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Famous Players was a Canadian cinema exhibition and cable-television business whose theatre brands were largely absorbed or rebranded by Cineplex.

Last updated August 22, 2026

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Overview

Famous Players was a Canadian entertainment company best known for operating movie theatres across the country. Its Canadian history began in 1920, when the Canadian organization associated with Famous Players Film Company acquired the Paramount Theatre chain established by Nathan Nathanson. Nathanson became the first president of Famous Players Canadian Corporation Limited. The business expanded rapidly, acquiring the Allen Theatres chain in 1923 and growing from an initial group of theatres in Ontario and British Columbia to approximately 100 locations by the end of 1926. For much of the twentieth century, Famous Players maintained a close corporate and commercial relationship with Paramount and its successive owners. Its theatre portfolio included prominent traditional cinemas such as the Imperial and Uptown in Toronto and the Capitol, Orpheum, Stanley, and Strand in Vancouver. The company later diversified beyond exhibition. During the 1950s it invested in television-related technology and broadcasting assets, acquiring CKCO-TV in Kitchener, Ontario, and CFCM-TV in Quebec City. It subsequently bought cable-television businesses and developed a substantial distribution operation. The company shifted much of its emphasis away from cinemas and other non-television entertainment assets in the early 1970s. After selling the majority of those holdings to Gulf + Western Canada, it changed its name to Canadian Cablesystems Limited. The cable business, including Metro Cable in parts of metropolitan Toronto, was ultimately acquired by Rogers Cablesystems in 1978. The Famous Players name later returned to prominence in Canadian cinema exhibition as the business expanded and modernized its theatre network. During the 1990s and early 2000s, the company rebuilt its cinema estate around large suburban multiplexes and themed megaplexes. The SilverCity, Coliseum, and Colossus concepts used stadium seating, larger auditoriums, food and entertainment amenities, and increasingly sophisticated presentation formats. These developments responded both to changing consumer expectations and to new competition, including AMC Theatres' entry into Canada. At its peak in 2003, Famous Players operated about 101 theatres with 882 screens. Viacom announced the sale of Famous Players in 2005. Cineplex Galaxy, controlled by Onex Corporation, acquired the business in a transaction completed on July 22, 2005. Competition authorities required the disposal of 27 theatres in Ontario and western Canada, which were sold to Empire Theatres. The acquired assets were integrated into Cineplex's Canadian network, while several sub-brands continued for many years. SilverCity and StarCité remained active banners, whereas Coliseum and Colossus locations were eventually renamed Cineplex Cinemas, generally retaining some of their distinctive architectural or premium-format features. Cineplex gradually retired the Famous Players banner itself. By 2022, most locations had been converted to the Cineplex Cinemas name, although the SilverCity banner continued. A small number of cinemas still operated under the Famous Players name afterward, but further closures reduced the remaining footprint. The former corporate entity remained nominally present as a Cineplex subsidiary, while Famous Players ceased to function as a significant standalone operating brand.

History

Famous Players' Canadian operations date to 1920, when the Canadian organization connected with Famous Players Film Company acquired Nathan Nathanson's Paramount Theatre chain. Nathanson had established that chain in 1916 and became president of the resulting Famous Players Canadian Corporation Limited. The company expanded through the acquisition of Allen Theatres in 1923 and rapidly increased its theatre holdings, reaching approximately 100 locations by the end of 1926. Its early network included important urban venues in Toronto and Vancouver, and it remained closely associated with Paramount and its corporate successors. The business concentrated on cinema exhibition through the first half of the twentieth century but began diversifying in the 1950s. It acquired rights to a coin-operated system linking television sets and purchased broadcasting assets including CKCO-TV and CFCM-TV. From the late 1950s onward it also acquired cable companies, building a distribution business that became increasingly important as television expanded. In 1971, the company sold most of its cinema and other non-television entertainment holdings to Gulf + Western Canada and adopted the name Canadian Cablesystems Limited. The cable operation, including Metro Cable and interests in other systems, was acquired by Rogers Cablesystems in 1978. Famous Players later re-emerged as a major Canadian cinema operator. In the 1990s it invested heavily in large suburban multiplexes intended to replace or supplement older traditional theatres. Under chairman John Bailey, the company developed the SilverCity, Coliseum, and Colossus concepts between 1996 and 2003. These venues emphasized stadium seating, large numbers of screens, food courts, arcades, and premium technologies. The new formats were also a competitive response to AMC Theatres' entry into Canada and the weakening of traditional relationships between theatre chains and major film studios. Famous Players reached a high point of approximately 101 theatres and 882 screens in 2003. The company faced accessibility criticism during this period. In 1993, Barbara Turnbull complained to the Ontario Human Rights Commission about the lack of accessibility at Famous Players cinemas. The commission ruled in her favor in 2001; the reference material states that two affected cinemas were closed rather than being made fully accessible. Famous Players also exited most of its drive-in properties and sold its remaining Maritime theatres to Empire Theatres in 2004. Viacom announced the sale of Famous Players in February 2005. Cineplex Galaxy, controlled by Onex Corporation, acquired the company for a reported transaction value of $500 million, with completion on July 22. To satisfy antitrust requirements, 27 theatres in Ontario and western Canada were sold to Empire Theatres. Cineplex retained and operated much of the broader portfolio, including locations under the Famous Players, SilverCity, StarCité, Coliseum, Colossus, and Paramount identities. Following the acquisition, Cineplex consolidated the estate. Several former Famous Players theatres became Cineplex Cinemas, while SilverCity and StarCité survived as recognizable banners. The Coliseum and Colossus concepts were particularly distinctive: Coliseum sites used circular or fan-shaped designs, while Colossus venues featured UFO and space-themed architecture. Their names were eventually replaced, but several locations retained premium screens, arcades, lounges, or other physical features associated with their original designs. Cineworld's proposed 2019 acquisition of Cineplex would have placed the former Famous Players estate within a larger international cinema group, but the transaction was terminated in 2020. Cineplex continued operating the properties and progressively retired the Famous Players name. By 2022, most locations had been renamed Cineplex Cinemas. The Famous Players corporate entity remained nominally active as a Cineplex subsidiary, but the brand ceased to operate as a substantial independent cinema chain. A limited number of individual theatres continued using the name after the general phase-out, with the remaining locations subject to later closures.

  • 2022

    Famous Players name is largely retired

    [1]

    Cineplex phased out the banner at most theatres in favor of Cineplex Cinemas.

  • 2005

    Cineplex Galaxy acquires Famous Players

    [1]

    The acquisition from Viacom was completed on July 22, followed by the divestiture of 27 theatres to Empire Theatres.

  • 2003

    Famous Players reaches reported network peak

    [1]

    The company operated approximately 101 theatres and 882 screens.

  • 2001

    Ontario Human Rights Commission rules on accessibility complaint

    [1]

    The commission ruled in favor of Barbara Turnbull in an accessibility case involving Famous Players cinemas.

  • 1999

    Colossus concept expands

    [1]

    The first Colossus opened in Vaughan in February, followed by a Langley location in May.

  • 1997

    First SilverCity opens

    [1]

    Famous Players opened the first SilverCity theatre in St. Catharines, Ontario, on November 7.

  • 1978

    Cable business is acquired by Rogers

    [1]

    Rogers Cablesystems acquired Canadian Cablesystems.

  • 1971

    Company shifts toward cable television

    [1]

    After selling most cinema and other non-television holdings, the company became Canadian Cablesystems Limited.

  • 1953

    Broadcasting assets are acquired

    [1]

    The company acquired CKCO-TV in Kitchener and CFCM-TV in Quebec City.

  • 1952

    Television technology investment begins

    [1]

    Famous Players began investing in television-related technology through a coin-operated television connection system.

Products and positioning

A national Canadian cinema exhibitor that evolved from traditional theatres into large, suburban, technology-oriented multiplexes and megaplexes, while also operating broadcasting and cable assets during part of its history.

  • Cinema exhibition · 1920

    Famous Players theatres

    The core Famous Players offering was a network of Canadian movie theatres, ranging from historic urban venues to modern suburban multiplexes. At its largest, the network covered provinces from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador and included conventional auditoriums, stadium seating, food and entertainment areas, and premium presentation technologies. The namesake banner was gradually replaced by Cineplex Cinemas after the 2005 acquisition.

  • Multiplex cinema · 1997

    SilverCity and StarCité

    SilverCity, known as StarCité in parts of Quebec, was Famous Players' large-format multiplex concept. Locations generally offered multiple screens, stadium seating, premium formats, and in some cases Xscape arcades. The first SilverCity opened in St. Catharines in 1997, while the first StarCité opened in Gatineau in 1999. Cineplex retained selected locations and continues to use the SilverCity and StarCité names.

  • Megaplex cinema · 1997

    Coliseum and Colisée

    The Coliseum concept used a circular exterior and fan-shaped auditoriums arranged around a central lobby. Five large suburban theatres were built under the banner beginning with Mississauga in 1997. Locations incorporated themed displays, arcades, and premium screens. The Coliseum name was eventually retired at Cineplex-owned sites, although elements of the buildings and upgraded presentation facilities remained.

  • Megaplex cinema · 1999

    Colossus Cinemas

    Colossus was a larger, space-themed megaplex format developed to compete with new large-scale cinema entrants. Its buildings featured UFO-inspired exterior and interior design, numerous screens, 3D presentation, IMAX at selected sites, UltraAVX, D-Box, and entertainment arcades. Three locations were built in Vaughan, Langley, and Laval. Cineplex renamed the sites Cineplex Cinemas in 2015.

  • Cable television · 1950

    Cable television services

    For part of its history, the company owned and operated cable television businesses and related distribution assets. This activity became especially important after the company sold most of its cinema and other non-television holdings in 1971 and adopted the Canadian Cablesystems name. The cable business was sold to Rogers Cablesystems in 1978.

Controversies

  • 1993

    Cinema accessibility complaint

    Barbara Turnbull filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission concerning accessibility at Famous Players cinemas. The commission ruled in her favor in 2001. The reference material states that two cinemas were closed rather than being made fully accessible.

    Source

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Brand decisions

  • 2022

    Retirement of the Famous Players bannerStrategy

    Background

    Cineplex had operated the former Famous Players estate for many years and had already renamed several legacy formats.

    Action taken

    Cineplex phased out the Famous Players name at most theatres and favored the Cineplex Cinemas banner, while continuing to use SilverCity at selected locations.

    Aftermath

    Only a small number of individual theatres continued using the Famous Players name, and the corporate entity remained nominally active as a Cineplex subsidiary.

    Source

  • 2015

    Colossus locations are rebrandedGeneration change

    Background

    Cineplex had consolidated the former Famous Players theatre portfolio and was reducing the number of legacy banners.

    Action taken

    The three Colossus locations were renamed Cineplex Cinemas.

    Aftermath

    The sites generally retained distinctive architectural features and selected premium entertainment amenities despite losing the Colossus name.

    Source

  • 2005

    Sale to Cineplex GalaxyM&A

    Background

    Viacom decided to sell its Canadian Famous Players cinema business.

    Action taken

    Cineplex Galaxy, controlled by Onex Corporation, acquired Famous Players. The transaction was completed on July 22, 2005.

    Aftermath

    Twenty-seven theatres were sold to Empire Theatres to satisfy competition concerns, while the remaining assets were integrated into Cineplex's network.

    Reported acquisition value. $500 million (2005)

    Source

  • 1971

    Shift from cinema exhibition to cable televisionStrategy

    Background

    Famous Players had expanded into broadcasting and cable television while maintaining a cinema and broader entertainment portfolio.

    Action taken

    The company sold most of its movie-theatre and other non-television entertainment holdings to Gulf + Western Canada and changed its name to Canadian Cablesystems Limited.

    Aftermath

    The business became focused on cable operations until Rogers Cablesystems acquired it in 1978.

    Source

Sources1 sources

  1. 1Famous Playersen.wikipedia.org

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