Before Netflix queues and streaming marathons, planning a night at the cinema was an event – and this photo, recently shared by Facebook user Francis Xerri, is a snapshot of just that. Taken in Valletta back in 1986, it shows a row of vintage movie posters advertising what was showing in some of the capital's most popular cinemas at the time – many of which no longer exist.

Among the now-defunct cinema names is one familiar survivor: The Embassy Cinema, still standing today but transformed into a modern multiplex that 1980s moviegoers would hardly recognise. Back then, the Embassy was screening ‘Ninja III: The Domination’, a 1984 action-horror flick known for its wild mash-up of martial arts and supernatural possession. According to the poster, the film had six screenings a day – starting at 10AM, with a new showing every two hours until the last one at 8PM – a testament to how wildly popular cinemas were in Malta at the time.

Right next to the Embassy is a poster to Ambassador Cinema, which once shared the same building. It was showing the 1985 Chevy Chase comedy ‘Fletch’, again with six daily showings, making it clear that movie marathons were far from rare!

Further left in the photo, you can spot posters for the Ġojjel and Ġawhra Cinemas, both of which were also located in Valletta. They appear to be screening ‘The Amityville Horror’, a supernatural 1979 classic that had audiences jumping in their seats.

The last poster on the far left whose title is unclear has sparked a bit of mystery – any cinephiles want to take a guess?

Do you remember visiting any of these cinemas?