Cinema Wars

The opening in Summer 2003 of the huge Mathäser cinema was bound to trigger some major changes in the Munich cinema landscape. The Mathäser with its 14 theatres and over 4,000 seats is by far Munich's largest cinema and serious competition for all the other smaller cinemas. The effects of this competition are now being felt. The Aircraft-Aeroport Cinema at Münchener Freiheit was the first victim of the competition - it closed on December 31st 2003. Next to fall will be the Karlstor cinema which is just a block away from the Mathäser. After 54 years of service the four theaters of the Karlstor will screen their last movies on 29th Febuary 2004. Most of the other cinemas in Munich, although not about to close, are now offering reductions in ticket prices as well as various special showings.

The "Aircraft-Aeroport" on Feilitzschstrasse near Münchener Freiheit was unique in the set up of its theatre. The seats were real airline seats taken from the business class of a Lufthansa aircraft. The cash desk was also the pilot capsule taken from a DC9. This cinema tried to build its own niche in the market by showing alternative films, not the mainstream blockbusters. Unfortunately, however, this wasn't enough to attact the customers and the Aeroport is now closed for good.

The Karlstor cinema has been hit particularly hard by the opening of the Mathäser. They have reported a massive 45% reduction in ticket sales. This is no doubt caused by their particularly close proximity to the Mathäser. Other cinemas haven't seen quite such a reduction in guests, but they are definitely feeling some effects. The Cinema MaxX on Isartor, for example, now has special offers which they call their "Mini-MaxX" cinema weeks. Tickets are €4.50 all day on Tuesdays and €6.50 on Wednesdays and Thursdays. This is compared to the normal price of €7.50 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Also Forum am Deutschen Museum / IMAX is showing many films at the reduced rate of €4. Their special offer is the "Happy Late Night" which is daily at 10pm for €4. Tuesdays and Wednesdays were always "Cinema Days" at €5, but now they've extended this to include Wednesdays and Thursdays until 6.30pm for the same price.

Cinema München in Neuhausen seems to have escaped relatively unscathed and is as popular as ever. They have built up a solid following amongst guests who prefer to see films in the original language and with top quality sound. Also, they have fairly recently started having specials such as the double (or even triple!) features, and the matinee film including breakfast.

The Marmorhaus Cinema say that they have seen a slight reduction in visitors since the Mathäser opened. But they're still in Schwabing and have no plans to close! Many of the Marmorhaus customers like to go there because it is a smaller, more intimate cinema and they want to get away from the masses. Marmorhaus also has advantages of being located in the center of Schwabing as well as having a strong base of loyal customers who have been going there since childhood.

Page created: 19.Jan.2004 - Edit