A further five theatres range from 75 seats up to 200, allowing a big range of films to be screened from blockbusters to art house.
For 14 years, New Lynn has not had a cinema and the development is part of a $39 million extension by listed landlord Kiwi Property which is also adding a new dining precinct with seven outlets.
Before the screening, Smith told the Herald that Ponsonby would be an ideal location for a new Reading. However, securing the right site was a challenge.
He referred to the large Soho development project as one scheme which initially had cinemas in its design. However that was later changed and the new $200 million Vinegar Lane will have offices, a large new Countdown and residences. Construction by Progressive Enterprises is well under way.
Smith attended Wednesday's opening along with Reading's New Zealand general manager Mark Kendrick, based in Wellington, representatives of landlord NZX listed Kiwi Property and project builder NZ Strong.
Reading is headquartered in Los Angeles, employs more than 2300 people and has operations in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.