Among the most notable takeovers this year came at Durban's Gateway Theatre of Shopping, formerly Ster-Kinekor's flagship site, which Nu Metro reopened on 3 October 2025.
The reshuffle follows Ster-Kinekor's exit from business rescue two years ago and a wave of retrenchments and theatre closures in 2024.
While the company said it managed to limit job losses, it has continued shutting down sites in recent months.
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Ster-Kinekor once operated six theatres elsewhere in Africa, but now retains only two in Namibia.
Despite its shrinking footprint, Ster-Kinekor is staging a comeback, introducing new offerings to entice audiences back to the big screen.
The company's Throwback Cinema series, launched in May 2024, screens classic films at a discounted R50 per ticket - a move that has helped drive attendance.
This year, Ster-Kinekor has seen record attendance for Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning and the live-action Lilo & Stitch, while Imax screenings have doubled compared to any previous year.
As the country's two leading chains adjust to a changing entertainment landscape - shaped by streaming, shifting consumer habits, and post-pandemic economics - the race to capture the South African box office audience remains as fierce as ever.