Unique and Unusual Cinemas in London

London has lots of unique, intimate and independent cinemas. 

You can relax in decadent surroundings at the Electric, feel like you're part of the action at IMAX cinema or sing along to your favourite movie musicals at the Prince Charles. We've picked a selection of London's most interesting cinemas, all of them well worth a visit.

The Electric Cinema

Opened in 1910, the Electric Cinema on Portobello Road is one of London's oldest cinemas. Nowadays, The Electric screens both mainstream and arthouse films. Comfort is paramount with large leather armchairs, footstools and side tables for your food and drink, plus a well-stocked bar at the back of the cinema. 

Prince Charles Cinema

Just off Leicester Square, the Prince Charles is an independent cinema offering cut-price tickets for a range of films: blockbusters as well as specialist screenings. Don't miss the sing-along nights, where audience participation is strongly encouraged. Belt out your favourites from The Sound of Music, Grease or the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Cine Lumiere

Located at the Institut Francais du Royaume-Uni in South Kensington, the Cine Lumiere specialises in the best French, European and World cinema. The venue also hosts the London component of the annual French Film Festival. Cine Lumiere seats 300 people and don't worry if you can't speak French – everything's screened with English subtitles. 

IMAX 3D at the Science Museum

For an exciting cinema experience, head to the Science Museum's IMAX 3D cinema, don a pair of silly-looking glasses and immerse yourself in the action. While you're at the state-of-the-art museum, explore the science of IMAX, as well as other scientific delights. Want more? Check out BFI IMAX, home to the UK's largest cinema screen.

BFI Southbank

BFI Southbank screens classic, contemporary, avant garde and traditional films from around the world and much closer to home. Visitors can also browse hundreds of hours of film and TV from the BFI (British Film Institute) National Archive, check out the drop-in studio cinema, and shop for a range of films and books at the Filmstore.

The Lexi Cinema

The Lexi Cinema is an 80-seat venue in North-West London. It's the city's first "social enterprise" arthouse cinema, where all profits go to charity. The Lexi shows latest release films as well as hosting special screenings for festivals and fundraising events, which are often accompanied by parties in the cinema's chic surrounds.    

The Ritzy

The Ritzy in Brixton is the UK's largest independent specialist cinema. It shows a mix of arthouse, mainstream and world movies on its five screens. Built in 1910, the Ritzy retains its unique proscenium arch, as well as a few stray cherubs, making it one of the most complete examples of London's early cinemas. 

Rio Cinema

The 100-year-old Rio Cinema on Kingsland High Street in Dalston proudly claims to serve sections of the community who are often ignored by mainstream commercial cinema. Annual film festivals showcase the work of Turkish, Kurdish, Spanish and Gay & Lesbian filmmakers. Plus there's midweek Classic Matinées, a kids' film club and babes-in-arms sessions. 

Tricycle Cinema

The Tricycle's output reflects the diversity of its community in the London borough of Brent. In 2009, more than 40,000 young people visited to see films and plays, or to take part in workshops. As well as a theatre, the Tricycle houses a modern, 300-seater cinema, showing the best independent and arthouse films from around the world. 

Phoenix Cinema

East Finchely's Grade II listed Phoenix Cinema is the UK's oldest purpose-built cinema still in operation. A £1.1 million refurb was completed in 2010. Phoenix's film programme includes new releases, independent, foreign-language and specialist films, plus a repertoire of old and new classics. The venue regularly hosts a kids club, festivals, talks, screenings and school workshops.

Screen on the Green

Perhaps unusually for a cinema, Islington's Screen on the Green is best known for hosting a legendary 1976 gig featuring the Buzzcocks, The Clash and the Sex Pistols. Nowadays, the Edwardian moviehouse with just one screen boasts an in-cinema bar serving food & drinks and your choice of comfy cinema seats or double couches. 

Gate Picturehouse

Part of the Picturehouse group of cinemas, the Gate is a beautiful and intimate Edwardian single-screen cinema in Notting Hill. Specialising in foreign language and art-house films, the Gate also shows mainstream releases and has a well-stocked bar and famously plush seats.

Unique & Unusual Cinemas in London Map

The Electric Cinema
A plush cinema on Portobello Road in London's Notting Hill
Prince Charles Cinema
See blockbusters, specialist screenings and join singalongs too!
Cine Lumiere
See French, European and World cinema at the Institut Francais
Science Museum IMAX
Cosy up indoors with IMAX 3D, the ultimate cinematic experience
BFI Southbank
A world-class, state-of-the art cinema on London's South Bank
The Lexi Cinema
A small, independent cinema in Kensal Rise. Profits go to charity
The Ritzy
Local south west London cinema dating back to 1911
Rio Cinema
World movies and new releases on Kingsland High Street, Dalston
Screen on the Green
Boutique cinema in Islington with a weekly comedy night!
Phoenix Cinema
East Finchely's 1910-built cinema has been fully refurbished
Tricycle Cinema
A luxury 300 seater independent cinema

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