Published : 28/05/2025
"After nearly half a century of glory, Grand Ocean Cinema has been a landmark cinema in Tsim Sha Tsui, accompanying generations of moviegoers and witnessing the passage of different film eras". Golden Harvest Cinemas announced the news on social media in late May, 2025.
Unfortunately, the 56-year-old Grand Ocean Cinema closed on June 1, 2025, symbolising the end of a collective memory for a generation of Hong Kong people.
Ocean Theatre released popular films Pretty Woman and Ghost in 1990s
In the 1950s and 60s, Hong Kong's economy began to flourish, and watching movies became a major form of entertainment for the public, leading to the opening of more cinemas.
By 1969, there were 103 cinemas in Hong Kong, and Ocean Theatre opened that year, coinciding with the peak of the local film industry.
When Ocean Theatre opened, it featured a giant screen and seating divided into front, rear, and deluxe sections, with a total of 1,772 seats, showcasing the grandeur of a large cinema.
The theatre exclusively screened foreign films and was often packed with crowds eagerly waiting to enter.
Many moviegoers still remember the 1990 screenings of Pretty Woman and Ghost, where ticket queues stretched from the theatre lobby, down the stairs, and all the way to Canton Road—an impressive sight.
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Bruce Lee's debut film The Big Boss held its premiere at Ocean Theatre
Ocean Theatre used to be a venue for many film companies to hold premieres. Many veteran film fans may remember that in 1971, Bruce Lee's first film The Big Boss (《唐山大兄》) was officially released with a premiere at Ocean Theatre, leaving the imprint of a superstar.
The Big Boss set a record for the highest box office earnings in Hong Kong's history, propelling Bruce Lee to fame and solidifying his status as a Kung Fu superstar in the film industry.
In addition to hosting premieres, Ocean Theatre was also a pilot site for film companies to screen midnight shows and gauge audience reactions.
Subsequently, many cinemas followed suit by adding midnight shows, which became a popular late-night entertainment option for Hong Kong residents.
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Ocean Theatre renovated into mini theatre in 1994
In the 1990s, the entertainment activities in Hong Kong became more diversified. Traditional large cinemas like Ocean Theatre could not withstand the tide of change.
In 1994, it was renovated into a mini theatre, reducing the number of seats to 576. Its English name changed from "Ocean Theatre" to "Grand Ocean Cinema", and it was taken over by the Golden Harvest cinema chain for operation.
In 2013, the Grand Ocean Cinema underwent another major renovation, transforming into a theatre with a 19.5-metre wide giant screen and Dolby Atmos sound system.
The cinema also introduced extra-wide blue velvet seats and increased row spacing to create a refreshed image. Additionally, D-BOX motion seats were added to enhance the viewing experience.
After the renovation, the number of seats was further reduced to 456, consisting of 414 standard seats and 42 D-BOX motion seats.
Unfortunately, the Grand Ocean Cinema, which had served as an important entertainment and cultural landmark in Tsim Sha Tsui and the Kowloon district, ultimately closed its doors due to the expiration of its lease, reluctantly exiting the stage of Hong Kong's film and entertainment culture.
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