Regal Cinemas has brought an abrupt end to its South Jersey operations, shuttering a beloved retro-styled theater that had been a staple of the community for over three decades. The iconic Regal Cross Keys Stadium 12, with its distinctive Art Deco facade, closed on January 29th, leaving customers in the dark about the future of this cherished local institution.
According to reports, the decision was made without warning, and an email sent to customers revealed that the last day of operations had been fixed for Thursday. The website's landing page now displays an error message, a stark contrast to the excitement and promise it once held. A grand opening in 1994, featuring big-screen releases like "The Lion King" and "Forrest Gump," was the perfect setup for what would become a beloved local landmark.
While another Regal cinema nearby remains open, the closure marks a significant blow to a community that had grown accustomed to the theater's presence. Cinema Treasures, a site dedicated to preserving movie history, has captured many photos of the theater over the years, including one from its opening day in 1994, which proudly touts it as "a luxurious new movie entertainment center."
Regal's parent company, Cineworld, filed for bankruptcy in 2023, citing declining box office sales due to the pandemic. The theater closure is part of a broader trend across the industry, with many cinemas struggling to adapt to changing consumer habits and rising content costs.
As the movie-going public continues to grapple with the aftermath of the pandemic, projections suggest that it may take years for the industry to regain pre-pandemic revenue levels. According to PwC's latest estimates, total cinema revenue in the US is unlikely to reach 2019 levels until 2030. With many theaters raising ticket prices and facing stiff competition from streaming platforms, the long-term future of Regal Cross Keys Stadium 12, and countless other cinemas like it, remains uncertain.
According to reports, the decision was made without warning, and an email sent to customers revealed that the last day of operations had been fixed for Thursday. The website's landing page now displays an error message, a stark contrast to the excitement and promise it once held. A grand opening in 1994, featuring big-screen releases like "The Lion King" and "Forrest Gump," was the perfect setup for what would become a beloved local landmark.
While another Regal cinema nearby remains open, the closure marks a significant blow to a community that had grown accustomed to the theater's presence. Cinema Treasures, a site dedicated to preserving movie history, has captured many photos of the theater over the years, including one from its opening day in 1994, which proudly touts it as "a luxurious new movie entertainment center."
Regal's parent company, Cineworld, filed for bankruptcy in 2023, citing declining box office sales due to the pandemic. The theater closure is part of a broader trend across the industry, with many cinemas struggling to adapt to changing consumer habits and rising content costs.
As the movie-going public continues to grapple with the aftermath of the pandemic, projections suggest that it may take years for the industry to regain pre-pandemic revenue levels. According to PwC's latest estimates, total cinema revenue in the US is unlikely to reach 2019 levels until 2030. With many theaters raising ticket prices and facing stiff competition from streaming platforms, the long-term future of Regal Cross Keys Stadium 12, and countless other cinemas like it, remains uncertain.
, just found out that Regal Cross Keys Stadium 12 closed down for good 
. been a staple in the community for over 30 years, it's crazy to think it's no more 
. i remember when my parents took me there to watch "The Lion King" back in '94, it was such an iconic experience 
. now, cineworld's parent company filed for bankruptcy and cinemas are struggling big time 
. don't know what the future holds for this beloved theater, but one thing's for sure, we'll miss it 
.
It's not just about a building or a company anymore, it's about preserving the culture and community we build around cinemas. 
The Art Deco facade was always my fave part, such a unique touch that made it stand out from all the other theaters. I'm definitely gonna miss that place... 
And now the website is all messed up... it's like they just vanished into thin air 
. I'm glad Cinema Treasures has those photos though, they're so cool! 
We should totally start a petition to save Regal Cross Keys Stadium 12 or something 
. It's not just about that one theatre, it's about the community feeling that's lost when these places close down 
always loved that retro Art Deco facade 
never thought I'd see the day when it would be closed 
. remember going there with friends to watch new releases like The Lion King 
now it's just a memory 
. feels like cinemas are struggling to adapt to the pandemic 
and streaming is taking over 
not sure what the future holds for independent theaters like this one 
And now, the website's down and there's no closure date to look forward to... what even is Cineworld doing?! 
i remember going there as a kid to watch "the lion king" back in 1994 
i'm not sure what's gonna happen next, but i hope it doesn't stay closed forever 
The website should be updated ASAP so people know what's happening! 
What happened to Regal Cross Keys Stadium 12? Was it just one of those random closures? 
but still, can't believe they're shutting down a beloved local institution like this without even a proper goodbye 
It's not just about the movies, you know? It's about the experience and the memories you make there with friends and family 
. And now they're closing down another Regal cinema? It's like they're trying to test the waters or something. What's really going on here? Are they getting rid of all these old-school cinemas to make way for more modern ones that can compete with streaming services? Or is it just a matter of profits being prioritized over community institutions? I'm not buying it 
...
for places that brought us joy in the past. It's disheartening to see a beloved institution like Regal Cinemas leave our communities, even if it's due to circumstances beyond their control 
.
If you're gonna shut down an iconic theater, at least have the decency to say something first 
I'm not surprised though, with Cineworld filing for bankruptcy and all 
The pandemic has definitely changed the way we consume movies 
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cinema treasures should've been more proactive in preserving this theatre's history... what a waste 
...