Eng Wah Global

In 1946, Mr Goh Eng Wah and his partner in a business to import and screen Shanghai films, rented a performance stage at Happy World Amusement Park at Geylang, which were later renovated and opened as Victory Theatre.[2]

In the late 1960s, Mr Goh Eng Wah has formed Eng Wah Theatres Organisation Pte Ltd, expanded his cinema chain to Raffles Hotel (Jubilee Hall) (1966)and King's Theatre at Tiong Bahru (1968).

In the 1970s & 1980s, the cinema expanded into new HDB towns in Toa Payoh, Ang Mo Kio, Clementi and Kallang. The major expansion made Eng Wah hold its position as the leading film exhibitor and distributor.

In 1988, Eng Wah has clinched the operation rights for Marina Theatre, making its first debut in the downtown Singapore.[3]

In 7 July 1994, the cinema became the first operator to be listed in the SGX 1 as Eng Wah Organisation. At the same time, it also converts its single screen cinemas into entertainment centres at Clementi (1995), Ang Mo Kio (1996), Toa Payoh (1997) and formed a cineplex joint venture with Shaw to manage the 4 screen Lot 1 Cineplex at the Lot 1 Shoppers Mall in Choa Chu Kang (1996).[4]

In the late 1990s, the group again expanded its cinema chains to newer HDB towns in Bukit Batok (1998), Pasir Ris (1997) and Sembawang (2000). It also open its first cineplex in downtown at Suntec City (1998).[5]

In the early 2000s, it became the first cinema exhibitor in Singapore to implement an on-line loyalty programme named Friends of Eng Wah as well as providing the SMS-a-movie service (2002). Eng Wah is the first exhibitor outside of the United States to deploy a full 2K Digital Cinema system and first exhibitor in the world to commercially screen a full 2K-enabled digital movie. In addition, the group have the most 2K Digital Cineplex in the world (2004).[6]

In 2005, the group signed a deal with Crazy Horse but closed in 2007 due to poor patronage.[7]

In 2007, the cinema is one of the first showcase 4D Digital cinema technology with Spiderman 3 on 1 May 2007 at Suntec City.

In 2008, the group went through a reverse handover with Transcu and sold the properties to Mr Goh Eng Wah's company for $99.5 million.[8]

In early 2010s, the group announced to spend $100 million to revamp the cinemas and opens Hotel Fort Canning. Eng Wah Cinemas has rebrand itself as WE Cinemas following a renovation at Suntec City outlet. (2011)[9]

In 2015, 321 Clementi opens after two years hiatus from the cinema operation since the closure of West Mall and Suntec City outlets.[10]

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• Cathay Cineplexes
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• Shaw Theatres

• Official website