MJR Theatres
| Formerly | Union |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1980 in Royal Oak, Michigan |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 10 |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Mike Mihalich (founder) Erwin Six (Kinepolis Integration Support Manager) |
| Owner | Kinepolis |
Number of employees | 700 (2019)[1] |
| Website | www |
MJR Theatres is a Bloomfield Hills, Michigan-based cinema chain. A subsidiary of Kinepolis, it owns 10 theaters in the Metro Detroit area, operating around 160 screens.
History
MJR Theatres was created in 1980 by Mike Mihalich with the acquisition of Main Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan. Main Theatre was sold in 1997 and later demolished to make way for a new mixed-use development. The name MJR was taken from their original slogan Movies Just Right. During the 1980s and 1990s, the company purchased several theaters and drive-ins in Michigan. Following their acquisitions, the company started building their own multiplex cinemas, with the first opening in Adrian, Michigan in 1990. In order to finance the new cinemas, MJR sold some of its existing theaters and drive-ins.
During the 1990s, Luna Enterprises purchased an interest in the chain.
In 2014, MJR introduced a premium large format (PLF) known as "The Epic Experience", which uses a 65-foot screen and Dolby Atmos sound.[2]
In 2019, the chain was acquired for $152.25 million by Belgian exhibitor Kinepolis, This marked the chain's entry into the U.S. market, after having entered the Canadian market via its acquisition of Landmark Cinemas.[3]
After the acquisition, MJR began to deploy the Kinepolis "Laser Ultra" PLF (with renovated auditoriums adding reclining seats) in 2022,[4] and became part of Kinepolis's existing partnerships with CJ CGV and IMAX Corporation, including opening a new IMAX with Laser auditorium with reclining seats at the Southgate location in 2023,[5][6] and Michigan's first ScreenX auditorium at its Waterford location in June 2024.[7] Kinepolis would later acquire one of MJR's local competitors, Emagine Entertainment, in 2025.[8]
References
- ^ "Kinepolis Annual Report 2019" (PDF). Annual Report. Kinepolis. 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ "MJR Digital Cinemas' 'Epic Experience' Expands in Metro Detroit". DBusiness Magazine. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ Reindl, J. C. "MJR Digital Cinemas expected to keep name after being sold to Belgian company". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "MJR Theatres Expands Laser Ultra to MJR Westland Cinema In Wayne County, Michigan - Boxoffice". www.boxofficepro.com. 2024-03-18. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ Marini, Miriam. "MJR Southgate getting IMAX auditorium this fall". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (2023-05-17). "Imax To Triple France Footprint, Expands Partnership With Kinepolis In Europe & North America – Cannes". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Michigan's First ScreenX Auditorium to Open at MJR Theatres' Waterford Location - Boxoffice". www.boxofficepro.com. 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ Pevos, Edward (2025-11-04). "Belgian cinema chain buying Emagine theaters across the U.S. for $105 million". mlive. Retrieved 2026-02-17.