[UPDATED in preparation of Dune Part 2 (2023)]


The Classical Debate for Moviegoers!


Every year, Malaysia is introduced with a brand new multiplex or movie theater and keeping up with them can be really fun & exciting!

Malaysia's leading exhibitors include Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), MBO Cinemas, TGV Cinemas, Lotus Five Star Cinemas (LFS) and many other independent cinemas.

For some, they would not care about where they watch their movies but over here we do! As a community of movie lovers, everything really does matter, including screen size, picture quality, audio quality, seat quality, seating arrangements, pricing, F&B, customer service, luxury, budget and everything else that matters!



Major chain breakdown and comparisons



GSC
GSC is a well recognized brand in Malaysia and the largest cinema chain as well. Known for its competitive pricing, reliability and quality. First in Malaysia to introduce premium cinema halls and became the trendsetter for modern multiplexes. The iconic 18 screens MidValley Megamall (currently refurbished with 21 screens) is a symbol of Malaysian's love for movies! Still unbeatable when it comes to credit card offers and promotions! As of Aug'23, GSC is the only chain that allows actual food into their halls from their restaurant Happy Co. Not to forget chicken wings and meatballs as well

Fuyoo GSC also takeover MBO partially!

Hot spot locations IOI City Mall, MidValley Megamall, Starling Mall, Tropicana Gardens Mall, Paradigm Johor Bahru, Midvalley JB

Premium halls: LASER IMAX, Gold Class, Premiere Class, Maxx, 4DX, D-Box, THX Certification, DOLBY ATMOS Surround System, PlayPlus, Onyx, 4K Laser Projection MORE INFO HERE[url=https://www.gsc.com.my/experiences]MORE INFO HERE


Biggest screen: MAXX MyTown, GSC Starling Mall BigScreen, IMAX Laser Putrajaya, GSC Lalaport BigScreen




TGV
One of the first strong competitors for GSC and the second largest cinema chain in Malaysia, known for its darker themed approach, luxury and class. Locally known as the more expensive spot for movies. The first cinema to price seats in distant from screen ( Standard, Preferred, Premium) in Malaysia. First to introduce early bird promotion tickets, bean bag halls and its famous collaboration with IMAX. Reigning champion for the best caramel popcorn, Movieclub promotions and unbeatable when it comes to seasonal F&B promotions such as tumbler/big-sized drinking cup/cool popcorn holder, etc.

Although the IMAX halls in TGV are smaller in screen and size compared to the once-upon-a-time original IMAX in Berjaya Times Square, digital IMAX is definitely subpar to the new IMAX Laser, now only in GSC IOI Putrajaya.

Hot spot locations Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Sunway Pyramid, 1 Utama

Premium halls: Digital IMAX, Indulge, LUXE, Beanieplex, Dolby ATMOS MORE INFO HERE

Biggest screen: IMAX Icity



MBO
Wasn't considered a competitor until the launch of their latest cinemas in recent years. Despite fewer multiplexes in comparison to GSC or TGV, MBO is pushing boundaries and raising the benchmark in term of quality and movie experiences with their latest outlets. Known for its STARCLUB as it was the first in Malaysia to introduce a loyalty program for customers.

Update 2023, GSC taking over MBO is definitely a sad news for healthy cinematic experience competition

Premium halls: BigScreen, Dolby ATMOS surround system, MX4D, KECIL, Premier, Onyx MORE INFO HERE



IMAX vs MAXX vs BigScreen


The pioneer of modern big screens, IMAX is indeed the better option of the biggies. The reasons are because of the customized hall layout, immersive experience, custom audio/video set up, 3-D specialty, reputed international standards and films must be processed by IMAX (post-production) or even shot in IMAX camera for its full screen ratio! IMAX isn't just a hall, its the current international standard of how to watch movies the best way possible. Filmmakers are opting to process films in IMAX due to its exclusiveness for movie experience. In other words, films shot on normal cameras will have to undergo a post-production process with IMAX, both in picture and sound to meet its standards around the globe! The debate concerning Malaysia's IMAX fans lies in the actual IMAX screen size.


Originally, IMAX is intended to be a really huge screen, with the biggest one going up to (35m x 30m) with resolutions up to 12K, given the conditions for it are met. Now that is super huge! Unfortunately, it also costs a lot to keep it running on the long run. Constructing an IMAX hall requires a much bigger space than standard cinema halls. Due to space restraint, mall sizes and a high rental that comes with it, IMAX have decided to make the screens much smaller without letting go of its movie experience and to meet exhibitors demands as well. To go big worldwide, IMAX has to shrink its screen size! ironic? Therefore, IMAX has decided to go with the smaller screen (Digital IMAX) in Malaysia as well. Have a look at the screen size comparison over here.





Malaysia had the original IMAX once upon a time in Berjaya Times Square (level 10), as I had the chance of watching a couple of movies there back then. Due to poor business, IMAX had to shut its doors in Times Square before GSC took over and rebranded it into Maxx, with a smaller screen size in comparison to the original. That being said, GSC had to bring in all of their own equipment instead (DOLBY processors, dual projectors) to meet the standard for a large screen projection and sound. The only remnant of IMAX was its hall design as everything else was stripped down. There was a mass confusion for moviegoers on whether Maxx was the real deal IMAX. Maxx is actually the brand for GSC's big screen counterparts.

The latest Maxx hall additions in MyTown, Ipoh Parade, IOI City Mall & Paradigm JB is GSC's way of playing catch up with IMAX. Surprisingly, MBO made its entry into the race with BigScreen and they mean serious business. This hall is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that's the first of its kind in Malaysia, resulting in highly improved image quality. You can expect clearer and sharper visuals, as well as enhanced brightness, contrast and colour performance from the flagship laser 4K RGB projector thanks to their partnership with BARCO. It also has the biggest screen in the country, debatable as GSC claims Mytown's Maxx hall is bigger instead.








D-BOX vs 4DX vs MX4D

Having tried all three, the best is definitely 4DX in terms of experience followed by MX4D and DBOX. DBOX although in certain halls comes with THX certification and Dolby ATMOS surround, their seating way at the back of the hall on the last rows may be off putting to some.

Best 4DX Hall: GSC Lalaport
Best DBOX Hall: GSC Midvalley
best MX4D Hall: GSC Starling Mall, GSC Tropicana Gardens Mall


Gold Class vs Premiere Class vs Indulge vs Premier
*coming soon



PlayPlus vs KECIL
*coming soon



xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



Which is your favourite weekend spot to catch movies in or around Klang Valley? Excluding fancy halls (Gold Class, Premiere Class, Beaniplex, IMAX, LUXE), lets give some spotlight to those normal halls we always go to as well. Every single cinemas in Malaysia are welcomed to be reviewed too. Here are my personal top choices!




Klang Valley

1. GSC Starling Mall (BigScreen 4K ATMOS) - Huge screen, crisp sound, powerful bass and comfortable seats. Worth the shot for blockbusters!

2. MBO Atria Mall

3. GSC MidValley (Hall 18 - ATMOS), Hall 19-21 seems to be better as they are the newer one compared to the previous older 18 halls.

3. GSC IOI City Mall (Maxx ATMOS)

4. GSC Lalaport new in town, awesome as of now!

5. GSC Starling Mall

5. GSC Tropicana Gardens Mall

6. GSC MyTown (Maxx ATMOS)


Special Mentions




1. GSC NU Sentral (Hall 3 & 11)

2. GSC Setia City Mall's good sound system

3. TSR Cineplex Shah Alam (RGB Laser Hall)




1. LFS Selayang Capitol - New management and renovations took place recently. Improved than before. Spot for Indian films/budget options for surrounding area

2. Sentul Cinema - was terrible, now closed down as apartment is rising up.

3. MBO Brem Mall - outdated. Spotted a rat!

4. TGV Suria KLCC - uncomfortable seats, small leg rooms and expensive.

5. GSC Queensbay Mall - seems to be a favourite for locals nearby. The ratio of seats to hall size to screen size is a disaster. You better don't sit way back. The screen might be small from there and the super-bright exit sign will distract you.

6. GSC Gurney Plaza - outdated, old, underwhelming audio surround




Penang Island

1. TGV Gurney Paragon - but heard quality is dropping...sorry penang folks!



Kedah

1. MBO Central Square, Sg Petani



Malacca

1. LFS Mahkota Parade
2. MBO Elements Mall


Share your thoughts/opinion/reviews on it. Lets help each other for a better movie experience...

This post has been edited by rideverest: Aug 23 2023, 06:18 PM

I do agree with you. TGV's pricing is getting higher after they renovated and brought in the ' new look ' ...

Anyone have tried GSC MAXX or TGV'S Beaniplex?

I did go to TGV Station 18 and saw the cinema but didn't watch movie yet the cinema was really good-looking! Some sort like TGV 1st Avenue and TGV WWM's design.

IMAX is not running in Berjaya Times Square nowadays. It's been taken over by GSC and named GSC MAXX. I don't think there is a THX Hall in Tropicana btw.....

The new TGV 1 Utama has opened and I'm really excited to visit there this weekend. Anyone been there yet? Can you guys give some info on seats, hall size, sound quality and IMAX hall.

IMAX Sunway v/s IMAX 1U ??? Which wins??? Plus there is an increase in IMAX tix price in 1U.....

It depends on your seating taste. If you like the screen to fill up your vision and make you feel like you're really into a movie, seats J,K,L 5-12 is perfect. This is my spot for 3D movies as well.

In your situation, seats F8 and F9 are for a more relaxed viewing which many prefer as well. It all depends on you

Gardens Premiere Halls 1 and 2 are larger and with THX certification if I'm not mistaken.

Watched Edge of Tomorrow ATMOS 1U and Transformers Age of Extinction at ATMOS Pavillion. They have converted their respective hall 3 into ATMOS surround. My review...it's just too good for our ears. It feels more natural and the 360 surround just encloses you in it!

Used to be but now no la bro...got bigger halls and bigger screens already around Klang Valley area. Still it's the largest in GSC MV!

This post has been edited by rideverest: Dec 7 2015, 09:06 AM

I think it comes down to which surrounding you prefer. In my opinion, both the theaters are equally good.

TGV 1 UTAMA

+ IMAX
+ Dark/classy look
+ Dolby 7.1 sound. Sound seems to be sharper for me. Bass above average
+ F&B...For me TGV leads the popcorn race
+ New

- Standard seats are too upfront and close to screen. Neck pain lo
- Seats not my liking
- expensive premium tickets


GSC 1 UTAMA

+ Dolby Atmos (hall 3) and THX (hall 2/3)
+ Better normal 3D halls ( love the new design of 3D glasses. Easier for people with specs to wear)
+ family-friendly feeling
+ For now still not overpriced
+ Good seating comfort and seat arrangement
+ Better bass

- It's getting old?? I dont know. For now no drawbacks. Wish they renovate soon with the way they did with GSC MidValley

Haven't been to Paragon yet but I agree Gurney is getting old. I recall seeing those two big-ass speakers at the back of IMAX hall. Not sure about the sides. Will check next time

Anyone been to Premium X Cinemas, Once City Mall ? Is it worth watching a movie there?

Anyone been to Premium X Cinemas, One City Mall ? Is it worth watching a movie there? Seats, sound quality, hall size?

This post has been edited by rideverest: Dec 7 2015, 09:11 AM

Thanks for the review man. I'm not the type who likes to go to a quiet cinema. For me the more the merrier but make sure buy ticket siap siap..hehe


Update on other cinemas...

> GSC Nu Sentral, KL. Hall 11 is huge. The biggest hall in that cinema. Large screen, loud sound, high bass. Usually screens Tamil films. Went in there twice and both the time the A/C was not working properly. Hope they have fixed it by now.

> GSC Aman Central, Alor Setar. Medium to small sized halls here mostly. Not the biggest ATMOS hall but sound system was good. Watched Spectre here in the ATMOS hall but the film didn't utilize the surround option. I guess Spectre had no ATMOS mixing done or maybe it's not brought in here to our country.

The dedicated ATMOS hall same like any other ATMOS. They tend to give the same quality in every cinema like IMAX despite various sizes of halls. But the experience depends on the movie itself on how well the film equipped and mixed the sound for it. Went to watch Spy @ Atmos GSC Quill City. The sound was crappy. So yeah, depends on the movie in the end. But with just an extra RM1 from normal cinema hall, why not go for it right?

> MBO Central Square, Sg Petani. Only went here once and got into Hall 8. I was surpised on how good it was. The hall size was almost alike with those THX halls in 1U/Pavillion. Seats were bit too hard for me but the cinema was new. Did they renovate this place or is it a new cinema in SP? Cz if you're staying in SP I would recommend this place over GSC Amanjaya

Updated and will be updated later on based on further public opinions

Agreed! Not on the queue but the movie experience itself. Feels just so normal. The mall itself is small and not up to par with others. Only good for those nearby...

I always thought the East side had good cinemas. Something new keeps popping out once a year or two. Healthy competition should be keeping cinemas alive! Sounds scary to go for a movie there now... Hehe

Anyone on the new TGV velocity, Cheras?

This post has been edited by rideverest: Dec 20 2016, 09:03 PM

Wow GSC can bring in Maxx resolution movies? I swear I didn't know it existed, such format. I watched Star Trek Into the Darkness and Star Wars Ep7 in BTS GSC Maxx. I prefer putting my extra money on a super-clear IMAX screen and it's strong bass. Maxx feels like a stretched screen that ends up reducing pixelation of films. Gosh I miss the old 70mm IMAX in BTS.