Watching a movie at home is always lovely, but sometimes, you have to go out to the cinemas for a truly incredible experience. There’s something so satisfying about the smell of freshly made popcorn, and the laughter or gasps of a live audience. If your set-up at home isn’t the best, then the massive screens and the booming sound system of a cinema is simply irreplaceable. And of course, it’s important to catch a film before you hear spoilers. Whatever it may be, there’s lots of lovely reasons to go out and see a film. And thankfully, there’s lots of incredible cinemas in Melbourne for you to check out. These venues are beloved city staples, host film festivals and special events, have rich histories or are simply cool places to hang out on a rainy day. Here are some of our favourite cinemas in Melbourne.
1. Cinema Nova
This iconic independent cinema in Carlton showcases the best in local and international films, with plenty of art-house cinema, independent flicks and more to keep you entertained. First established in 1992 as a twin theatre — a collaboration between the Longford Cinema (South Yarra) and the Valhalla Cinema (Richmond) — it’s the biggest independent cinema in the Southern Hemisphere.
Cinema Nova often takes part in key festivals during the year, like Melbourne Queer Film Festival and Melbourne Documentary Film Festival. They also run fun events, like Twilight marathons, screenings of The Room, cocktails on Mean Girls Day and more. Visit them on Mondays (excluding public holidays) for cheap movie tickets, with sessions for $7 before 4pm, and $10 after 4pm.
📍 380 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053
⏰ Screenings start from around 10am, with the last showings starting around 9:30pm
👉 More info here
2. ACMI Cinemas
ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) is all about celebrating film, TV, art, videogames and screen culture. So, it makes perfect sense that it would have its own cinema. Enjoy a rich selection of films to accompany current exhibitions, film festival events, screenings for various film clubs and more. If you can’t make it in person, you can also stay home and enjoy video on demand thanks to their platform, Cinema 3. ACMI Cinemas screens film in themed batches, which might include topics like the Best of 2024, Kids Flicks with Feelings, and Spotlight on Japanese Horror, to name three upcoming programs (at the time of writing).
📍 ACMI, Federation Square Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
⏰ Screenings start from around 11am, with the last screenings starting around 10pm
👉 More info here
3. The Astor Theatre
Feel transported back in time at The Astor Theatre. This grand venue opened in 1936, and is the last single screen cinema of its kind. The magnificent space features stalls, a dress circle and golden curtains over the screen. Enjoy a rich range of classic films, cult favourites and new releases. The Astor also projects a range of mediums, including 35mm prints, 70mm and 4K, and it’s available to hire for private events if you’d like a memorable, classy soiree.
📍 1 Chapel St, St Kilda VIC 3182
⏰ Screenings start from as early as 11:30am, and begin as late as 9:30pm
👉 More info here.
4. Lido Cinemas
In the heart of Hawthorn, you’ll find Lido Cinemas. It has a rich history, starting in 1912 as the Glenferrie Theatre, and acting as a dance hall, dinner theatre, mini golf venue, and more over the years. Now under the same ownership as Classic Cinemas and Cameo Cinemas, the venue retains many of the original fixtures with some modern comforts.
Visit today and you’ll find a vibrant space with eight indoor cinemas, a jazz room and a rooftop cinema during the summer months. Lido shows plenty of new releases, cult classics, retrospectives and more, and takes part in various film festivals throughout the year. In addition, you can see live comedy in the jazz room every Tuesday from 7:30pm.
📍 675 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122
⏰ Screenings start from as early as 10:30am, and begin as late as 9:30pm
👉 More info here
5. Classic Cinemas
Classic Cinemas has a long history in Melbourne, starting all the way back in 1888, when the building was purchased to create a skating rink. However, it instead became a community hall, and sometimes housed a makeshift cinema. Now, Classic Cinemas has ten big screens – four of them are new – as well as a refurbished bar and foyer area, and a rooftop cinema during the summer months. It also has an intimate space available for jazz, comedy, talks and more.
The venue plays a mix of mainstream and arthouse cinema, and is the home for film festivals like the Jewish International Film Festival and the Children’s International Film Festival. Film aficionados can join their club to get ticket discounts, access to exclusive screenings, and more, whilst their $8 tickets for students every Wednesday is a budget way to catch great cinema.
📍 9 Gordon St, Elsternwick VIC 3185
⏰ Screenings start from as early as 10:30am, and begin as late as 9:30pm
👉 More info here
6. Sun Theatre
This beloved theatre in Melbourne’s inner-west first opened in 1938 and had just one screen. Now, the Sun Theatre has eight cinemas inside the Art Deco building, which has been lovingly restored after a long period of vacancy from the mid-70s to the early 90s. Visit the historic venue for new films, classics, special events, retrospectives and more.
While you’re there, be sure to order a bottle of Victorian wine to enjoy during the movie. Memberships are available at the Sun Theatre, which nets you a range of benefits including discounted tickets, and reductions on food and drink at several neighbouring businesses around Yarraville.
📍 8 Ballarat St, Yarraville VIC 3013
⏰ Screenings start from around 10am, and the final showings begin around 9:30pm
👉 More info here
7. Cameo Cinemas
This independent cinema has eight screens, and plays a mixture of mainstream, blockbuster and arthouse cinema. Between December to March, Cameo Cinemas also have an outdoor cinema, allowing you to enjoy movies while surrounded by the picturesque scenery of the Dandenong Ranges.
The cinema’s history in the Dandenongs dates back to 1935, and has passed through the hands of several dedicated owners since then, all of whom have preserved the cinema whilst adding their own touch to it. The outdoor screen is a must-try, but do remember you’re at the mercy of Melbourne’s weather, after all.
📍 1628 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave VIC 3160
⏰ Screenings start from around 10:30am, with the last showings starting around 9pm
👉 More info here
8. Pentridge Cinema
Pentridge Cinema is one of Melbourne’s most unique cinemas, in that you’ll enjoy movies inside the transformed Pentridge Prison. Run by the Palace Cinemas group, there are 15 screens to choose from, featuring reclining chairs, Dolby Atmos surround sound and a fully licensed menu.
After watching a new release, explore the historic venue and relax at one of the nearby restaurants and bars, which includes the cosy wine bar Olivine, the well-regarded restaurant North&COMMON, and a huge taproom from BrewDog.
📍 1 Champ St, Coburg VIC 3058
⏰ Screenings start from around 10:30am, last showings begin around 9pm
👉 More info here
9. IMAX Melbourne
If you like to visit cinemas to feel immersed by the big screen, you can’t go wrong with IMAX Melbourne. Their cinema screen is one of the largest in the world, measuring 32 metres in width and 23 metres in height.
On top of that, this venue is the only theatre in Australia with an operational IMAX 1570 Film projector, allowing you to see resolution of up to 16K. It also has a powerful and custom 15,000 watt digital speaker system to truly immerse you in the story. Watch new releases, 3D documentaries, film festival screenings and more for a film experience like no other.
📍 Rathdowne St, Carlton VIC 3053
⏰ Screenings start from around 10:30am, and the final showings begin around 9:30pm
👉 More info here