[4][4] In the UK, the company operated cinemas under the UCI and later Thefilmworks brands, and initially enjoyed a sizeable market share.

They took over the first multiplex cinema opened in the UK by AMC at The Point in Milton Keynes in 1985,[5][6] and were one of the first to purchase a digital projector – costing a massive £130,000 – one out of only 30 worldwide.

Under chairman Tom McGrath, the group expanded to build and operate cinemas in Brazil, China, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan, and the UK.

[neutrality is disputed] In late 2004, the European division of UCI was bought by Terra Firma Capital Partners, along with rival chain Odeon Cinemas.

UCI's Tallaght cinema, the first opened in the country, was closed on 8 March 2010 after the landlords gave the company notice that their lease would not be renewed.

[7] On 31 May 2011, Odeon announced that it had bought back the UCI chain in Ireland (including the Storm Cinemas-branded locations) from Entertainment Enterprises.