London Cinemas

The UK capital has an eclectic range of cinemas from arthouse picturehouses to state-of-the-art. Take your pick from the top London Cinemas with the best features to cater to your needs.

The UK capital has an eclectic range of cinemas from arthouse picturehouses to state-of-the-art. Take your pick from the top London Cinemas with the best features to cater to your needs.

Most Technically Impressive: Kingston Odeon

See more, hear more, feel more and immerse yourself in the action with ODEON IMAX ®. The IMAX Experience is powered by a combination of the world’s sharpest images, crystal-clear digital surround sound and custom-designed auditoriums. And 3D screenings offer the ultimate cinema experience – one you’ll want to reach out and touch. Stunning images – Whether you’re experiencing a film in 2D or IMAX 3D, the visual clarity is unsurpassed. Crystal clear sound – A powerful state-of-the-art digital surround sound system features laser-aligned loudspeakers precisely tuned for each film presentation. You’ll experience fantastic sound quality regardless of where you are seated. Immersive auditorium design – IMAX theatre geometry is designed to maximise your field of view. You’ll feel like you’re in the film! With floor to ceiling screens, the IMAX experience will take you to places you have only ever imagined. Odeon Kingston, The Rotunda, Clarence Street, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1
1QP. Station: Kingston. Call: 0871 2244007. To book tickets visit: www.odeon.co.uk

Pure Eclectic: The Prince Charles Cinema
Situated in the heart of Leicester Square, the Prince Charles cinema doles out about 10 theatrical releases per week with prices starting as low as £1.50. Anything can happen here from the sophisticated Vintage Film Season featuring classics, to Sing-a-longs to musical cinematic favourites. Undoubtedly, the most eclectic mix of film goers under one roof at the same time! The Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place off Leicester Square, Westminster, London, WC2H 7BP. Tube: Leicester Square. Call: 0870 8112559. To book tickets visit: www.princecharlescinema.com

Best For Celebrity Stalking: Leicester Square Odeon
Arguably one of the capital’s biggest and most famous cinemas, this is where the majority of London’s film premieres are held. The UK’s largest single screen cinema, it also has five other screens in the adjacent Mezzanine cinema. Other assets include a large circle bar and royal retiring room should the Queen pop in! Odeon Leicester Square, 22 – 24 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7JY. Tube: Leicester Square. Call: 0871 2244007. To book tickets visit: www.odeon.co.uk

Most Central Location: Apollo Regent Street
Built as part of a £70 million investment to enhance Lower Regent Street, the Apollo is a fancy glass fronted cinema, equipped with a bar and 5 licensed auditoriums filled with fullsize reclining armchairs. Apollo Cinema Piccadilly Circus, London, SW1Y 4LR. Tube: Piccadilly Circus. Call: 0871 2206000. To book tickets visit: www.apollocinemas.com

The Sophisticant: Renior Cinema
The Renoir oozes sophistication and elegance, and it is also renowned as the best arthouse cinema in London. In addition it screens classic and independent and films. They also hold director and audience Q & A’s, where an added insight into the film can be gained. Renior, Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AW. Tube: Russell Square. Call: 0871 7033 99. To book tickets visit: www.curzoncinemas.com

Just Chilaxing: Curzon Soho
The Curzon Soho specializes in new British films and world cinema, throwing in some classics here and there for good measure. It has a cafe at street level called Konditor and Cook, which offers Wi-Fi and sells delicious cakes once complimented on by Nigella Lawson. On the Mezzanine level they have plenty of seating, changing art exhibitions and a licensed bar. You can also take your bevies into the auditorium. Cuzon Soho, 99 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 5DY. Tube: Piccadilly. Call: 08717033988 To book tickets visit: www.curzoncinemas.com

Best for History Enthusiasts: Imperial War Museum
For all war film fans out there, the Imperial War Museum is a must. One of the essential sights for anyone in London anyway, it also comprises a programme focusing on war and student films, speeches and newsreels from World War II. Imperial War Museum London, Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ. Call: 02074165000. To book tickets visit: london.iwm.org.uk

Culture Vulture Venue: Ritzy Picture House
Down the road from the famous Brixton market, The Ritzy offers an interesting variety of independent film, screening everything from Romanian dramas to French cinema to blockbusters. They also host live Met Opera screenings and, not limiting themselves to the big screen only, upstairs at the Ritzy you can enjoy film quizzes, Brit pop, reggae, Jazz and Blues nights. Ritzy Picture House, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, London, SW2 1JG. Tube: Brixton. Call: 0871 704 2065. To book tickets visit: www.picturehouse.co.uk

Lush Home Comforts: The Exhibit
The Exhibit is a lush boutique cinema equipped with two-seater leather sofas and wide cushions, with only enough space for 24 people; it is literally a home from home cinema experience. You can also take snacks up from the bar beneath, or enjoy dinner downstairs, which means you can buy a cinema ticket for only £3, and finish your pudding whilst watching the movie. Screenings are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only. The Exhibit, 12 Balham Station Road, Balham, London, SW12 9SG. Tube: Balham. Call: 0208 7726556. Or visit: www.theexhibit.co.uk

The Trendy: Clapham Picturehouse
Arthouse film haven Clapham Picturehouse, once merely a snooker hall, it was converted into a cinema in 1998 and has been growing ever since. It is now home to a large cafe offering wines, spirits, beer and food and was recently expanded to accommodate its growing popularity among the Clapham community. Here, dip into alternative cinema, blockbusters and regular director Q & A’s. Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn Street, London, SW4 0AT. Tube: Clapham Common. Call 0871 704 2055. To book tickets visit: www.picturehouse.co.uk

Most Nostalgic: Chelsea Cinema
Sporting an old style single letter film display on it’s front, this cinema is bound to make you feel nostalgic. Inside it has only one screen, which is supersized seating 713 people. They tend to host one specially selected film at a time, as well as occasional Met Opera and theatre productions. Chelsea Cinema, 206 Kings Road, London, SW3 5XP. Tube: Sloane Square. Call: 0871 7033 990. To book tickets visit: www.curzoncinemas.com

Oh-So Cool: Rio Cinema
East London’s home of independent film, the Rio Cinema, is one of London’s oldest cinemas established in 1909. At the Rio any cravings for good foreign cinema can be easily fulfilled due to their dedication to screening a comprehensive range. They also offer several late night showings for those who enjoy a midnight movie, and for a trip down memory lane, on Wednesday’s they screen classic movies. Rio Cinema, 107 Kingsland High Street, London, E8. Tube: Dalston Kingsland Station. Call: 0207 2419410. To book tickets visit: www.riocinemaonline.org.uk

Best for Budding Artists: Stratford East Picturehouse
Here you can enjoy a mixture of arty and mainstream cinema. The bar is a creative hub, where you can have a drink whilst looking out onto Stratford’s Cultural Quarter; and if you are a budding artist they will let you display your artwork on its walls. They also run a film quiz on the first Tuesday of every month and discounted prices on a Monday. Stratford East Picturehouse, Salway Road, London E15 1BX. Tube: Stratford. Call: 0871 704 2066. To book tickets visit: www.picturehouses.co.uk

Most Going On: The Tricycle
The Tricycle is a quaint cinema holding only one screen and one miniscule theatre. Nevertheless, it is a hub of activity; with changing art exhibitions in the gallery, a script reading service, regular theatre productions, special events and a large bar, there is something for everyone! They screen films you won’t find in the big cinemas, such as documentaries and world cinema and often hold Q & A’s with directors. To book tickets visit: www.tricycle.co.uk or call 020 7328 1000

Delightfully Quaint: Screen on the Green
This is a petite cinema that holds only 300 seats; which is great for an intimate feel. They show mostly arthouse and independent films that you can enjoy whilst slurping on ice cream, which is made in Hampshire especially for the cinema! Everyman Screen on the Green, 83 Upper Street, London, N1 0NP. Tube: Angel. Call: 0870 066 4777. To book tickets visit: www.everymancinema.com

Best for a First Date: Kingston Odeon
Located in the heart of the Rotunda complex, it is surrounded by chain restaurants such as Frankie and Benny’s and Pizza Express, with a bowling alley beneath; the perfect place to enjoy a first date! The cinema itself also has a bar where you can enjoy cocktails and snacks. It screens mostly mainstream movies; however you can often find the odd foreign film. Odeon Kingston, The Rotunda, Clarence Street, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1QP. Station: Kingston. Call: 0871 2244007. To book tickets visit: www.odeon.co.uk

Keeping it Green: The Lexi Cinema
The Lexi is a unique cinema as 100% of its profit goes to The Sustainability Institute, which supports an eco centre in Cape Town, South Africa. The Institute focuses on helping communities get the most out of the world’s natural resources in order to enable a bright sustainable future for all. As well as improving the world, they screen life enriching arthouse films, Met Opera live and have a bar where you can enjoy a guilt free beer. The Lexi Cinema, 194b Chamberlayne Road, Kensil Rise, London, NW10 3JU. Tube: Kensil Rise. Call: 0871 704 2069. To book tickets visit: www.thelexicinema.co.uk

Most Educational: Science Museum Imax Cinema
The Science Museum you once visited with your school has more than just exhibitions. They also offer exciting 3D films that plunge you into the world of the deep sea, rainforest, dinosaur land and space; an entertaining and educational afternoon for all the family. Also, if you buy one film, you can watch a second half price! The Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD. Tube: South Kensington. Call: 08708704868. To book tickets visit: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk