The complete guide to the best cinemas in London

Electric Cinema combines comfort, luxury and a rich history at its venues. Though the White City theatre, housed in the landmark Television Centre, is no slouch, the flagship theatre in Notting Hill is especially worth a visit. One of the oldest cinemas in London, it features a stately, elegantly decorated theatre with leather armchairs, front-row beds and back-row sofas, as well as side tables to rest your drink from the fully licensed bar on.

The BFI IMAX cinema in Waterloo boasts the largest screen in the United Kingdom, measuring in at no fewer than 520m². Up to 500 people at a time can relax in the comfortable seating and enjoy an immersive experience, complete with a top-notch sound system.

BFI Southbank shows classics, cult favourites, special releases and the latest blockbusters on its four screens, showcasing the range and depth of both British and international cinematography. The riverside complex features a library with film-related material, a merchandise shop, a bar and restaurant with splendid views of the Thames and more. Make sure to check the online programme, as the venue regularly hosts exhibitions, Q&As, talks and other special events.

The Everyman Cinemas all around the city are distinguished by the level of luxurious comfort they bring to the everyday film-going experience. Their stylishly decorated theatres feature comfy seating, often including armchairs and sofas with footrests or wine coolers, as well as a fully-fledged waiter service that brings the hot food, snacks or drinks you order straight to your seat.

The Odeon chain has state-of-the-art cinemas around London, but its flagship venue in Leicester Square is an icon in and of itself. Designed to host star-studded world premieres, it boasts an 800-seat main auditorium with cutting-edge sound and projection systems. The fully reclining seats are handmade by experts, and the auditorium also has an exclusive Royal Box with plush, extra-wide recliners for ultimate comfort.

Opened back in 1982, the Barbican Centre is a prominent brutalist landmark that houses a gallery, conservatory and also a cinema. The program includes new releases and blockbusters as well as independent productions, documentaries and classic films. The inclusive venue also puts on screenings designed for audience segments such as seniors, neurodiverse people or parents with babies.

Phoenix Cinema is one of the oldest picture houses in the country. Featuring an elegant Art Deco auditorium with a gilded vaulted ceiling, the cinema screens new releases, classic masterpieces and independent productions, as well as hosting other screen arts such as opera and ballet.

Lexi Cinema is a much-loved cinema that’s run by volunteers and not only is supported by the local community, but helps nurture it as well. As well as new releases, the programme features inclusive screenings with lively post-show chats, Q&As, regular discussion groups, screenings for parents with babies and more. Proceeds are donated to charity.

In addition to its many brands, the Selfridges department store in Mayfair boasts a luxury cinema with three state-of-the-art screens showing both the latest blockbusters and independent films. The seats recline for full comfort and include footstools and side tables for the champagne, fine wines, signature cocktails and gourmet snacks you can get in the foyer. You can even order afternoon tea here, and the screens can be hired for private events.

The last remaining indie picture house in the West End, Prince Charles Cinema counts acclaimed directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Edgar Wright and Kevin Smith among its fans. Its chief strength is its committed repertory programme, which showcases a wide range of films from around the world, in different formats and from different periods. It also screens recent releases and hosts special events in its cosy auditoriums.

Picturehouse is a beloved chain of local cinemas in interesting buildings, showing a diverse range of new releases, independent productions, documentaries, classics and more. Among its many branches around the city, highlights include the iconic Ritzy building in Brixton, The Gate’s ornate vintage auditorium, the restored Art Deco venue in Bromley and the members’ rooftop terrace at the flagship cinema in the West End.

The Curzon chain specialises in arthouse films, as well as showing mainstream releases. Its venues around London offer an elegant cinema-going experience in stylish surroundings, with the highlight being the original Mayfair location. Considered to be one of the most luxurious cinemas in the city, Curzon Mayfair dates back to 1934 and regularly hosts premieres in its large auditorium with comfy seats, top-notch equipment, royal boxes and original marble bathrooms.

Ciné Lumière is run by the French Institute, with many regarding it as one of best independent cinemas in the city. It shows French, European and world cinema in an elegant auditorium with snug seats. The programme includes new releases as well as a rich repertory programme. Ciné Lumière also regularly holds talks, Q&As and other events with directors and actors.

The Cinema has two locations in the trendy social and cultural hub of Battersea, one in the newly refurbished Battersea Power Station and one in the surrounding arches. They both feature multiple screens with state-of-the-art equipment and comfortable recliners with individual tables for fine wine, champagne, homemade popcorn and other film snacks. The Power Station cinema even has private boxes with their own mini-bar.

Stow Film Lounge doesn’t have a permanent venue, instead touring its repertory programme around the city, choosing different venues, from chapels to breweries. The screenings range from award-winning documentaries to major blockbusters and are often designed as unique events, for example silent cinema with a live orchestra soundtrack or cycle-in theatres, or come with custom film posters, karaoke or other entertaining side events.

Opened in 1848, Regent Street Cinema is where the first motion picture in the United Kingdom was shown. The country’s oldest indie picture house occupies a Grade II listed building with a dome-like ceiling, restored Art Deco ornamentation and a splendid auditorium that hosts premieres as well as regular screenings. The programme includes both independent and mainstream films, and there’s a fully-stocked bar on hand as well.

With the goal of making film culture and history more accessible, the Close-Up Film Centre presents influential films that have shaped the art of cinema, as well as indie and experimental productions. With a library of more than 20,000 titles specialising in early cinema, classic films, world cinema, video art and more, Close-Up is the most comprehensive independent film resource in the city.

Housed in a brick church venue in Crouch End, Arthouse strives to bring together different cultural arts, for example film, fine art, live music, discussions, theatre and dance. The dynamic cultural hub is run by locals and has a cinema with two screens, where it shows new and mainstream releases as well as independent productions. Filmmakers can even test-drive their films here.

Genesis Cinema strives to be more than just a place to watch a film and eat some popcorn, hosting an events programme that includes swing dancing, slam poetry, live music, Q&As and more. Across its five screens, it shows new releases, documentary films, retrospectives, themed series and more, with a variety of different screenings to choose from as well, for example for people with dementia. There is also a bar, café and outside area to relax in.

With a top-notch 3D sound system and a historical background as a recording studio for the likes of the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Queen and Madonna, Olympic Studios in Barnes prides itself on its audio excellence. Its two screens are equipped with carpeted floors and comfy reclining seats with individual brass tables for your popcorn and drinks, and the programme lists new mainstream releases as well as older classics.

Charging £4.99 for a ticket all day, every day for more than ten years, Peckhamplex is one of the cheapest cinema experiences you can get in London. It doesn’t compromise on variety despite the uniform price, as its six screens feature mainstream, arthouse, foreign-language and independent films. It also hosts film premieres, Q&As and other events with major names such as Ken Loach, Idris Elba and Olivia Coleman.

Run as a charity, Rich Mix is a cultural hub that puts on all sorts of events, from film and theatre to music, spoken word and more, aiming to support and strengthen creativity in its diverse community. In addition to performance and exhibition spaces, workspaces, bars and a restaurant, the landmark building has three screens, showing mainstream releases as well as independent films.

Vue Cinemas boasts an array of modern cinemas situated throughout London. These venues are equipped with several screens, showcasing not only the latest popular movies but also a carefully chosen assortment of timeless classics, as well as Bollywood productions. They also show a variety of big screen events, including operas, sports broadcasts, and theatrical performances from around the world. The cinemas are fitted with comfy seats and advanced audio-visual technology.

The ICA is a gallery, cinema and performance venue that has hosted ground-breaking projects by some of the most important artists and thinkers of the past century, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, David Bowie, Slavoj Žižek and more. Its cinema programme is an influential voice in introducing independent film to global audiences, having featured pioneering filmmakers such as Ken Loach, Chantal Akerman and Joshua Oppenheimer.

With the help of a couple of locals and a crowdfunding campaign, this 1913 picture house was restored into a cosy neighbourhood cinema with a pair of screens, snug seating and Art Deco furnishings. The programme at The Castle Cinema includes the latest features and independent films, and as well special events such as immersive listening sessions of classic albums in pitch darkness.

Over the century of its existence, Dalston’s Rio Cinema kept adapting to survive, resulting in a historic building with a rich cultural heritage and plenty of stories to tell. The Grade II-listed structure shows both mainstream and independent films in its two auditoria, the larger of which has a capacity of almost 400 people.

The Garden Cinema is a recently launched, privately-owned arthouse cinema in Covent Garden. Its interior is suffused in classical film theatre glamour, from the plush red carpeting and shiny metal railings to the intimate lighting. The cinema has two screens and a bar, showing time-honoured classics and new releases.

Catford Mews isn't just a cinema, it's a thriving part of the local community in South East London. There are three cinema screens on-site showing classic films, the latest releases, and recorded theatre productions. The venue also has a café, bar, and food court that showcases local independent traders. Other events also take place at this vibrant space like storytelling clubs.

The cinema chain Cineworld operates modern venues nationwide, all fitted with state-of-the-art screening and sound technology. Depending on location, you can choose from various screens, including IMAX and 4DX experiences. In addition to the usual latest releases and classic films, Cineworld also programs a lot of Bollywood productions – the Ilford branch is even considered among the top Bollywood venues in the UK.

Riverside Studios in West London is a versatile venue that hosts theatre and dance shows, exhibitions, film screenings, festivals, stand-up comedy, and other events. It's housed within a historic Victorian ironworks building that was later transformed into a studio, and guests can enjoy on-site dining options. The venue's various spaces are also available for private hire.

Nestled within the railway arches of Loughborough Junction, Whirled Cinema is an intimate and affordable members' cinema with a seating capacity of just 60. This independent establishment showcases a curated selection of global and arthouse films. Additionally, it features a bar and is also available for private hire.