Iconic Wiesbaden cinema closes after 35 years of film history
The Thalia/Hollywood cinema on Kirchgasse in Wiesbaden has shut its doors after 35 years. The venue, which hosted over 4.5 million visitors, closed on Wednesday due to declining audience numbers. Its operator cited ongoing struggles in Germany's post-pandemic cinema market as the key reason.
The cinema first opened in 1989 and featured two screens with a combined total of 786 seats. Over the decades, it became a well-known spot for filmgoers in the city. However, attendance never fully rebounded after COVID-19 restrictions lifted, mirroring broader trends across the country.
Marc Ewert of Filmtheaterbetriebe Ewert, a subsidiary of the Cineplex Group, confirmed the closure. He pointed to persistent consumer caution and weaker demand as the main factors behind the decision. Despite this shutdown, the Cineplex Group will continue running two other cinemas in Wiesbaden. The Arkaden on Bleichstraße, with 535 seats, and the Apollo Center on Moritzstraße, with 656 seats, remain open. No further Cineplex-operated venues exist in the city.
The closure leaves Wiesbaden with two fewer screens and nearly 800 fewer seats for moviegoers. The Cineplex Group has not announced plans to replace the Thalia/Hollywood site. The company's remaining cinemas will now serve as the primary options for local audiences.
