The 25 best cinemas in London

One of London’s oldest purpose-built cinemas, the Ritzy has been an iconic Brixton institution since it opened in 1911. It even survived the Blitz. The Ritzy’s film offering ranges from big blockbusters to specialist fare (Icelandic folk-horror, anyone?), and Upstairs at the Ritzy hosts events like Reggaeoke, rare-soul nights and the regular Tuesday evening Queenstown Sessions. The Ritzy is way more than just a cinema, it’s a cultural hub – a worthy pick as Londoners’ favourite cinema.

Lucky old Whitechapel, having the Genesis as its local. This gorgeous cinema – one of the world’s 50 most beautiful – offers an unbeatable combo of cheap tickets (£6.75, Monday-Thursday), moreish snacks, comfy seats and a deep love of movies. The establishment has proper East End entertainment heritage: it sits on the site of the 19th century Eagle Public House Music Hall, but its state-of-the-art sound and screens are anything but vintage. A genuine community hub, Genesis’s gallery showcases work by emerging artists too. And the name? Inspired by ‘Star Trek’. Beam yourself up, sharpish.

It ain’t fancy, and yes, the carpet has been known to get a little sticky, but you’ll forgive almost anything for tickets costing an inflation-busting £5.99 all day, any day. Established in 1994, it’s a South London institution that local celebs – Olivia Colman, John Boyega – swear by, with six screens showing the latest blockbusters, as well as foreign language and indie films. It’s the perfect cinema for the cost of living era and a local institution (it even cameoed in ‘Rye Lane’).

Since it opened in 1913, The Castle in Clapton has been a cinema, a bingo hall, a shoe factory and a snooker club. Now, after raising £57,000 on Kickstarter, a local couple has restored it back to its former filmic glory. There’s an art deco bar and two screens, as well as comfy armchair style seats. It's an exquisite cinema experience. 

The cinema Quentin Tarantino goes to and Edgar Wright raves about, the PCC just goes from strength to strength. The passion for everything from silver screen classics to cult curios draws in film lovers from far and wide. Its screens positively burst with London cine-lore.

This two-screen Dalston treasure is all about serving its local community with smart programming, mini festivals, Q&As and LGBTQ+ screenings. And the local community loves it right back: a rumoured threat to sell it during the pandemic was met with a vociferous Save the Rio campaign by its passionate membership. Happily, the 1930's art deco picture palace survives and thrives, with plans for refurbishment and the possibility of a third screen ahead.

Regulars at Crouch End’s ArtHouse are so devoted they voted for it droves. You say: ‘Friendly atmosphere’, ‘interesting Q&As with actors and directors’, and ‘cheap popcorn’. We say: ‘Sold’.

An all-in-one cinema, library and café/bar that also makes film history and culture accessible through its library and online archive. 

It’s still less than a decade old but Picturehouse Central already feels like part of the central London furniture. With an indie-meets-mainstream philosophy, the programming has an inclusive feel to it – as does the whole stylish edifice, which occupies a corner of Piccadilly’s old Trocadero centre. The main staircase, complete with a film-themed mural, is a fitting gateway to the movie nirvana within. There are seven screens, a comfy bar-restaurant and an upstairs members’ bar with glorious West End views straight from a Roger Deakins viewfinder. On the downside, the pandemic does seem to have done away with that formidable pick ‘n’ mix counter for good.

Everything you’d expect from the brilliant Picturehouse chain – plump seats, excellent snacks and a programme mixing blockbusters and arthouse releases.

A brilliant neighbourhood cinema, this four-screen Picturehouse also has a buzzing bar and café.

As regulars will tell you, watching a movie at the Soho Curzon feels special – surrounded by film lovers without it feeling pretentious.

Part of the luxury Everyman chain, this classy little gem of a cinema has some of the fanciest seats in London, with footstools, cushions and drinks to service your needs.

The Electric is one of London’s oldest and loveliest cinemas. And with six luxurious, velvet-lined double beds on the front row, it’s perfect for special dates.

Shoreditch’s independent cultural centre houses three cinema screens alongside exhibition and performance spaces and a café/bar. Run as a charity, it’s a vibrant arts hub too. Any given week could see it hosting an assortment of gigs, theatre shows, art exhibitions, themed festivals and all manner of workshops. 

Located in an attractive grade II listed clock tower in Croydon, this community-run cinema screens arthouse films, classic re-releases and new blockbusters in intimate surroundings. The staff (mostly volunteers) are super friendly and the prices affordable – not your standard multiplex offering, then.

Like all Picturehouses, this is a super-popular local with a devoted following who come for the anti-multiplex atmosphere and comfy reclining seats.

Housed in what used to be an Odeon, this grade II-listed building boasts three screens and is another jewel in Everyman’s crown of luxury cinemas. 

Locals love the Lexi, a friendly little gem of a community cinema run mostly by volunteers where all profits go to charity. With help from that community, it shrugged off a fire in 2020 to expand with a new, crowdfunded second screen and a ‘Lexi Hub’ space. Expect all the same film and arts goodness, only even more of it.

With nine screens in its arsenal and ticket prices set at cost-of-living friendly levels, this 1,200 seater cinema is not one to be sniffed at. Think of it as the Peckhamplex of the north-east.

With four screens and a restaurant, this Crouch End outpost of the Picturehouse’s winning cinema chain is a firm favourite with Londoners. 

The Phoenix in East Finchley lays claim to being one of London’s oldest cinemas. And with its art deco interiors, it’s definitely one of the prettiest.

This east London branch (further east than the Hackney Picturehouse) offers a nice, quieter alternative to the ginormous multiplex in Westfield. Perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon at the pictures. 

The BFI Southbank, nestling under Waterloo Bridge, is movie heaven for film lovers (the kind who know their Kurosawa from their Kubrick).

Fans come for the cosy atmosphere and full-on luxury experience, with leather sofas, armchairs and waiter service.