Saudis End 35-Year Ban on Movie Theaters Saudi Arabia announced on Monday it will allow movie theaters to open in the conservative kingdom next year, for the first time in more than 35 years, in the latest social push by the country's young crown prince. It's a stark reversal in a country where movie theaters were shut down in the 1980s during a wave of ultraconservatism in the country. Many of Saudi Arabia's clerics view Western movies and even Arabic films made in Egypt and Lebanon as sinful.

Saudi Arabia announced on Monday it will allow movie theaters to open in the conservative kingdom next year, for the first time in more than 35 years, in the latest social push by the country's young crown prince.

It's a stark reversal in a country where movie theaters were shut down in the 1980s during a wave of ultraconservatism in the country.

Many of Saudi Arabia's clerics view Western movies and even Arabic films made in Egypt and Lebanon as sinful.

Many Saudis took to Twitter to express their joy at the news, posting images of buckets of movie theater popcorn and moving graphics of people dancing, fainting, and crying.

"It's spectacular news. We are in a state of shock," said Saudi actor and producer, Hisham Fageeh.

Men aren't supposed to see a woman's arm or head, let alone her breast. This will keep censors very busy.

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2017/1211/After-35-year-ban-movie-theaters-allowed-once-again-in-Saudi-Arabia