Colosseum Kino
Colosseum Kino is a historic cinema in Oslo, Norway, known for its monumental dome, large-format screenings, and THX-certified auditorium.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Colosseum Kino is a landmark cinema in Oslo, Norway, distinguished by a large spherical dome and a long history of adopting new film exhibition technologies. Established as a public company on 20 December 1921, it opened with approximately 2,100 seats and was described as Scandinavia’s largest cinema. The building was associated with D. F. Olsen, its largest shareholder and the person responsible for its construction. Its scale and architectural presence made it an important venue in Oslo’s cultural and commercial life from its earliest years. In 1929, the Norwegian government acquired the cinema. The change in ownership reflected the competitive relationship between Colosseum and other government-owned cinemas. In 1948, the venue was transferred to Oslo Kinematografer, the municipal cinema organization responsible for operation in the capital. During the following decades, Colosseum became a prominent showcase for developments in theatrical presentation. It screened Norway’s first colour film presentation in 1935, introduced CinemaScope in 1954, installed the three-projector Cinemiracle system in 1958, and adopted 70mm projection in 1960. These upgrades were accompanied by changes to the auditorium and public areas, including a reduction from the original capacity to approximately 1,250 seats by 1960. A major fire on 15 February 1963 temporarily closed the cinema. Reconstruction was undertaken under the supervision of architect Sverre Fehn. Further complications, including a smaller roof fire and a work accident, delayed the return to service, but Colosseum reopened on 12 September 1964. The reopening featured Lawrence of Arabia on a screen measuring approximately 27.5 by 9.5 metres. The restored venue had 1,158 seats and was widely regarded as one of Europe’s notable cinemas. Its dome measures slightly more than 40 metres across, giving the auditorium its defining architectural character. Colosseum continued to evolve as an exhibition venue rather than remaining a single-screen theatre. New seating was installed in the dome in 1980. In 1987, it reopened as a cinematic centre after the addition of three new halls, bringing the complex to four auditoriums. A new copper roof was installed in 1988 by Kattomestarit Oy of Hämeenlinna, Finland. The building underwent a comprehensive interior and exterior refurbishment beginning in April 1998. The project included new sound equipment and systems intended to meet THX requirements. In December 1998, Colosseum became officially THX certified and was described as the world’s largest THX-certified cinema. The venue has also been associated with major film premieres, premiere parties, and long-running engagements. Films specifically linked with its history include My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music. During 1966 and 1967, more than half a million people reportedly saw The Sound of Music at Colosseum, a remarkable attendance figure in relation to Oslo’s population at the time. In the digital era, Colosseum adopted browser-based ticketing through the Newman solution in November 2007, reportedly becoming the first Norwegian cinema to use such a system. In December 2009, its principal auditorium, Colosseum 1, received an Alcons Audio CinemArray system using line-array and Pro-Ribbon high-frequency technology. The venue’s identity therefore combines heritage architecture, large-capacity exhibition, premium sound, major-format film presentation, and a continuing role in Oslo’s cinema culture. Publicly available reference material does not establish a separate corporate brand structure, current owner, or named executive leadership for Colosseum Kino.
History
Colosseum Kino was established as a public company on 20 December 1921. Its largest shareholder was D. F. Olsen, who was also responsible for the construction of the cinema building. With approximately 2,100 seats, the venue opened as Scandinavia’s largest cinema and quickly became an important exhibition site in Oslo. The Norwegian government acquired Colosseum on 1 July 1929. In 1948, ownership was transferred to Oslo Kinematografer. The cinema’s history is marked by repeated adoption of new presentation formats. It showed Norway’s first colour film presentation in 1935, installed CinemaScope in 1954, introduced the three-projector Cinemiracle system in 1958, and added 70mm projection in 1960. At that point, the venue had approximately 1,250 seats and had also refurbished its entrance hall. On 15 February 1963, a major fire forced the cinema to close. Architect Sverre Fehn supervised the restoration. A further roof fire and a work accident complicated the rebuilding, but the cinema eventually reopened on 12 September 1964. The reopening programme was Lawrence of Arabia, shown on a screen approximately 27.5 metres wide and 9.5 metres high. The restored auditorium had 1,158 seats. Its dome, slightly more than 40 metres in diameter, remained the building’s most distinctive feature. New chairs were installed in the dome in 1980. In 1987, the venue reopened as a cinematic centre after adding three halls, creating a four-auditorium complex. A copper roof was installed in 1988 by Kattomestarit Oy, a Finnish company based in Hämeenlinna. Beginning in April 1998, Colosseum underwent major interior and exterior refurbishment. The project included the installation of sound equipment and systems intended to satisfy THX standards. The cinema received official THX certification in December 1998 and was described in contemporary reference material as the largest THX-certified cinema in the world. Colosseum has hosted premiere parties and extended runs of popular films. My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music are among the productions associated with the venue. More than 500,000 people reportedly watched The Sound of Music there during 1966 and 1967, a figure exceeding Oslo’s total population at that time. The venue later modernised its customer-facing systems. In November 2007, it installed the Newman ticketing solution, reportedly becoming the first Norwegian cinema with browser-based cinema ticketing. In December 2009, Colosseum 1 received an Alcons Audio CinemArray sound system combining line-array and Pro-Ribbon high-frequency technology. The available references document the cinema’s architecture, technological upgrades, notable screenings, and institutional ownership changes, but do not identify a current parent company, owner, website, or executive team.
- 2009
Alcons Audio sound upgrade
[1]Colosseum 1 received an Alcons Audio CinemArray sound system.
- 2007
Browser-based ticketing
[1]The Newman ticketing solution was installed.
- 1998
Refurbishment and THX certification
[1]A major refurbishment culminated in official THX certification in December.
- 1987
Expansion to four halls
[1]The venue reopened as a cinematic centre after adding three new halls.
- 1964
Reopening after restoration
[1]Colosseum reopened with 1,158 seats and premiered Lawrence of Arabia on a large screen.
- 1963
Major fire
[1]A major fire closed Colosseum and led to a substantial restoration programme.
- 1960
70mm projection introduced
[1]The cinema installed 70mm projection and screened South Pacific in the format after refurbishing its entrance hall.
- 1958
Cinemiracle installation
[1]A three-projector Cinemiracle system was installed, with Windjammer as the first film screened using it.
- 1954
CinemaScope installation
[1]Colosseum became the first Norwegian cinema to install CinemaScope, premiering The Robe in the format.
- 1948
Transferred to Oslo Kinematografer
[1]Ownership of the cinema was transferred to Oslo Kinematografer.
Products and positioning
A landmark Oslo cinema positioned around architectural distinction, large-scale film presentation, premium sound, technological innovation, and event-oriented theatrical exhibition.
Cinema exhibition · 1921
Cinema screenings
The core offering is theatrical exhibition of feature films across the venue’s auditoriums. Colosseum’s historical significance comes from combining a large central dome auditorium with additional halls added during its 1987 expansion.
Premium cinema presentation · 1954
Large-format film presentation
Colosseum has repeatedly supported large-format and advanced presentation systems, including CinemaScope from 1954, Cinemiracle from 1958, and 70mm projection from 1960. The venue’s large screen and domed auditorium have made it particularly suitable for spectacle-oriented films.
Cinema audio · 1998
Premium sound presentation
The cinema’s sound offering has included THX-certified systems installed during the late-1990s refurbishment and an Alcons Audio CinemArray system added to Colosseum 1 in 2009. These upgrades supported the venue’s premium positioning and emphasis on immersive film sound.
Events and premieres
Cinema events
Colosseum has hosted film premiere parties and high-profile engagements. Its history includes long runs of films such as My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music, making event screenings and culturally prominent releases part of the venue’s public identity.
Ticketing · 2007
Online ticketing
In 2007, the cinema installed the Newman ticketing solution, described in the reference material as a browser-based cinema ticketing system and the first of its kind used by a Norwegian cinema.
Brand decisions
2009
Sound-system upgrade in Colosseum 1Generation changeBackground
The principal auditorium required a contemporary high-performance sound system to support premium film presentation.
Action taken
Colosseum 1 was equipped with an Alcons Audio CinemArray system using line-array and Pro-Ribbon high-frequency technology.
Aftermath
The upgrade further developed the auditorium’s premium audio capability.
2007
Adoption of browser-based ticketingStrategyBackground
Cinema customers were increasingly being served through online and browser-based booking systems.
Action taken
Colosseum installed the Newman ticketing solution.
Aftermath
The cinema was reported to be the first in Norway to use a browser-based cinema ticketing solution.
1998
Refurbishment and THX certificationStrategyBackground
The cinema closed in April 1998 for comprehensive interior and exterior refurbishment, including upgrades to its speaker and sound systems.
Action taken
Colosseum installed systems intended to meet THX requirements and obtained official THX certification in December 1998.
Aftermath
The venue was described as the largest THX-certified cinema in the world, reinforcing its premium large-format identity.
Sources2 sources
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