Nu Metro Cinemas has been one of South Africa’s leading cinema circuits since the first Metro Theatre opened in Johannesburg over in 1932, with the cinema exhibition company currently operating world-class cineplexes across South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.
Nu Metro is committed to development strategies primarily influenced by a policy of continuous innovation and being the industry leader – with the ultimate goal of delivering superior quality experiences for cinemagoers.
Our specialised approach includes using only the latest in cutting-edge technology, cinema equipment, design and other features placing us on a higher tier of quality compared to other industry players. At Nu Metro, it’s all about being ahead of trends and delivering far beyond expectations.
In 2014, Nu Metro began introducing spectacular Xtreme and VIP experiences at select cineplexes nationwide. Xtreme features impeccable Dolby Atmos/Auro 11.1 surround sound, creating a monumental movie experience. Complemented by RealD’s new Precision White Screen technology, world class digital 3D technology and 4K Ultra High Definition projection, Nu Metro Xtreme offers movie experiences the way they were intended by directors. Xtreme at Nu Metro Canal Walk and Ballito Junction boast the largest screens in those regions, along with Xtreme Canal Walk being South Africa’s first-ever laser projection cinema
VIP upgrades the Nu Metro experience with luxurious recliner seating, a VIP lounge/bar and an à la carte menu. This offers moviegoers the ultimate extravagant experience, and a chance to be treated to luxury.
Nu Metro’s 4DX cinemas encompass a full sensory, innovative movie experience where on-screen action is amplified by advanced motion seats and ambient effects – such as wind, water spray, air shots, fog, and lightning. The first ever 4DX cinema in Africa was opened by Nu Metro at the V&A Waterfront in December 2015, followed by openings at The Pavilion, Hyde Park, Menlyn Park, and Emperors Palace in 2016 and 2017. Nu Metro Cornubia Mall launched Africa’s 6th 4DX cinema in September 2017
Along with our commitment to delivering all major local and international movie entertainment, Nu Metro also strives to screen alternative/specialist content such as live music, comedy, and theatre shows on the big screen. Its own content is also acquired independently, for exclusive distribution via its nationwide chain of cinemas. These include events featuring live comedy and specialised content premières.
Nu Metro strives to offer unrivalled cinema experiences with regular talent visits by movie stars, fun competitions, exclusive promotions, exciting marketing activations in cinema as well as popular pre-release screening events such as “Girls’ Night Out.” Additionally, our corporate event and birthday party facilities always make for an unforgettable celebration
The first Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio opens in Johannesburg - the largest four-wall cinema in South Africa with a seating capacity of 2800. The Metro Theatre goes on to become the leading social gathering place for Johannesburg cinemagoers who had never seen luxury before. The awesome splendour and size of the auditorium have never been equalled in South African history fora single screen cinema.
The oldest still-operating Nu Metro cinema complex opens in Bedfordview, with two cinemas – each with 390 seats.
Johannesburg’s original Metro Theatre is demolished.
The company name changes from Metro Theatres to Nu Metro Theatres on the 19th of February.
The first film to feature digital audio, Jurassic Park, plays at Nu Metro Bedfordview in DTS. Themovie plays from film, with 6-channel audio coming from a CD-ROM disc.
The first DCP-compliant digital screen goes live at Nu Metro Montecasino, with the animated movie Happy Feet.
The company name changes from Nu Metro Theatres to Nu Metro Cinemas.
The new company logo launches on the 19th of February.
Africa’s first all-digital cinema complex opens at Nu Metro Emperors Palace.
All cinema complexes convert to DCP-compliant digital screens.
Selected cinemas in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban are equipped with Barco’s Auro immersive sound system – a première for Africa.
KZN-based private equity company OneFiftyCapital becomes the new owner of Nu Metro Cinemas, after purchasing the company from the Times Media Group.
Xtreme cinemas open at Nu Metro The Glen and Menlyn Park.
The first-ever 4DX cinema in Africa opens at Nu Metro V&A Waterfront.
More 4DX cinemas open at Nu Metro The Pavillion, Hyde Park, Menlyn Park and Emperors Palace.
The first Nu Metro to house all of our experiences (2D/3D, VIP, Xtreme and 4DX) opens at Cornubia Mall.
Africa’s 6th 4DX cinema launches at Nu Metro Cornubia Mall.
Absa, one of the largest banks in South Africa, offers a range of retail, business, corporate and investment banking through wealth-management products and services throughout South Africa and Africa. Absa Rewards is a revolutionary loyalty programme that rewards members whenever they use their Absa Debit, Cheque or Credit cards with discounts on partner products and services and monthly cash-back rewards. At Nu Metro, customers benefit from a 50% discount on movie tickets.
Momentum provides financial wellness products and services in South Africa. Multiply, Momentum’s wellness and rewards programme, aims to encourage members to reach various goals by rewarding their progress each step of the way. Multiply members receive rewards in the form of discounts on Momentum products, as well as with a variety of partners. The Nu Metro benefit is offered as a lifestyle reward, with movie ticket discounts offered to Multiply members based on a tier system.
Edcon know that shoppers have a choice. So when customers choose Edcon, they are rewarded as a ‘thank you’ with points, special promotions, and with a card that gives them access to the widest range of stores in the country.
Nedbank has positioned itself in the market as money experts who do good, see money differently and challenge customers to do the same. Nedbank wants to enable customers to live their lives without the hassle of money being their stumbling block. At Nu Metro, customers benefit from a 50% discount on movie tickets and confectionary purchases.
Sanlam is one of South Africa’s largest financial services groups and offers a range of services. Sanlam Reality is a lifestyle and rewards programme available to all Sanlam and Santam clients as well as members from various affiliate service providers. Members get special offers on selected products, and are rewarded for financially responsible behaviour by earning points. When purchasing at Nu Metro, members receive discounted rates on ticket and confectionery purchases.
Nu Metro is extremely passionate about engaging with the surrounding local communities and providing support to those in need. Our employees regularly attend local events which promote the communities in which we all collectively participate. We are proud of our commitment to support the community and are delighted to contribute towards a variety of worthwhile causes.
Nu Metro Cinemas donated over R50000 to the FOUR PAWS Animal Welfare Foundation in 2019 - to“Rise Up and Roar” for one of the 21st century’s most important conservation causes. A donation drive was launched where cinema goers could donate R5 as part of their Nu Metro movie ticket purchase to raise money to help save South Africa’s lions.
Nu Metro has also embarked on numerous partnerships with the SPCA – including the set-up of collection points in cinemas for non-perishable food and other items donated to take care of animals in need during winter months.
Apart from environmental fundraising, Nu Metro has been actively participating in and supporting film projects aimed at raising social consciousness around topical social causes – such as the exclusive release of the film detailing the true story of rape survivor ALISON. Various fundraising and activist-orientated screenings were hosted by Nu Metro to broadcast the story of hope and female empowerment embodied by the film to all South Africans – in an effort the break the stigmas around rape victims, but to also take a firm stand against gender-based violence.
Nu Metro’s vision for maintaining a sustainable and responsible environmental footprint is to be considered one of our most important endeavours. Throughout the years, we have begun to implement a number of initiatives towards manufacturing our materials from sustainable or recycled resources. Recycled straws form a large part of this first step, and we are passionate about including many more environmentally responsible products to our initiative in the future.
Nu Metro is passionate about and committed to providing adequate facilities to all moviegoers who visit our cinemas. A large part of this includes making facilities available that are accessible to individuals with disabilities, such as our wheelchair-friendly cinemas. We also proudly train our staff to assist guests with disabilities when needed, ensuring that everyone will enjoy their ultimate movie experience with us.
Nu Metro strives to create an all-inclusive vibrant culture in which to celebrate diversity. Each of our employees form an essential part of the Nu Metro family and together we make every effort to place growth and development at the centre of our focus. We celebrate our diverse workforce and our foundation is built on our code of conduct that clearly stipulates a zero tolerance towards any acts of discrimination based on race, gender, nationality, disability, religion or age.
Great thought is always given when considering the way our offerings and brand are presented to the community. We make sure to exclude deceptive, irresponsible, unethical, unlawful or damaging content. It is important that our content is conveyed to customers in a manner that suits their language, age and social needs.
Particular care is given in the case of marketing to children, and we are dedicated to fair and moral marketing practices. By carrying out our promises and supporting every message we convey, we have established confidence with our customers. When training our employees in marketing, we ensure that a variety of issues are covered. These include moral and trustworthy conduct in advertising, product marketing and sales promotion
The matter of customer privacy is of the highest importance to Nu Metro, and we take every precaution to closely safeguard this privacy and the information of our customers. We make sure to uphold all of the regulations, rules, laws, and internal procedures associated with privacy. Information security on our customer databases is carefully maintained and the sharing of customer information with outside parties is strictly forbidden.
The Nu Metro workforce is filled with unique individuals possessing the essential attitude needed to create a high performing culture based on our 8 guiding principles:
Nu Metro values the creation of context to ensure a common ground for all employees to buy into. Our success is based on our commitment to collaborate within and between all teams. We are fast to act and adapt as the market changes to ensure that we meet customer expectations. Through our open communication we debate, agree and disagree until we all commit to one solution.
We firmly believe in the concept of Sisonke (Us Together), which is also the name of our internal Workplace Forum. These Sisonke representatives are elected by employees and play a vital role in improving the communication between the management team and employees at each site. We celebrate our employees on a variety of matters, ranging from their excellent service delivery to their birthdays.
“Us Together” – Sisonke! Team work makes the dream work.