‘Black Panther’ Becomes First Film to Release in Saudi Arabia in 35 Years

Photo Credit: Marvel Studios

Marvel’s Black Panther just keeps breaking records!

Earlier this week, the super hero film became the fourth highest-grossing film of all time. Today, Disney announced that the movie, which has racked in a cool $1.2 billion thus far, will be hitting theaters in Saudi Arabi. This move will make the film the country’s first movie release in 35 years.

This historic move will take place April 18 under the reign of new Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who’s trying to transition the country into a more forward-thinking and progressive society. 

The Marvel saga will premiere in a new AMC-branded theater in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District. The theater has more than 600 leather seats — on orchestra and balcony levels — and marble bathrooms.

Variety reports that AMC Entertainment expects to open 40 additional movie houses in Saudi Arabia in the next five years, and up to 100 additional theaters by 2030. 

“Some analysts expect that Saudi Arabia could eventually produce $1 billion in revenues and be among the top 10 markets for theatrical revenues,” says Variety. “AMC and the Development and Investment Entertainment Company, which issued the license for AMC to operate, have said their goal is to achieve approximately a 50% market share of the Saudi Arabian movie theater industry.”