Follow Spanish Immigration and Life in Spain: The Spanish film industry is in decline, as evidenced by the closure of many historic cinemas that have been in operation for nearly a century. Over 50 historic cinemas in Madrid have closed in the past two years, with many of these closures occurring in prime locations such as Gran Via, Fuencarral, and Bravo Murillo.
This past Monday, the 80-year-old cinema Cines Renoir de Cuatro Caminos announced its closure. Factors such as piracy, the economic crisis, rising VAT, and changes in social entertainment habits have all contributed to the closure of cinemas. Currently, in the capital Madrid, more than 500 cinemas that have been in operation since the 1970s have dwindled to just over 30.
In the last decade, the Madrid Cinema Association has launched a "Save the Cinema" campaign, encouraging people to return to theaters, and cinemas have offered various promotions. However, it has ultimately been insufficient. Major cinemas have had to pivot; the former REX cinema has become a Burger King, the former AVENIDA cinema has turned into a shopping mall, and the former POMPEYA cinema has transformed into a bar!
Most of the closed cinemas have eventually become sales buildings for certain brands or small commercial centers. The declining film industry seems unable to recover, and with national subsidies continually being reduced, the Spanish film industry is on the brink of extinction.