The country's only cinema will officially open its doors this week after a three-year hiatus with two movies released this year scheduled for screening to local audiences. 

Apollo Cinema Manager Achatz Ott told the Samoa Observer on Monday that the cinema will open on Thursday with the two movies 'The Little Mermaid' and 'The Spiderman: Across the Spider-verse' to feature on the big screen. 

"I know that everyone has been waiting for the cinema to be open, well, now is the time to let the whole of Samoa know of its opening on Thursday," Mr. Ott said. "After three long years, the maintenance is all completed except for the cafe. 

"We are happy to let everyone know that the movies will be 'The Spiderman: Across the Spider-verse' and 'The Little Mermaid'.

"The cinema is set as well as where the popcorn and tickets are sold. All the snacks that everyone has missed at the cinema will all be available again." 

According to Mr. Ott, the cinema is ready but the movies have to be classified by the relevant Government authorities before their screening. He said the classification process of the movies was undertaken and approval has been granted for the two movies to be screened this Thursday. 

"The reason why I chose Thursday is because every year back then when the cinema's doors were opened, almost every family stop by to watch and enjoy our movies here at the cinema," he said. "Now that it is opening on Thursday we expect another crowded day at the cinema." 

The Apollo Cinema is Samoa's only cinema and is one of the most visited places on the island for both locals and overseas families and tourists. Multiple social media posts that were tagged to the local cinema's official Facebook page show the last time it was opened was in February 2020.