Old Woodlands Cinema
As we speed down the causeway towards our favourite long weekend haunt, JB, we rarely spare a glance at the Old Woodlands Cinema. Sitting right at the causeway’s entrance, this dilapidated building with its peeling paint and missing tiles might not look like much today. But decades ago, it was a vibrant and thriving hub for many Singaporeans.
What was the Old Woodlands Cinema known for?
Vibrant town centre in the 1970s
Image credit: Reddit
In the early 1950s, there were plans to redevelop the kampung in Woodlands with HDBs. By the 1970s, over 1,300 housing units were built, and soon after, the Woodlands Town Centre emerged as the heart and soul of the new neighbourhood.
The town centre was considered a mall, and had everything its residents needed – tailoring services, textile shops, a hawker centre, even a 2-storey Sheng Shiong. The highlight of the mall, however, was the cineplex that resided within its walls.
Shaw Brothers-owned cineplex
Image credit: Fr_echidna via Reddit
The cineplex, also known as the Old Woodlands Cinema, was one of the earliest cineplexes established in Singapore.
Unlike the swanky movie theatres of today, the cinemas back then could only screen 1 film at a time. A cineplex – which could host multiple viewings in separate auditoriums simultaneously – was a game-changer and made Old Woodlands Cinema the place to catch the latest blockbusters, all thanks to Shaw Brothers.
A look inside the cinema now
Image credit: Atlas Dark via Reddit
We know we said abandoned, but jeez, these pictures are giving off a serious eeriness. Despite the horror vibes, you can tell that it’s a cinema – it’s not that much different to the ones we have today.
The pictures we found of the Old Woodlands Cinema are both a peek into the past and a reminder of the similarities between Singapore before and Singapore now.
Image credit: Atlas Dark via Reddit
A second auditorium, with its projector screen still intact, offers a surreal glimpse into a bygone era. While the ceiling tiles are falling, and the seats might be abandoned, it’s not hard to imagine a full house in this cinema with all the seats filled up with people who are about to watch the latest movie together.
Image credit: Atlas Dark via Reddit
Outside the cineplex, you’ll find the snacks and drinks kiosk still standing, complete with metal railings for movie-goers to queue at. Unfortunately, it has since shuttered for good, so you won’t be getting any popcorn here.
Image credit: Atlas Dark via Reddit
Much like a dead, unlit neon Pepsi sign, the cinema has fallen far from its glory days. With newer, fancier malls like Causeway Point opening during the 1980s, the Old Woodlands Cinema and its adjoining mall slowly faded into obscurity, eventually shutting down in 2016.
Abandoned cinema in Woodlands
If you’re thinking about visiting the Old Woodlands Cinema, just note that you’ll only be able to stand outside the building. The entire area is closed to the public and slated for redevelopment, but the next time you’re on the way to JB, keep an eye out for this nostalgic landmark and remember the role it played in shaping community and entertainment in the 1970s.
Other abandoned places in Singapore
Cover image adapted from: Fr_echidna & Atlas Dark via Reddit