Ster-Kinekor

Ster-Kinekor is a South African-based cinema company, and the country's largest movie exhibitor.

Also referred to as Ster Kinekor or simply as Kinekor in some sources.

The company

Founding

Formed in 1970 following the merger of two business owned by South African financial services group Sanlam, Ster Films, Ster Theatres and the newly acquired Kinekor.

Digitisation

In 2008, the company began digitising its operations, launching 3D cinema offerings and, in 2011, introducing Ster-Kinekor Mobi, followed by apps and the premium Cine Prestige experience in 2012. The company continued to innovate with initiatives such as IMAX ticket validation stations, self-service catering, and including beer, wine, and coffee at Cine Prestige sites.

Cinema in the 2020s

Ster-Kinekor faced significant challenges in the 2020s. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered lockdowns that halted moviegoing. At the same time, the rise of streaming services transformed consumer habits. This was compounded by Eskom’s persistent load shedding and the Hollywood writers’ strike, further complicating the company’s recovery. Cinema attendance steadily improved between 2021 and 2023, although revenue growth in 2024 remained modest. This was largely attributed to delayed release dates for major blockbusters, some of which were pushed out by 12 to 18 months.

Facilities

Its head office is at the Ster-Kinekor Office Park in Sandton, Johannesburg.

As of 2025, Ster-Kinekor remains South Africa’s leading film exhibitor. It boasts 57 commercial cinema complexes in South Africa and six additional sites in Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Ster-Kinekor's infrastructure includes 19 Cine Prestige theatres, seven IMAX screens, 303 digital screens, and 121 3D-enabled screens, offering more than 87,000 seats countrywide.