Japan's First Cineplex "Aeon Cinema Ebina" to Close on May 17, All Star Wars THX Screenings Extended Until Final Day! Last Screening is 'Star Wars Episode 6 / Return of the Jedi'
Aeon Cinema Ebina, Japan's first cinema complex, will close on May 17, 2026. In commemoration of its closure, the popular THX screenings of all "Star Wars" films have been extended until the final day, with 'Star Wars Episode 6 / Return of the Jedi' as the last showing. Related events are also being held at the Aeon Ebina store to thank long-time fans.
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Aeon Entertainment Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Nobuyuki Fujiwara), which operates 98 "Aeon Cinema" theaters nationwide, will cease operations of Aeon Cinema Ebina (formerly Warner Mycal Cinemas Ebina) on Sunday, May 17, 2026. This cinema complex, opened in April 1993, was Japan's first (*1) and has been affectionately known as a "Star Wars sacred place."
The THX screenings of all "Star Wars" series, which began as a closing event on Friday, April 24, have received an enthusiastic response from "Star Wars" fans and long-time "Ebinana" (Aeon Cinema Ebina's THX Screen 7) fans. In response to these voices, we are announcing today, May 4th, "Star Wars Day," that the screenings will be extended until Sunday, May 17th, the final day of operation. The last screening will be 'Star Wars Episode 6 / Return of the Jedi'.
We have received numerous comments about the unique THX experience, with many saying they heard sounds they had never heard before. Please take this opportunity to enjoy a film at Aeon Cinema Ebina.
Furthermore, not only within the theater but also at the Aeon Ebina store, an event called "Ebina 'Star Wars' Road" is being held, featuring decorations throughout the shopping center and sales of related merchandise. The pathway from the main entrance to the theater is wrapped entirely in "Star Wars" imagery. Staff wearing original T-shirts for this initiative will welcome visitors, and a "Star Wars" POP UP STORE will also be available for enjoyment. Additionally, with the cooperation of Pia Corporation, in a collaboration project with the monthly Pia magazine 'Tobu! Pia' (revived this spring after a 15-year hiatus), all 11 types of "Star Wars" cover illustrations from the 'Pia' magazine (ceased publication in 2011) will be displayed next to Screen 7.
Following the final screening of 'Star Wars Episode 6 / Return of the Jedi', starting at 2:05 PM on Sunday, May 17, a closing ceremony will be held. Please come and witness the finale of Japan's first cinema complex. Also, all customers who watch a film on the final day will receive a clear file (*2). We hope you will take it home as a keepsake, along with your memories of Aeon Cinema Ebina.
Aeon Entertainment will continue to create and expand circles of emotion and inspiration through all forms of entertainment, aiming to be a cinema complex beloved by the community for many years, where smiles gather, and to deliver spaces, visuals, and services that provide enriching moments.
*1 The definition of a cineplex adopted is from the Japan Film Producers Association: "A cinema operated by the same organization in the same location with 5 or more screens, maintaining consistency in naming (e.g., 1, 2, 3..., A, B, C...). "
*2 This clear file may also be distributed at other events.
■ Star Wars All Films Screening
All 11 films of the "Star Wars" series will be screened in the largest THX theater. Please experience this rare opportunity to enjoy the epic scope of the story all at once in the cinema. Cosplay is still permitted for viewing. Tickets for all screenings until the final day will go on sale from 6 PM on May 5 (Tue/Holiday) for Watatheater Plus members, and from midnight for general sales.
An "All-night Marathon Screening" will be held sequentially on the last two days.
■ Ebina THX Star Wars Semi-Final Screening (until May 15)
■ Ebina THX Star Wars Final Marathon Screening (May 16 & 17)
Those who watch all films on the following dates will receive an "Ebina THX-SW Completion License (tentative name)" from the theater.
*For all-night screenings, the late-show rate will apply from the 9:25 PM screening on the 16th to the 5:55 AM screening the next day.
*Free viewing tickets cannot be used for this Star Wars all-films screening.
*Clear files will be distributed to customers who watch a screening starting from 7 AM on Sunday, May 17th, the opening time on that day.
■ Ebina "Star Wars" Road
With the closure of Aeon Cinema Ebina, the "Ebina 'Star Wars' Road" has been created within the Aeon Ebina store, with the cooperation of the parent store, Aeon Ebina store, to coincide with the final "Star Wars" screenings at this beloved "Star Wars sacred place." Characters from the eagerly anticipated newest work in the Star Wars series, 'Star Wars / Mandalorian & Grogu' (to be released on Friday, May 22nd), will also appear. Furthermore, staff within the Aeon Ebina store will welcome everyone wearing commemorative T-shirts. A "Star Wars" POP UP STORE has also been set up, offering merchandise for sale. This initiative extends beyond the cinema itself, encompassing the Aeon shopping center.
The THX screenings of all "Star Wars" series, which began as a closing event on Friday, April 24, have received an enthusiastic response from "Star Wars" fans and long-time "Ebinana" (Aeon Cinema Ebina's THX Screen 7) fans. In response to these voices, we are announcing today, May 4th, "Star Wars Day," that the screenings will be extended until Sunday, May 17th, the final day of operation. The last screening will be 'Star Wars Episode 6 / Return of the Jedi'.
We have received numerous comments about the unique THX experience, with many saying they heard sounds they had never heard before. Please take this opportunity to enjoy a film at Aeon Cinema Ebina.
Furthermore, not only within the theater but also at the Aeon Ebina store, an event called "Ebina 'Star Wars' Road" is being held, featuring decorations throughout the shopping center and sales of related merchandise. The pathway from the main entrance to the theater is wrapped entirely in "Star Wars" imagery. Staff wearing original T-shirts for this initiative will welcome visitors, and a "Star Wars" POP UP STORE will also be available for enjoyment. Additionally, with the cooperation of Pia Corporation, in a collaboration project with the monthly Pia magazine 'Tobu! Pia' (revived this spring after a 15-year hiatus), all 11 types of "Star Wars" cover illustrations from the 'Pia' magazine (ceased publication in 2011) will be displayed next to Screen 7.
Following the final screening of 'Star Wars Episode 6 / Return of the Jedi', starting at 2:05 PM on Sunday, May 17, a closing ceremony will be held. Please come and witness the finale of Japan's first cinema complex. Also, all customers who watch a film on the final day will receive a clear file (*2). We hope you will take it home as a keepsake, along with your memories of Aeon Cinema Ebina.
Aeon Entertainment will continue to create and expand circles of emotion and inspiration through all forms of entertainment, aiming to be a cinema complex beloved by the community for many years, where smiles gather, and to deliver spaces, visuals, and services that provide enriching moments.
*1 The definition of a cineplex adopted is from the Japan Film Producers Association: "A cinema operated by the same organization in the same location with 5 or more screens, maintaining consistency in naming (e.g., 1, 2, 3..., A, B, C...). "
*2 This clear file may also be distributed at other events.
■ Star Wars All Films Screening
All 11 films of the "Star Wars" series will be screened in the largest THX theater. Please experience this rare opportunity to enjoy the epic scope of the story all at once in the cinema. Cosplay is still permitted for viewing. Tickets for all screenings until the final day will go on sale from 6 PM on May 5 (Tue/Holiday) for Watatheater Plus members, and from midnight for general sales.
An "All-night Marathon Screening" will be held sequentially on the last two days.
■ Ebina THX Star Wars Semi-Final Screening (until May 15)
■ Ebina THX Star Wars Final Marathon Screening (May 16 & 17)
Those who watch all films on the following dates will receive an "Ebina THX-SW Completion License (tentative name)" from the theater.
*For all-night screenings, the late-show rate will apply from the 9:25 PM screening on the 16th to the 5:55 AM screening the next day.
*Free viewing tickets cannot be used for this Star Wars all-films screening.
*Clear files will be distributed to customers who watch a screening starting from 7 AM on Sunday, May 17th, the opening time on that day.
■ Ebina "Star Wars" Road
With the closure of Aeon Cinema Ebina, the "Ebina 'Star Wars' Road" has been created within the Aeon Ebina store, with the cooperation of the parent store, Aeon Ebina store, to coincide with the final "Star Wars" screenings at this beloved "Star Wars sacred place." Characters from the eagerly anticipated newest work in the Star Wars series, 'Star Wars / Mandalorian & Grogu' (to be released on Friday, May 22nd), will also appear. Furthermore, staff within the Aeon Ebina store will welcome everyone wearing commemorative T-shirts. A "Star Wars" POP UP STORE has also been set up, offering merchandise for sale. This initiative extends beyond the cinema itself, encompassing the Aeon shopping center.