Birmingham’s cinema scene is booming! Not only are there plenty of places to go, but each outlet also brings something unique. You’ll find somewhere to suit all tastes in Birmingham, plus plenty of special events and a yearly festival of film.
Birmingham's cinema culture
Birmingham is a film-lovers paradise with the UK's oldest working cinema and multiple big-screen cinema chains. We're also lucky to be home to Flatpack Festival, which pops up all over the city in May and hosts events throughout the year. They're part of Film Hub Midlands which is working to create a thriving film scene.
For a big-screen cinema experience
Cineworld
181 Broad St, Birmingham B15 1DA
If you want the best of the best, you can’t do much better than Cineworld at Fiveways for the ultimate cinema experience. This cinema boasts not only an IMAX screen, but also a 4DX screen. If you want a truly immersive experience, 4DX screenings involve a moving chair, environmental effects like smoke, wind water, and even smells!
Plus you can always cap off your evening with a night out on Broad Street, which is packed with bars and restaurants.
ODEON Luxe Broadway Plaza
220 Ladywood Middleway, Birmingham B16 8LP
Another option for a deluxe cinema experience is the ODEON Luxe, this cinema offers 3D screens, iSense and cushy reclinable seats on every screen. If you want to make a full day out Broadway Plaza also has a Hollywood Bowl and Mr Mulligan's Adventure Golf, plus they offer deals for students.
For a vintage cinema experience
The Electric Cinema
47-49 Station St, Birmingham B5 4DY
Perhaps the most unique cinema in Birmingham, the Electric Cinema is something of a local hero. The oldest working cinema in the country, it first opened in 1909 as a silent movie theatre. It's been renovated and rescued a few times since then and is a real Brummie survivor.
Thankfully, it's retained a lot of its 1900s charm, but with a few added modern comforts. There are comfy armchairs, a licensed bar and a great cocktail menu. They offer lots of special events and it's one of the only cinemas in Brum to show films in 35mm. Definitely one for the cinema buffs but also perfect for a cosy date night. You can get student discount every day of the week, plus 2 for 1 cocktails on Wednesdays.
A cinema to impress your date
The Everyman Cinema
116 The Mailbox, Birmingham B1 1RF
Looking to impress? The Everyman Cinema is the place to go. A relative newcomer to Birmingham’s vibrant cinema scene, the Everyman aims to be as upmarket as cinema chains go. Essentially a restaurant and a cinema rolled into one, you can enjoy proper meals inside the screen, whilst you relax in one of their comfy seats.
The cinema is also located right in the middle of the Mailbox, a hub for restaurants, bars and shopping just down the road from New Street Station. Featuring Miller and Carter, Rodizio Rico, Gas Street Social, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Zizzi and Nandos, you are spoilt for choice for your special night.
For your break from shopping
ODEON, New Street
139 New St, Birmingham B2 4NU
ODEON's second cinema in the city is right in the middle of New Street at the heart of Birmingham's shopping district. It's super close to the Bullring, Selfridges and Grand Central. So if you fancy a change of pace after a full day of shopping, you can nestle in their onsite Costa before catching a film.
For event cinema
The Mockingbird Cinema
Gibb St, Birmingham B9 4AA
This doesn’t all mean that the only good cinemas in Birmingham can be found in the city centre. Digbeth also has its signature Mockingbird Cinema to shout about. Like the Everyman, there's just as much emphasis on the food as there is the films.
But what really marks the Mockingbird out is its event cinema, with special Q&A screenings, singalongs and fancy dress extravaganzas like Rocky Horror Picture Show and Barbie.
Millennium Point
B5 5JU
Right in the middle of BCU's City Centre Campus you can find Millennium Point. You might not know that, as well as housing our Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, it's also home to a giant screen and auditorium. Millennium Point host a variety of special event cinema like cinema classics accompanied by your favourite tipple.
World cinema and art house
MAC Birmingham
Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH
Do you prefer a more niche selection of films? A 15-minute bus ride out of the city centre is the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), which is, unsurprisingly, where you'll find an artier selection of films. Their cinema hosts a wide range of screenings, plus you can check out the latest free exhibition and get a drink or food from their café.
With such a wide variety of cinemas in Birmingham, there's something for everyone. From independents to big-screen chains, you can find the perfect cinema experience for you.