Cinema in the North

Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor

The headline event this summer has got to be Manchester’s SCENE Festival. This city-wide celebration of LGBTQ+ screen culture brings together big names visitors, brand new work and big screen favourites at some of the city’s best venues, big and small. Also in Manchester, HOME have a season dedicated to one of Japan’s top animation directors, plus Cultplex continue their curated selection of Vietnamese cinema.

In Leeds, there’s a huge commemoration of legendary cult film director David Lynch at Hyde Park Picture House. You can expect screenings of his biggest movies of course, but there are also rarities, podcast recordings and a David Lynch 101… In a Day film class for those who’d like to learn more about one of the most beloved figures in cinema. While Liverpool’s FACT present a 35mm screening of Akira Kurosawa’s epic samurai-Shakespeare adaptation Ran.

Our top picks

The Worlds of Mamoru Hosoda at HOME

The Worlds of Mamoru Hosoda at HOME Manchester, Manchester, Until 6 September 2025, From £4.70 - Book now

HOME showcase the films of Mamoru Hosoda with beloved early films accompanied by a celebrated 2018 masterpiece.

A girl lies down in a field of daisies.
HOME

The Summer of Skin at P3 Annihilation Eve

THE SUMMER OF SKIN: A Seasonal Programme of Hardcore Cinema at P3 Annihilation Eve (O! Peste Destroyed), Manchester, Until 17 September 2025, From £3.25 - Book now

Paraphysis Cinema present a season of landmark queer underground, erotic cinema at P3 Annihilation Eve.

STILL
n/a

Star Nhà Ease at Cultplex

Star Nhà Ease at Cultplex at Cultplex, Manchester, Until 23 August 2025, From £7.50 - Book now

The UK’s only curated season celebrating Vietnamese cinema, arrives at Manchester’s Cultplex.

Star Nhà Ease
Star Nhà Ease

SCENE: Manchester LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival

SCENE: Manchester LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival, Until 21 August 2025, From £0.00 - Book now

After a dazzling debut in 2024, SCENE: Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival is back and gearing up for an even bigger celebration of queer screen culture this summer.

Pictures taken on Canal Street to promote Year 2 of SCENE: Manchester LGBQT+ Film & TV Festival with drag artists Anna Phylactic in Pink and Liquorice Black. Photo by Fabio De Paola

Scalarama Leeds

Scalarama Leeds at The Attic, Leeds (and other venues), 1–30 September 2025, From £0.00 - Book now

Cinemas, films clubs and DIY movie exhibitors combine for a huge, month-long celebration of cinema across Leeds.

a group of popcorn tubs that are branded yellow saying scalarama leeds 2025
Visit Leeds

Midnight Marauders at Showroom Cinema

Midnight Marauders at Showroom Workstation, Sheffield, Until 26 September 2025, From £5.00 - Book now

Showroom Cinema channel the spirit of the midnight movie with a series of late Friday night screenings of films meant to be seen after the sun goes down.

Ran 40th Anniversary at FACT

Ran at FACT, Liverpool and online, 31 August–1 September 2025, From £9.35 - Book now

Akira Kurosawa reimagines Shakespeare’s King Lear in this glorious samurai epic, screening from 35mm for its 40th anniversary.

Ran Chapeltown Picture House
Ran - Chapeltown Picture House

Outdoor Cinema at Tatton Park

Outdoor Cinema at Tatton Park, 23 August 2025, From £14.99 - Book now

A full-on crowd-pleasing line-up of cult classics and sing-alongs at Tatton Park as the Outdoor Cinema returns for the August Bank Holiday.

Grease outdoor cinema
Outdoor Cinema

CULTPLEX presents: The Australian Cult Weekender

CULTPLEX presents: The Australian Cult Weekender at Cultplex, Manchester, 6–7 September 2025, From £6.50 - Book now

A weekend of outback horror, petro-fueled wastelands, and Australian icons at Cultplex this September.

The Apartment at Stockport Plaza

The Apartment at Stockport Plaza Cinema, Stockport, 12 September 2025, From £10.45 - Book now

Billy Wilder’s fabulous comedy brings out the best in stars Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine.

The Apartment

UrbanArtistry Presents… The Art Of Disobedience at Cultplex

UrbanArtistry Presents... The Art Of Disobedience at Cultplex, Manchester, 19 September 2025, From £7.50 - Book now

UrbanArtistry is back for a second season starting with a behind the scenes account of Rome’s most wanted street artist.

Graffiti artist GECO stood Infront of a city Scape at night
The Art Of Disobedience - GECO

Under the Mink: Film Noir at Columbia Pictures at HOME

Under the Mink: Film Noir at Columbia Pictures at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 19–29 September 2025 - Book now

From the heyday of Columbia Pictures, HOME presents a season of classic noir featuring top stars from Humphrey Bogart to Gloria Grahame.

Image supplied by Home MCR

Hundreds of Beavers – Revenge of the Beavers Tour at HOME

Hundreds of Beavers - Revenge of the Beavers Tour (12A) + Q&A at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 6 October 2025 - Book now

There will be… beavers! The cult movie phenomenon returns to Manchester with a special Q&A screening.

Image supplied by Home MCR

More Cinema

Star Nhà Ease
Until
CinemaManchester
Star Nhà Ease at Cultplex

Following its acclaimed debut in 2024, Star Nhà Ease, the UK’s only curated season celebrating Vietnamese cinema, arrives at Manchester’s Cultplex.

From £7.50
Grease outdoor cinema
Cinema
Outdoor Cinema at Tatton Park

There’s movies under the stars again at Tatton Park this summer as the open air cinema returns for the August Bank Holiday Weekend.

From £14.99
A girl lies down in a field of daisies.
Until
CinemaManchester
The Worlds of Mamoru Hosoda at HOME

This summer, HOME presents a short season of films from celebrated Japanese animator Mamoru Hosoda, screening on the big screen in stunning 4K for the first time.

From £4.70

Experiences

View all
Salford Lads Club Exterior
TourManchester
Salford Lads Club Tour

Salford Lads Club shot to global fame as the iconic backdrop on...

Tickets from £20.00
St Ann's Church
TourManchester
Halloween: The Ghosts of Manchester

Explore Manchester’s creepiest corners this Halloween, when Jonathan Schofield Tours will reveal...

Tickets from £25.00
Photo of the John Rylands Library from outside
TourCity Centre
Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx in Manchester

Explore the ways in which Manchester helped shape and reinforce the ideas...

Tickets from £20.00
Derbyshire & The Peak District
Until
Walking TourPeak District
Idyllic England: Derbyshire & the Peak District

A tour through idyllic Derbyshire and the Peak District, where rolling hills,...

Tickets from £55.00
Cutting Room Square
TourManchester
Secrets of Ancoats and New Islington

From years spent languishing in post-industrial decline to being crowned one of...

Tickets from £20.00

Explore Cinema by city

  • Photo of the Stockport Plaza auditorium - One of our Top 5 Cinemas in Manchester
    Cinemas in Manchester

    Independent gems, DIY mini-cinemas, Art Deco wonders and massive multiplexes -- Manchester film fans are spoiled for choice.

  • Cinemas in Leeds Everyman Leeds
    Cinemas in Leeds

    From the latest art-house gems to the biggest blockbuster on the biggest screens, there’s a cinema to suit all needs in Leeds.

  • Cinemas in Liverpool

    Whether you want a multiplex or something a little extra, the cinemas in Liverpool have it all.

  • Cinemas in Sheffield Photographer: Scott Hukins ©
    Cinemas in Sheffield

    Cinemas in Sheffield cater for all tastes, with arthouse venues sitting happily alongside big multiplex screens – including one of only two IMAX with laser projection screens in the country.

Hotel guides

  • Photo of the exterior of the Palace Hotel
    Hotels in Manchester

    To make life easy when it comes to booking your stay, here’s our guide to Manchester's best hotels.

  • The Nadler Hotel exterior
    Hotels in Liverpool

    There’s no shortage of hotels in Liverpool, but you don’t have to go far to find something a bit more stylish than a Travelodge. Here’s our guide.

  • Hotels in Leeds.
    Hotels in Leeds

    Leeds has plenty of new types of accommodation, from sleek, modern luxury to affordable art hostels and grand accommodation in green space.

  • Great Victoria Hotel
    Hotels in Bradford

    For a weekend break in a private apartment or an overnight stay in high luxury, we've rounded up the best places to stay in Bradford, Ilkley and Saltaire.

Recently covered restaurants

Manchester
Restaurant
Sampa

Colourful Brazilian fine dining at Caroline Martin’s intimate restaurant, Sampa.

The Chevin is a great place for visitors to do lots of different activities and is open all year round with 5 free car parks. To help you find out whatís best for you we have divided this section up into some of these different activities.Please be aware that The Chevin is a working estate so you may see vehicles including timber-extraction lorries using some of the tracks.Self-guided WalksThe Chevin is a big place and there is a good network of paths to make your own circular walk, but if you want to follow a themed trail there is a Geology Trail, Heritage Time Trail and a route for Tree Spotters.Bikes & HorsesThere is an extensive bridleway network on the eastern parts of The Chevin that caters for a range of abilities.Orienteering and GeocachingTwo orienteering courses and a number of geocache sites are waiting to be discovered.Climbing & BoulderingThere are many fantastic crags for climbing and boulders for bouldering.Mobility Scooters & Wheelchairs
Leeds
Restaurant
Oporto

For many years, Oporto has been a beacon of alternative energy on Leeds’ Call Lane – serving up great food and drink alongside resident DJs and live music.

Ancoats
Restaurant
Ramona

If you haven’t heard of Ramona by now then where have you been? Taking Manchester by storm, Ramona is a Detroit Pizza restaurant, with a salty twist… Frozen margaritas!

GET BAKED Opening Day
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
GET BAKED

Newly opened cakery in Stevensons Square, Northern Quarter Manchester. Get Baked brings all the Yorkshire charm and sweetness one of the city’s most popular squares.

Kōdo Entrance
City Centre
Restaurant
Kōdo

Kōdo, a secret bar like no other. It is all about discovery. The only way to enter is with a special code, which changes weekly.

Spotlight on

Food and Drink in the North

Take some eating-out tips from our August guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Take me there