10 Best Independent Local Cinemas in London
We’ve been on the hunt for the best family friendly local cinemas in and around the capital – many of which offer Weekend Film Clubs, Parent & Baby discounts plus Q & As and exclusive events with cinema memberships.
So whether it’s a teen birthday party, a Saturday excursion or a regular weekday, there should be somewhere on the list below you’ll want to visit. Enjoy!
Psssst… feel free to tell us of any other venues we’ve missed in the comments below!
The Garden Cinema, Holborn
The Garden Cinema is a hidden gem in the heart of London – combining retro charm, comfy vibes, and a lovingly curated programme for family film screenings every Saturday & Sunday morning and on weekdays during the school holidays.
Why we love it
All these screenings are Pay What You Can, which means you’re free to pay as much or as little as you can afford. Plus, The Garden Cinema is a real underrated gem. Stylish without being stuffy, and with moody lighting, polite audiences, and staff who introduce the films, it’s a perfect antidote to the multiplex experience.
Why your kids will love it
If your kids are into classic animation, vintage films, or just fancy something a bit quirky and cool, this is the spot. The cosy screening rooms make it easy to stay engaged (ideal for little ones with shorter attention spans), and they sometimes feature special events like tea tastings or old-school cartoon screenings. In a world of streaming this is a real day out and a proper retro experience for kids and teens. Plus On Sundays the films are followed by free, fun and creative activities for children.
Essential info
Check the website before booking to avoid disappointment. The full programme can be found here: https://www.thegardencinema.co.uk/strand/films-for-the-family/
The Electric Cinema, Portobello
In the heart of Portobello, the beaming ‘Electric‘ sign outside this cinema venue is enough to draw you in. Watch in style and comfort in velvet armchairs (from £18.50) or even a cosy front sofa bed if you manage to grab one before they sell out.
Why we love it
Kids Club screenings are available on the last Saturday of the month at The Electric meaning cheaper tickets (£8 per armchair, £16 front row bed). You’ll feel less embarrassed of your kids going berserk with an audience of their own kind. Plus every Monday at 12.30 there’s an Electric Scream screening where you can take under 2s.
Why your kids will love it
You can order from the Electric cinema menu which includes burgers and chips – happy kids, happy parents.
Essential info
The Box Office is open from 9am daily (10am on Sundays) until 8.30pm. The hour before a performance starts online bookings cannot be made.
The auditorium and bar open 15 minutes before the advertised programme time. The fully-licensed bar serves a selection of cocktails, wine, beer and champagne for mum and dad, and plenty of treats for the kids.
Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square
The Prince Charles Cinema is the last of the independents still operating in London’s ‘West End’. The venue is famous for their weekly Repertory film screening (Monday to Thursday), linking themes such as Director, Actor, Genre, Year etc, and where possible from 35mm too!
Why we love it
The cinema offers INCREDIBLE and cheap memberships meaning discounted tickets, £7.50 weekday matinees, 15% off drinks and snacks and local business discounts. You feel like a film star walking around this cine-famous district and rolling into the big screen.
Why your kids will love it
If your kids or teens love theatrics, they will love the Sing-A-Long-A-shows at The Prince Charles Cinema. Sing-a-long to The Greatest Showman (2017), Grease (1978) or Dirty Dancing (1987). Your pre-teens will also love the range of 90s throwback screenings.
Essential info
If you’re a member it’s worth checking their £1 screenings. Last time we looked there was a Wallace & Gromit movie, plus retro favourite Pretty Woman.
The Lexi Cinema, Kensal Rise
The Lexi is London’s only social enterprise cinema, a volunteer-run picture palace with strong links not just to their local community, but to a unique charity project thousands of miles away in South Africa, The Sustainability Institute. All staff are volunteers and 100% of the profits go to supporting this charity, who provide education, food programmes and ecological research initiatives to the families of Lynedoch Village.
Why we love it
Not only is the heart of The Lexi in the right place, the small cinema room has a homely feel and the staff at the mini bar are super friendly.
Why your kids will love it
Every school holiday, The Lexi run a series of hugely popular matinee screenings, from the latest cartoons and kid-friendly blockbusters to familiar family films. Booking is highly recommended as these shows often sell out.
Essential info
Please call the office to book wheelchair seats. The duty manager on the night of your screening will be there to help, so feel free to make them aware of any other access needs you may have.
Crouch End Picturehouse
This trendy spot was once badly damaged due an air raid in the outbreak of the war, demolished and rebuilt as ‘Crouch End Picturehouse‘. The venue stands out from other Picturehouses due to its modernist architecture, so you can watch in style.
Why we love it
This five screen cinema also has Jimmy’s Burgers, making it a great spot to eat or have a drink before or after watching a movie. The menu includes delicious street-style burgers, loaded fries and wings.
Why your kids will love it
The Kids Club at Crouch End Picturehouse is exclusively for children and their parents or carers, where tickets to each screening cost around £5.
Essential info
Guide dogs are welcome. If you wish to take a dog into a performance, please let the staff know when booking so they can make appropriate arrangements. Alternatively, your dog can be cared for by a member of staff for the duration of the performance.
There are plenty of Picturehouse cinemas around London – often in beautiful surroundings. Try The Gate Picturehouse Notting Hill, The Ritzy Brixton, Hackney Picturehouse, Clapham, Greenwich, Ealing, East Dulwich or Finsbury Park.
Rio Cinema, Dalston
The Rio Cinema has a rich history stretching back over 112 years. The original building was owned by a pioneering business woman called Clara Ludski who converted it into one of London’s very first cinemas in 1909 showing early silent cinema pictures.
Why we love it
The art deco interiors of this landmark are worth a visit in itself. It’s a community cinema and a charity.
Why your kids will love it
Carers and Baby Club is the chance for new parents to view the latest cinema releases in a relaxed environment. This club is for all parents whose babies are under 12 months of age. The Saturday Morning Picture Club is a regular family screening session with craft activities available before the film. Most suitable for 4-10 year olds.
Essential info
Although The Rio is an old building, which presents access challenges, it is fully accessible to disabled patrons, as well as wheelchair users.
The Castle Cinema, Hackney
The Castle Cinema has been a theatre, bingo hall, warehouse and snooker hall. In March 2016, a crowdfunding campaign led to over 650 people donating to save the space, giving us the popular cinema that we love today.
Why we love it
As a crowdfunded cinema, community is at the very core of The Castle Cinema. Parent & Baby screenings are available every Tuesday and Thursday giving parents of under 1 year olds a chance to go to the cinema. Shows start at 11am, the sound is turned down a little and the lights stay up a little.
Why your kids will love it
Memberships are perfect for cheaper tickets – could be good for older kids.
Essential info
Book tickets either online or at the box office.
Seating is unallocated so make sure you arrive with enough time to find seats and grab a drink!
Backyard Cinema
If you haven’t heard of Backyard Cinema, get to know. This independant company have transformed some of London’s most incredible venues into extravagant immersive cinemas. “From candlelit churches to cobbled Camden courtyards, we’ve turned corners of the city into cinema seventh heaven.”
Why we love it
This is such a fabulous family treat or teen birthday party idea. Check out these amazing past events including Romeo+Juliet and Christmas events.
Why your kids will love it
Dressing up as a character from the film is welcome and encouraged! Although there is no enforced dress code.
Essential info
Check the website for events, especially for Christmas.
Regents Street Cinema
Welcome to London’s biggest independent cinema screen – Regent Street Cinema.This collective dedicate themselves to show the very best independent films to support contemporary film makers.
Why we love it
After the screening of La Vie Commence Demain in January 1951–the first film to be awarded an X certificate in the UK– the cinema became a British history landmark. The Regent Street Cinema “set a precedent for permanent cinema in the 1920s.” After a three year fundraising campaign in May 2015, the cinema was restored and reopened thanks to the University of Westminster.
Why your kids will love it
This cinema should be an essential visit for teens who love film. The 16-25 Membership is free and provides 25% off film tickets plus discounts off bar and concession items.
Essential info
The Cinema at Selfridges
After a shop-till-you-drop excursion to Selfridges, why not take a peek at their cinema experience?
Why we love it
The bar at the cinema is super decadent. It is an essential order that parents treat themselves to glass of champagne, prosecco or a cocktail.
Why your kids will love it
The posh ‘Grab & Go’ by the cinema bar offers a delicious variety of snacks to get your kids pumped, from Selfridges’ own ‘air popped’ popcorn, sweets, chocolate and homemade ice cream.
Essential info
Of course, at Selfridges, you travel in style. Disabled persons have a lift from street level (40, Duke Street) to the lower ground floor and all screens here are wheelchair-accessible.
