Although Vancouver has witnessed the closure of numerous movie theatres over the past decade or so, Cineplex has been moving in a different direction by upgrading the moviegoing experience with new features.

In an interview at the new Cineplex Cinemas Park Royal and VIP at Park Royal Shopping Centre in West Vancouver, Cineplex communications executive director Sarah Van Lange explained to the Georgia Straight that they’ve been observing how people have been increasingly shifting towards searching for social experiences.

“We’re seeing more and more guests are gravitating towards experiences,” she said. “Just the way that we’re watching content has dramatically changed over the past few years so guests are looking for experiences that they can’t replicate at home.”

Consequently, Cineplex has not only improved elements such as seating but also launched adults-only VIP Cinemas sections in its theatres.

Cineplex opened their first VIP Cinemas in B.C. in Coquitlam in 2011, with an official grand opening in April 2012.

It was followed by a VIP Cinema at Marine Gateway which officially opened in March 2016.

Vancouver’s North Shore will get its first Cineplex theatre with VIP Cinemas this week its newest location opens tomorrow (April 3) at Park Royal Shopping Centre in West Vancouver. The 44,000-square-feet theatre is on par with the size of the Marine Gateway and Metropolis locations, according to Van Lange.

The theatre features luxury recliner seats in all of its 11 auditoriums, all of which can be reserved. Seven traditional auditoriums, accessible to all regular moviegoers, feature recliner seating. The largest auditorium boasts 212 seats, and other auditoriums range from about 50 to 150 seats. Additional features include UltraAVX and reclining D-BOX motion seats. 

Meanwhile, four of the auditoriums are dedicated to adults-only VIP Cinemas, in which moviegoers can order food and beverages, from a menu spanning salads and bowls to burgers and pizzas, delivered to their seats.

The VIP lounge, which Van Lange says is one of their largest, offers cocktails, wines, and craft beers before and after movie-watching (the auditoriums will become fully licensed within the next few months).

VIP auditorium seats include a tray table for food and beverages, arm rests that can be raised (for couples who want to snuggle), and chairs that fully recline (the headrest can be adjusted independently).

Van Lange said that some minor refinements have been made since the Coquitlam VIP Cinema launched, such as menu stands in front of the seats that also double as coat and purse racks.

The opening of the Park Royal theatre will replace the six-auditorium theatre Cineplex Cinemas Esplanade, which closes today (April 2) at 200 West Esplanade in North Vancouver.

Van Lange confirmed that Park and Tilford, which is dedicated to event-based cinema last autumn, will remain open.

Meanwhile, other new locations are on the horizon. Cineplex will open the food-and-entertainment Rec Room at Brentwood Town Centre in Burnaby later this year.

In September 2018, Cineplex announced that it will be opening 4D auditoriums as well as virtual-reality experiences, which Van Lange had confirmed that Vancouver is being considered for although no specific locations have been confirmed yet. She did confirm, however, that there is plenty more to look forward to so stay tuned.