UPDATE (Jun 29, 2026) After weeks of anxious waiting for an update from Roy Mustaca on the future of Warriewood Cinema, we were very happy to receive this one via the NBL Group: (click here) with Roy confirming “we are not closing, it’s business as usual.”
What great news for the community! We look forward to this wonderful cinema continuing on for many years to come and thank Roy for confirming this is the case.
There was an outpouring of love and support for this wonderful local business on NBL! However, many of our members reported they’d noticed very limited audience numbers prior to us posting about it. NBL actually visited the Monday prior to this news on the long weekend and there were only a handful of other people attending – if you love this local cinema, please support it by going and seeing some movies! Here’s the website for movie screening times: https://www.unitedcinemas.com.au/sites/United-Cinemas-Warriewood/1010
(Original news update from Jun 12 below)
Is it Curtains For Our Beloved Warriewood Cinema?
Planet Warriewood – the property company linked to one of the Northern Beaches’ best-known business families, The Mustacas, has entered receivership, with a number of investment properties and development sites across New South Wales now under external control.
The news has many wondering what that means for the Mustuca owned much-loved United Cinemas on the Northern Beaches – Warriewood, Collaroy and Avalon.
According to reporting by The Australian, Planet Warriewood Pty Ltd, a company directed by Mustaca Group chairman Rocco “Roy” Mustaca, entered external administration on 22 May after receivers were appointed by lender Metrics Credit Partners.
Receiver and manager Costa Nicodemou of Newpoint Advisory is stated to have confirmed the appointment relates to investment properties owned by the company.
The receivership reportedly covers 10 properties across the state, including sites on the Northern Beaches, Port Macquarie, Katoomba, Windsor and Sydney’s CBD. The local properties identified in The Australian report are “a beachfront retail outlet at 36-38 South Steyne, Manly” which is the Wahlburgers site, “4 Vuko Place, Warriewood” which is the cinema address, along with another large property in Warriewood and one in Myoora Road in Terrey Hills.
A family well known on the Northern Beaches
The Mustaca family has been part of the Northern Beaches business community for decades through entertainment, hospitality and property ventures.
Many locals will know the family via their United Cinemas, which has grown into one of Australia’s largest privately owned cinema groups, with locations around the country.
Roy Mustaca, one of the most recognisable members of the family, has become something of a local character over the years. Known for his larger-than-life personality, he is regularly photographed with celebrities and has also pursued a music career, recording several albums.
The family’s profile expanded further in 2020 when they partnered with the Wahlberg family to bring the Wahlburgers restaurant chain to Australia. At the time, media reports said the agreement would see Wahlburgers restaurants rolled out alongside United Cinemas locations, with plans for multiple venues across the country.
The first Northern Beaches location opened in Manly, with reports at the time also flagging future venues in Terrey Hills, on land owned by the Mustaca family, and at Warriewood alongside the United Cinemas complex.
More recently, Roy has been involved in bringing new life to the historic Collaroy Theatre. Built in 1937 and regarded as the oldest operating cinema on the Northern Beaches, the Art Deco landmark recently welcomed live performances back to its stage for the first time in more than 30 years.
The Port Macquarie project
While the receivership has local implications, much of the current attention is focused on a major development site in Port Macquarie.
Planet Warriewood is behind plans for a mixed-use development at 23 Park Street, featuring 210 dwellings, including 35 affordable homes, along with hotel, entertainment, retail and commercial space in a tower rising up to 18 storeys.
The development was declared a State Significant Development by the NSW Government, meaning the final decision will be made at a state level rather than by the local council.
The site also has a long planning history. Earlier plans linked to the Mustaca family included an entertainment precinct featuring a nine-screen United Cinemas complex, but that proposal was rejected before a larger mixed-use scheme emerged.
While the inclusion of the Park Street site in the receivership process creates uncertainty, it does not necessarily mean the development will be abandoned. Receivers often look at options including refinancing, restructuring or selling assets to maximise value.
What happens next?
It is not yet known whether the affected properties will be sold, refinanced or retained through the receivership process. Roy and Sam Mustaca have been approached for comment. We’ll update the story as more news becomes available.
