By Leah Falcon and Liam Jean Pierre
“It’s alive! It’s alive!” A frankly maniacal rejoice for the resurrection of the formerly defunct Neelsie Cinema. At the twilight of 2025, the Neelsie Student Centre and the larger Stellenbosch community mourned the loss of a local landmark, leaving the town without a cinema closer than Somerset West.
The Road House Cinema opened in the Neelsie Student Centre on 6 March. Photo by Leah Falcon
However, as of 6 March, the Neelsie cinema was reborn as the Neelsie Road House Cinema, bringing with it a new era of film in Stellenbosch, showing brand new releases, such as Scream 7, Hoppers, DominATE Stray Kids Experience, and The Bride. The wafting scent of popcorn is back in the Neelsie.
Road House Cinema took over the facilities and opened on 6 March 2026 with an event that welcomed viewers with complementary cocktails and a viewing of the newly released Scream 7. The refurbishments have imbued the space with a luxurious red-velvet feel of a vintage cinema. “I think you can even see from the look and feel of the cinema, it really is a homage to Hollywood in its heyday mixed with something modern,” said Road House Cinema Marketing Manager, Ryan Waters.
The cult-classic posters and antique film projector that Stellenbosch moviegoers know and love, have been revived and stand in their positions of honour in the new foyer. Beyond the superficial changes, Road House Cinema also installed a new projector and sound system, upgrading the movie-going experience to the point that Die Matie was jumping out of their seats at Scream 7’s jump scares.
The revival isn’t just about red velvet and vintage aesthetics; it’s about what’s happening behind the lens. Beyond screening the latest releases, Waters envisions the space as a cultural catch-all, aiming to “cater to everyone” by balancing high-brow Met Operas with the latest Disney blockbusters. Going beyond the classic silver screen, Waters discussed the venue’s future. “It really is more than just movies. It also extends to eventually hosting live performances, stand-up comedy, live music,” Waters said, noting that this is an approach they have tried and tested at their branch in Hermanus.
The Road House Cinema, that opened on 6 March in the Neelsie Student Centre, is “for the true movie fans”, said Road House Cinema Marketing Manager, Ryan Waters. Photo by Leah Falcon
In addition to this, they will be screening South African seminal works such as The Heart Is a Muscle, South Africa’s recent entry for the Oscars, and even hosted a meet-and-greet with their cast on 8 March as part of the cinema’s opening lineup. Catering to the budget-weary, Road House is offering a 35% discount on films shown on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Waters explained that what fuels Road House is their passion for film, one that they share with Pulp Film Society, Stellenbosch’s resident cinephiles. Looking toward future collaborations, Waters noted that the society members are ultimately fans of film driven by the same passion that drives the Road House team.
Waters discussed that they are catering “for the true movie fans” and will provide “a wonderful entertainment venue where you can actually have a good experience with friends, with your family, and a memorable experience”. The Road House Cinema is also opening its screening rooms up to hire for private functions, including corporate events, presentations, birthday movie screenings and, in Waters’s words, “any kind of celebration, really”.
The Road House Cinema, that opened on 6 March in the Neelsie Student Centre, offers popcorn, slushies, sweets and more. They are offering a 15% discount on snack combos on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Photo by Leah Falcon
While the “Hollywood heyday” provides the aesthetic, the soul of the Neelsie Road House Cinema is found in its accessibility. The revival succeeds by being truly open and allowing not just film-lovers to experience movies in the community, providing the student body with the chance to enjoy the art of movie-watching together. It is a sentiment that suggests the Road House is not just a commercial endeavour, but a new community anchor for culture on campus.
With the 2026 movie season looking to be a packed one with the likes of Devil Wears Prada 2, Michael (the Michael Jackson biopic) and The Odyssey (Christopher Nolan’s star-packed retelling of the classic Greek tale), Road House Cinema will be the place to be this year.
