suburban cineplexes in Warwick (northern Perth), Bunbury (1996), Hillarys, and Joondalup—some locations were acquired from Greater Union. Ownership remained with the Stiles family as of 2022.
Due to financial difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Grand Cinemas entered administration in November 2022 and immediately shut down their Armadale and Joondalup venues. By December 2022, Hoyts purchased their remaining cinemas in Currambine, Warwick, and Bunbury, initially keeping the Grand branding before converting them to Hoyts branding early in 2023. Hoyts also reopened the former Joondalup cinema in April 2023. Meanwhile, Reading Cinemas took over and relaunched the Armadale location in January 2023.
Locations
The Movie Masters group exclusively served Western Australia.
Ace Cinemas
- Midland (Midland Gate, operated jointly with Hoyts)
- Rockingham (Rockingham Centre)
Previous locations
- Perth (Cinecentre, Cinema Capri, Cinema Paris)
- Subiaco
- Busselton (now managed by Orana Cinemas)
- Kalgoorlie (currently operated by Orana Cinemas)
Grand Cinemas
Previously managed venues included:
- Como Theatre (also known as Cygnet Cinema)
- Perth (Grand Theatre, Theatre Royal, Piccadilly Theatre, Cinema City)
- South Perth (Hurlingham Theatre)
- Fremantle (Princess Theatre)
- Hillarys (Westfield Whitford City, demolished and succeeded by Event Cinemas)
- Armadale (Armadale Central, now operated by Reading Cinemas)
- Joondalup (Lakeside Joondalup, currently Hoyts)
- Currambine (Currambine Central, now under Hoyts)
- Warwick (Warwick Grove, presently Hoyts)
- Bunbury (now managed by Hoyts)
Ace Cinemas Gold Lounge
Ace Cinemas provides an upscale Gold Lounge experience within the largest auditoriums located at Midland and Rockingham. Established during the opening of the Midland venue in the 1990s, this lounge includes exclusive access to a private area featuring a fully licensed bar alongside food and beverage service delivered directly to seats. Access is limited by Western Australian regulations, prohibiting entry to individuals under 18 unless accompanied by a guardian.
Grand Cinemas Gold Lounge
The inaugural Gold Lounge from Grand Cinemas debuted at Warwick in 2014, comprising two screens and an on-site bar. Two additional Gold Lounge auditoriums were introduced at Currambine in 2016. Following Hoyts' acquisition, both lounges underwent refurbishment and were rebranded as Hoyts LUX lounges in 2023.