Manchester

Cinemas in Manchester

Polly Checkland Harding

Like cinema? How about independent cinema, arthouse flicks and film classics? Throughout the year, cinemas in Manchester play host to a range of festivals and events, including Grimmfest horror movie season, Manchester Film Festival, ¡Viva! Festival of Spanish and Latin American cinema and the new Pilot Light TV Festival. The collection of independent cinemas here may be small, but the venues are special enough to make you forget that – and who doesn’t enjoy a blockbuster in a multiplex setting every once in a while?

Here are our picks

  • 1. HOME Manchester

    Picture of HOME in Manchester
    HOME - Image courtesy of Machteld Schoep.

    HOME Manchester, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M15 4FN - Visit now

    HOME’s showcases the best in contemporary and classic cinema across its five purpose-built screens – it’s rare you’ll see something sub-par here. The accompanying programme of talks, Q&As and live film scores is also excellent.

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  • 2. Cineworld Didsbury

    Cineworld ententertainment center Parrs Wood Didsbury
    Mikey via Flickr

    Cineworld Didsbury, Parrs Wood Entertainment Centre, Wilmslow Rd, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M20 5PG - Visit now

    With only 11 screens (only!), this is one of the smaller multiplexes in Greater Manchester – but its advantage is its location in the lush surrounds of Didsbury, not far from a roster of good bars, cafés and restaurants.

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  • 3. Stockport Plaza Cinema

    Stockport Plaza interior

    Stockport Plaza Cinema, Mersey Square, Stockport, Greater Manchester, SK1 1SP - Visit now

    Stockport Plaza is an Art Deco gem dating back to 1932 and painstakingly restored to the condition it was in on opening day. It now hosts films, theatre, comedy and more in stunning surrounds, as well as having a highly-rated café.

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  • 4. ODEON Manchester Printworks

    Odeon Printworks cinema in Manchester
    iknow-uk via Flickr

    ODEON Manchester Printworks, The Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 2BS - Visit now

    A straight-up multiplex here – 23 three screens with 3D capability (and including an IMAX) make up the reassuringly familiar ODEON complex in The Printworks, complete with Pick ‘n’ Mix stand, Ben & Jerry’s bar and Costa Coffee.

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  • 5. AMC Cinema Manchester

    AMC Cinema in Manchester
    Bill Boaden

    AMC Cinema Manchester, The Great Northern, 235 Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4EN - Visit now

    Opened in 2001, this huge American-style multiplex cinema in Manchester’s Great Northern Warehouse boasts 16 screens and over 3,000 seats. The advantage of this cinema is that there are some genuinely appealing things to do nearby – including champagne bar Épernay, coffee spot Grindsmith and new street food complex B.EAT Street.

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