BREAKING: Cinemas Are Officially Allowed In Saudi Arabia From Early 2018 And Residents Are OVERJOYED

All the talks you’ve been hearing are indeed true, as it has been announced by The Ministry of Culture and Information on Monday that the licensing for cinemas will begin immediately. 

As the industry regulator, the General Commission for Audiovisual Media has started the process for licensing cinemas in the Kingdom,

Awwad bin Saleh Alawwad, Minister of Culture and Info (via The National)

This means cinemas will open by March 2018- only three months from now

And reports have confirmed that by 2030, Saudi is expected to have over 300 cinemas, with more than 2,000 screens will take over the Kingdom’s entertainment sectors. 

That’s right, you don’t need to drive all the way to Bahrain to watch your favourite action film any longer. 

This marks a watershed moment in the development of the cultural economy in the Kingdom

Minister of Culture and Information

Just months ago, Riyadh Park Mall announced that it would be the first mall to open cinemas in the Kingdom

Soon..???? #Riyadh Park Mall will be the first mall to open #cinema and four showrooms will be established. Stay tuned !!! ???? pic.twitter.com/0jWA8oHa3n

— SAUDI VIBES™ ???????????? (@ItentertainSa) October 14, 2017

The General Commission for Audiovisual Media will announce more deets on licensing and registering for cinemas in a few weeks 

We can’t wait any longer…

Peeps on twitter can’t seem to contain their excitement as well

With hashtag #السينما_في_السعوديه  (#CinemaInSaudi) already trending within the first few minutes the news was announced today… 

#السينما_في_السعوديه finally!!!! pic.twitter.com/IHU5eE4rMV

— •⁷• (@thee7_) December 11, 2017

People are ecstatic 

mood #السينما_في_السعوديه pic.twitter.com/4XDsiT0c17

— Faisal ???????? (@almlkifaisal) December 11, 2017

….celebratory gifs are increasing every second on the hashtag

A step into modernity, indeed..

My new business ???????? #السينما_في_السعوديه pic.twitter.com/BdhfRGkilK

— 90 (@2nefe2) December 11, 2017

Others have even quickly made up new business idea

GAME OVER #City_Center
#السينما_في_السعوديه pic.twitter.com/IPWmGNc3L2

— #بدر (@Badr_Alzahrani) December 11, 2017

…and others are bidding adieu to Bahrain’s beloved cinema for Saudi visitors 

Oh well, t’was a good run.

Is it me or is Saudi Arabia actually becoming the country of my dreams?! #السينما_في_السعوديه pic.twitter.com/9xWbjPaLL8

— Welly Mukhtar (@Free_Wellly) December 11, 2017

It is and will continue to be the country of everyone’s dreams