Best Cinema In London? It's Hard To Pick One, So Here Are 18 Amazing Options

You can't begin a list about London's best cinemas without mentioning the Odeon in Leicester square. Not necessarily the most romantic choice for a date, but it's hosted some of the capital's glitziest premieres. If you venture to this screen, you'll likely be sharing your seat with some quite amazing previous film-viewers. From Marilyn Monroe to Margot Robbie and more recently Meghan Markle, everyone who is anyone has visited the building. Having recently undergone a multi-million-pound facelift, this Art Deco cinema now has deluxe recliner seats and the option to upgrade to the Royal Box, no noble bloodline required.

Address: 22-24, Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LQClick here for more information.

If the big, bright neon signs and retro façade aren’t enough to draw you in, the waiter service certainly will – get ready for guac and tortilla chips delivered direct to your seat. As a single screen cinema, there’s no need for lengthy debates over film choice with friends and there’s even the chance to find the inside scoop with post-screening Q&A discussions.

Address: 83 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 ONP

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If you're not a fan of sober movie-watching, this could be your next favourite haunt. TT Liquor - a library themed liquor store-cum-bar with a cinema screen tucked behind a secret door - is a holy grail for Shoreditch residents. And if the thought of yet another espresso martini makes you yawn, make sure to try one of their own cocktail creations, themed around each film shown.

Address: 17B Kingsland Road, Hackney, London, E2 8AA

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Opened in 1934 by by the Marques de Casa Maury, Curzon Mayfair is a hub of cinematographic activity and is one of several UK-based Curzon cinemas. In addition to showing several films on a daily basis, it also hosts premieres, had a large auditorium, royal boxes and the most Instagrammable marble bathroom.s

Address: 38 Curzon Street, London, W1J 1TY

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Why settle for film credits when you can hear from the movie maestros themselves? Everyone from critically acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, to award-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming have been guests at the Barbican’s screen talk series. If you’re 25 or under, take advantage of the perks of the free ‘Young Barbican’ membership and get tickets for you and a friend for only £5. Wave goodbye to planning your cinema trip around discounted matinee screenings.

Address: Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS

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You don’t need to hop on the Eurostar to experience the best of French cinema. The Institut Français has an in-house boutique cinema showing cult French classics, new releases and a range of international films. And, if GCSE French listening tests weren’t your forte, rest assured there are English subtitles. If you sign up for its 25 and under scheme, you can get access to their whole cinema programme for £5.

Address: 17 Queensbery Pl, Kensington, London SW7 2DT

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This stunning Edwardian classic single-screen cinema will transport you to the bygone days of the glamorous silver screen. While the exterior may not grab your attention, the auditorium certainly will; think ornate red and gold walls, along with grand drapes that guarantee a dramatic unveiling of the screen. In the unlikely event that you dislike your film, all is not lost; the reclined velvet seats can send even the gravest of insomniacs to sleep.

Address: 87 Notting Hill Gate, Kensington, London W11 3JZ

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If you like the sound of sofa booths, footstools and drinks served on boujee silver plates, you’ll love this quaint cinema on Hampstead Heath. The ticket price may be steeper than usual, but the chance to dodge central London crowds is worth it. Why not broaden your cultural horizon and watch a broadcast of live opera or ballet production by the Royal Opera House? Or, if you’re an art lover, attend their next ‘Exhibition on Screen’ event and learn something new about Frieda Khalo or Lucian Freud.

Address: 5 Holly Bush Vale, London NW3 6TX

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The capital’s only social enterprise cinema, The Lexi is a volunteer-run cinema which came to fruition in 2008 after its 2006 Kensal Rise site was destroyed.

The Lexi – which is now home at a former derelict pool club - is all about community and was originally designed to have a relationship with an ecological project - the Sustainability Institute near Lynedoch in South Africa – to provide entertainment to local residents and financial aid to the Institute. When it comes to its finances, 100% of The Lexi’s profits go to charity so you know with each viewing your money is going to good use.

Following a devastating fire in September 2020 during the Coronavirus pandemic, the refurbished Lexi opened again the public in May 2021.

Address: 194B Chamberlayne Rd, London, NW10 3JU

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Boasting a screen almost the height of five double decker buses, Odeon BFI IMAX is anything but low key. The building’s glass-enclosed cylinder design is as impressive as the digital surround sound, and its 3D technology so realistic you’ll be living each scene as the lead. Easily frightened? Steer clear of horror films, or perhaps set yourself up for a challenge.

Address: 1 Charlie Chaplin Walk South Bank SE1 8XR

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Switch your usual popcorn order for masala fries that will make your taste buds sing. Rich Mix is an independent cultural centre in Shoreditch that has both an in-house cinema and Indian street food restaurant. Each of the three screens have a distinctive colour scheme inspired by the stained-glass window themed walls and tickets are great value at £6 (on a Monday) which means more to spend satisfying your hunger pangs.

Address: 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, London E1 6LA

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From all-night movie marathons to carefree singalongs, you can give adulthood a break at this Soho gem. Amicable ushers will even take you to your seat, meaning no more embarrassing struggles to find H7 in darkness, hallelujah! One of the few remaining independent cinemas in London, the Prince Charles makes for a playful birthday spot or work party.

Address: 7 Leicester Pl, London WC2H 7BY

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Head down to Brixton today and you won’t be able to miss The Ritzy. A Picturehouse site showing the latest films, The Ritzy is also a great place to socialise with friends around the clock, whether you want to grab a coffee and salad at lunchtime in the bar or a cocktail and beer at night.

It’s a well-known venue in Brixton thanks to its large red lettering outside its doors and witty messages on the board outside.

Address: 26 Brixton Road Brixton, Coldharbour Ln, London SW2 1JG

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The cinema inside the Olympic Recording Studios will lure you in with their opulent brass side tables, carpeted floor and popcorn served in minimalistic paper bags. If you’re as obsessed with Scandinavian designs as Instagram is, you will love their Norwegian armchairs. The front row is equipped with spacious footstools to enhance the luxurious cinematic experience and for the snugglers out there; head to the back for two-person love seats and sofas.

Address: 117-123 Church Rd, Barnes, London SW13 9HL

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A local institution, Peckhamplex is an independent, multiplex cinema loved by south Londoners. From indie flicks to art house films, Peckhamplex’s film programme truly captures the zeitgeist and with tickets as low as £4 all week long, you'll want to keep going back to this gem.

Address: 95A Rye Ln, Peckham, London SE15 4ST

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A second-home to art students, the ICA is a contemporary artistic and cultural centre with an in-house cinema showing an array of independent films and previews that are so niche you’ve probably never heard of them. See new work from underground creatives at the Artist’s Film Club and network with fellow aspiring filmmakers. On Tuesdays, tickets cost as little as £3 for ICA members and £6 for the public.

Address: The Mall, St. James's, London SW1Y 5AH

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Dying to see a silent film? Tick it off your culture bucket list at the BFI Southbank and watch the silent cinema king, Charlie Chaplin, perform one of his iconic acts. With entry only £3 for students and under 25s, you can watch multiple films a week without breaking the bank. Afterwards, let your inner nerd run free at the national archive, where you can discover the best of British cinema. Beware though, keep your snacking to a minimum.

Address: Belvedere Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 8XT

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Located just a couple of minutes north of Oxford Circus, you’d struggle to find a more central cinema location for your viewing delights.

Opened in 1848, the cinema site was originally a theatre was built for the Royal Polytechnic Institution’s ‘optical exhibitions’. Fast forward more than 50 years and the spot was transformed into a screening venue for films and in 1951 aired La Vie Commence Demain which was the first film to be given an X certificate in the UK.

Closed from 1980 – 2015, the cinema re-opened following a three-year fundraising campaign and has become a cultural hub for cinematography once again.

Address: 307 Regent St, London W1B 2HW

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