United Cinema Kumamoto

The seventh Cineplex site in Japan opened its doors on December 23, 2004 as the Cineplex Kumamoto, a 10-screen multiplex with 1,784 seats on the second floor of the large commercial facility Gran Paletta Kumamoto. The property was owned by the Toa Silk Company Limited, a locally based company who owned Daiwa Royal which is part of the Daiwa House Group.

On June 1, 2013, United Cinemas absorbed Cineplex, resulting in the transfer of all Cineplex theaters to the United Cinemas chain. However, no subsequent name change was made at the time, and the staff ended up retaining the original Cineplex Kumamoto for a while. Unfortunately, nearly three years later caused tragedy as the two April 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes happened. Due to the severe damage from the two major earthquakes, the theater was forced to close from the day after the quakes.

Six months later on October 12, 2016, it was announced that the theater will have a refresh, with massive remodeling, and will reopen back as the United Cinema Kumamoto before Christmas. It did, and the theater reopened on December 16, 2016, featuring 4DX being installed as well. COVID caused a short closure of the theater between April 8 and May 15, 2020.

Unfortunately, on December 2, 2024, following the closure of the adjacent AEON Kumamoto Chuo Store, Gran Paletta Kumamoto ceased operations. It was announced that the theater will close on March 30, 2025. During its final 29 days of operation, United Cinemas changed its name to Lawson United Cinemas, but the staff decided to retain its original United Cinemas name without any choice. The theater closed for the final time on March 30, 2025, and was demolished that October, but the future of the Grand Paretta site remains undecided at this time.

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