The property housing the Cineplex Cinemas in Miramichi, New Brunswick, has reportedly been listed for sale or is the subject of private valuation discussions, raising questions about the future of the city’s only major movie theatre. Local residents and real estate circles began discussing the reports in early February 2026 after details circulated that the building and land were being marketed.
The theatre, at 2480 King George Highway, sits on property owned and managed by PROREIT. The five-screen building has 835 seats and has been a staple of the local shopping district since it opened as Empire Studio 5 in 2000.
This potential sale follows a period of corporate restructuring at Cineplex Inc. — in 2024–25 the company divested certain non-core businesses, including its online Cineplex Store and some digital-media assets — as it refocused on core operations. Local observers have also suggested that rising property tax assessments in New Brunswick in recent years may have contributed to the decision to market the site.
While the property is reportedly being marketed for sale, it is not yet clear whether the theatre will close or whether a new owner will enter a sale-leaseback that allows Cineplex to continue operating. Cinema Treasures and local histories note the site opened as Empire Studio 5 in 2000 and was among Empire Theatres locations that changed hands when Cineplex expanded its circuit in 2013.
Residents posting in local social media groups have expressed concern that losing the theatre would reduce weekend entertainment options for families and young people. The site is being presented to potential buyers as a redevelopment opportunity or a long-term investment, according to local real estate and community discussions.
