Cine Araújo and Grupo Vila Rica acquire UCI cinema network in Brazil

Paramount Skydance has completed the sale of the UCI cinema network in Brazil. The acquisition is being made by a joint venture between Cine Araújo and Grupo Vila Rica, the owner of the Cineart network and Cineart Filmes distributor.

The transaction includes 25 cinema complexes and more than 200 screens across 11 Brazilian states, including major markets such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador. The deal covers both UCI and UCI Kinoplex operations, the latter of which is managed in partnership with the Severiano Ribeiro group.

This move significantly reshapes the Brazilian exhibition market. With the incorporation of these new units, Cine Araújo will operate a total of 432 screens, positioning it as the third-largest cinema exhibitor in Brazil according to Ancine data, trailing only Cinemark and Cinépolis. This acquisition allows Cine Araújo to expand its national presence beyond its traditional focus on medium-sized cities.