‘Black Panther’ will be the first movie shown in Saudi Arabia in 35 years

Marvel's Black Panther will notch another historic milestone in April 2018, as it is set to become the first movie to be publicly screened in Saudi Arabia following an end to the country's 35-year ban on cinema.

Variety reported that Disney and Italia Film, the studio's Middle East distribution partner, will release Black Panther on April 18, 2018, at the country's new AMC-branded theater in Riyadh, the first theater to open since the country lifted the ban in December 2017.

Saudia Arabia's conservative clerics instituted the ban on cinema in the early 1980s. In December 2017, the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman lifted the ban as part of a push for social and economic reform.

According to Variety, AMC Entertainment plans to open 40 cinemas in Saudi Arabia in the next five years, and up to 100 theaters in the country by the year 2030.

Black Panther entered the top 10 of the highest-grossing films of all time at the worldwide box office this week. Its success has been bolstered by a surprisingly strong showing in international markets like China.