Almost two months after Ryan Coogler’s latest film, Black Panther, debuted in theaters across America, smashing box office records and raking in millions, the film is still making history.
On April 18, the film will open in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, making it one of the first films to screen in the Middle Eastern nation since cinemas were banned 35 years ago.
Black Panther is slated to play at a luxurious new AMC theater in the capital city of Riyadh, which Variety reports has multiple levels, over 600 leather seats, and marble bathrooms. It’s the first of many high-end theaters that are scheduled to open across the oil-rich nation in the next few years.
Staunchly conservative, Saudi Arabia has been slowly allowing its citizens to have more freedom in recent years as a part of Prince Mohammed’s plans to diversify the economy and enact social change. In addition to reopening public cinemas, Saudi Arabia is also ditching its laws prohibiting women from driving.
Since opening in February, Black Panther has made over $650 million domestically, and $1.28 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest grossing films in history.