Rialto Cinemas

What Rialto Cinemas does

Rialto Cinemas is a two-location premium cinema chain in New Zealand operating as a wholly owned brand within Australia's EVT Ltd (EVT Group), which also owns EVENT Cinemas, Embassy Theatre, Moonlight, Greater Union, BCC, State Theatre, Rydges, QT Hotels and Resorts, Atura, and Thredbo. The chain operates from 11 Moray Place in central Dunedin (Otago) — featuring Dunedin's biggest screen, auditoriums of 140–300 seats with stadium seating, the Long Room function area, and a fully licensed bar — and from 167–169 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland (Level 1 of the Rialto Centre, in Auckland's premier entertainment and shopping precinct, a three-minute walk from Newmarket rail) with 64–192 seat stadium auditoriums and licensed bar.

The core product is movie exhibition across standard, 3D, and IMAX film formats using digital cinema projection with allocated online seat selection and SSL-encrypted credit-card transactions. The technology stack is built on a parent-group infrastructure: payments processed via PayPal/Braintree, Stripe, Windcave, and Karta; marketing automation and personalised advertising delivered through Movio, Braze, ROKT, Meta (Facebook Pixel, Custom Audiences), and TikTok Business Products (Pixel, Events API, Advanced Matching); and an EVT One Login single sign-on with Microsoft integration for staff and member access. The Cinebuzz Rewards loyalty program (1M+ members across ANZ) ties the consumer identity layer into the broader EVT ecosystem, with gift cards and Cine-Ticket vouchers (valid 36 months, $25–$250) interoperable across Rialto, EVENT Cinemas, and Embassy Theatre.

The business model combines transaction-fee revenue from ticket sales (adult, child, student, senior, Baby & Me, 3D, IMAX, Golden Oldies, Cheap Tuesday, and Cinebuzz-discounted advance screenings) and food-and-beverage concessions, with professional-services revenue from private venue hire (corporate events, fundraisers, presentations, seminars) and a subscription-style loyalty tier (Cinebuzz VIP, achieved at 150 status credits in 12 months, with bottomless popcorn and exclusive offers). Programming extends beyond blockbuster cinema into Met Opera Live in HD, Exhibition on Screen, National Theatre Live, and the Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival, plus accessibility-focused Sensory Screenings and Baby & Me sessions. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the rialto.co.nz website, weekly Cinebuzz email newsletter, paid social on Facebook and TikTok, Movio-driven personalised targeting, and affiliate partnerships with Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland Art Gallery, and Olympic Pools & Fitness Centre.

Name

Rialto Cinemas

Legal name

Rialto Cinemas

Website

https://rialto.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rialto Cinemas is a two-location premium New Zealand cinema chain (Dunedin and Newmarket Auckland) within Australia's EVT Group, offering standard, 3D, and IMAX screenings plus venue hire, accessibility programming, and the cross-EVT Cinebuzz loyalty program (1M+ members) for consumer and corporate audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cinema Exhibition Services

NAICS

Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Cinema Chains & Multiplex Operators (MPADAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alternative Content Exhibition (Live Broadcasts, Concert Films, Sports, Opera) (MPADAKAG), Private Screenings & Venue Rentals (Corporate, Parties) (MPADAKAJ)

Keywords

• Cinema exhibition services
• Movie theater operations
• Loyalty rewards program
• Private event venue hire
• Premium film screenings

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from admission tickets across both Dunedin and Newmarket locations. Revenue varies by time (NFT films command different pricing), format (3D screenings have additional charges), and customer segment (members receive discounts).
2. Food and Beverage (Concessions): Cinema snacks, popcorn, candy, and beverages sold at both locations. Includes licensed bar services for private events.
3. Gift Cards and Cine-Ticket Vouchers: Sale of gift cards (valued $25-$250) and Cine-Ticket vouchers valid at Rialto locations. Gift cards also usable at Event Cinemas and Embassy Theatre.
4. Venue Hire and Private Screenings: Revenue from hiring out cinema auditoriums for private screenings, corporate events, fundraisers, and presentations. Includes dedicated function spaces like the Long Room and licensed bar services.
5. Cinebuzz Loyalty Program: Points-based loyalty program where members earn points toward free movie tickets, with VIP tier offering additional perks like bottomless popcorn and exclusive promotions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rialto Cinemas operates two premium movie theater locations in New Zealand (Dunedin and Newmarket Auckland), offering standard, 3D, and IMAX film screenings with allocated seating. The cinema chain also operates the Cinebuzz Rewards loyalty program (over 1 million members across Australia and New Zealand), provides private venue hire for corporate events and screenings, and runs special event programming including Met Opera live HD, National Theatre Live, Exhibition on Screen, and the New Zealand International Film Festival.

Product overview

Rialto Cinemas operates as a two-location premium cinema chain in New Zealand (Dunedin and Newmarket Auckland), offering standard, 3D, and IMAX film screenings with allocated seating. The core cinema product is supplemented by the Cinebuzz Rewards loyalty program (over 1 million members) for earning points, discounted tickets, and VIP perks. Additional services include Baby and Me and Sensory Screenings for accessibility, Private Screenings for venue hire, Events and Festivals programming (Met Opera, Exhibition on Screen, National Theatre Live), weekly Cheap Tuesday promotions, Golden Oldies senior discounts, and a Gift Shop offering Cine-Ticket vouchers and gift cards valid across the EVT cinema network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cinebuzz Rewards: Loyalty program offering discounted movie tickets, advance screenings, bonus points for online bookings, and food and beverage offers for members.

Products and services

• Rialto Cinemas Premium cinema chain operating two movie theaters in New Zealand (Dunedin and Newmarket Auckland) offering standard, 3D, and IMAX film screenings with allocated seating, concessions, and licensed bars. Targets individual movie-goers and families.
• Cinebuzz Rewards Points-based loyalty program with over 1 million members across Australia and New Zealand, offering discounted movie tickets, advance screenings, exclusive VIP perks including bottomless popcorn, and monthly food and beverage offers.
• Private Screenings Venue hire service for corporate events, fundraisers, presentations, seminars, and private screenings. Auditoriums range from 64-300 seats with stadium seating, cinema-quality sound, and fully licensed bars available.
• Baby and Me Screenings Special cinema sessions for parents and caregivers with infants and young children, offering reduced pricing ($14.50 Newmarket, $13.50 Dunedin) and facilities accommodating prams and capsules in a more comfortable environment.
• Sensory Screenings Special movie screenings designed for audiences with sensory sensitivities, featuring adjusted lighting and sound levels to provide a more accessible cinema experience.
• Events and Festivals Programming Special event programming including Met Opera live HD screenings, Exhibition on Screen series, National Theatre Live, Adventure Series, Anime screenings, and the annual Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival.
• Gift Cards and Cine-Ticket Vouchers Online and in-cinema gift cards (set values from $25-$250) and Cine-Ticket vouchers valid for 36 months at Rialto Cinemas locations, with gift cards also usable at Event Cinemas and Embassy Theatre.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MoviocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMovio provides marketing services to EVT Group including personalized advertisements and targeted promotional content delivery. Combines de-identified personal information with data from LiveRamp, Google, and Facebook to deliver relevant content to customers.
• ROKTminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partner providing personalized opportunities and advertisements on websites and mobile apps. Limited customer information (name, email, transaction details) shared for 90 days.
• BrazeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCustomer engagement platform used for multichannel marketing to deliver personalized advertisements and targeted promotional content.
• Facebook (Meta)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTargeted advertising partnership using hashed email addresses, phone numbers, and cookie information to create targeted audiences for delivering relevant marketing messages.
• TikTokminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTargeted advertising and promotional content delivery through TikTok Business Products including Pixel, Events API, Custom Audiences, and Advanced Matching services.
• PayPal (Braintree)coreOthersPayment processing services for online credit card transactions in Australia and New Zealand. Processes payments and provides fraud detection and prevention.
• StripecoreOthersPayment processing services for online transactions in Australia and New Zealand.
• WindcavecoreOthersPayment processing services for online transactions in Australia and New Zealand.
• Karta (545490 Pty Ltd)minorOthersPayment processing services for online transactions in Australia and New Zealand.
• Auckland War Memorial MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiscounted tickets offered to Auckland War Memorial Museum members at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket location.
• Auckland Art GalleryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCinebuzz card holders can receive discounts at Auckland Art Gallery.
• Olympic Pools & Fitness CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOlympic Pools and Fitness Centre members can access discounted tickets at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket.
• Metropolitan Opera (Met Opera)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScreening partner for Met Opera productions in stunning HD on the big screen. Rialto Cinemas is an authorized venue for Met Opera Live in HD season screenings.
• Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRialto Cinemas serves as a venue for the New Zealand International Film Festival, screening festival content at Newmarket (29 July – 9 August) and Dunedin (20 – 30 August) locations.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hoyts: Major Australia and New Zealand cinema chain operating multiplex and premium-format cinemas including IMAX, Lux, and dine-in options. Directly competes with Rialto for mainstream and premium audiences across NZ.
• Silky Otter Cinemas: Premium New Zealand cinema chain emphasizing luxury seating, dine-in service, and event cinema. Closest independent NZ peer to Rialto's premium/upmarket positioning and event-led programming model.
• Event Cinemas: Sister cinema brand within the same EVT Group; operates larger multiplex footprint across Australia and New Zealand. Directly comparable in product category (cinema exhibition) and shares the Cinebuzz loyalty program, gift-card network, and EVT marketing/payments infrastructure with Rialto.
• Embassy Theatre: Premium heritage cinema also operated by EVT Group in New Zealand; overlaps with Rialto in upmarket positioning, special-event programming, and gift-card acceptance network. Closest analogue in EVT's NZ portfolio to Rialto's premium positioning.
• Reading Cinemas: Australian-headquartered cinema operator with New Zealand sites; offers standard, premium, and dine-in screening formats. Comparable in market presence and product offering within the NZ exhibition landscape.
• Moonlight Cinemas: EVT-owned outdoor/summer cinema brand primarily in Australia. Shares parent company, loyalty, and back-office infrastructure with Rialto; comparable as part of EVT's premium/event-led cinema strategy.

Broad incumbents

• Greater Union: Historic cinema brand under EVT Group umbrella operating across Australia; broader legacy footprint than Rialto and comparable product offering in mainstream and event cinema. Shares Cinebuzz and EVT infrastructure.

Emerging players

• Academy Cinemas: Independent Wellington-based cinema specializing in arthouse, international, and alternative content. Comparable to Rialto's art/cultural programming arm (Exhibition on Screen, NT Live, festivals), though smaller scale and single-site.

Regional players

• Lido Cinemas: Independent NZ boutique cinema in Hamilton focused on arthouse, international films, and special events. Comparable to Rialto in programming philosophy (specialized/alternative content) but operates in a different regional market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RialtoCinemasNewmarket
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rialto-cinemas-ltd-

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rialto Cinemas