Going to the cinema in London
Nov 4, 2015, 8:09 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
Going to the cinema in London
Not something we would ordinarily do, but the husband is overseas for a month, so I'm flying over to spend a bit of time with him mid trip. He'd like to see the new Bond movie. Do we generally need to buy tickets in advance for a new movie or is it ok to just show up 20-30 minutes before the show? What's the best place to see it near Trafalgar Square where we are staying?
Nov 4, 2015, 9:20 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: BAEC Silver, SPG Gold
Posts: 465
Going to the cinema in London
You can buy in advance and note that you pick a seat similar to a theater show - this was hard for me to have an assigned seat as I like aisle away from crowds. Tickets are expensive IMO but is fun if at a historic theatre. In my experience the lines are long especially for popular films like a Bond film so go early to buy tickets
Nov 5, 2015, 2:06 am
#4
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
It depends on where you choose to go. There are the big city-centre ones - the Odeon Leicester Square being the most famous. Ticket prices are high, they fill up quickly for newish releases, and you get allocated seats.
Personally, I prefer going to smaller, local ones, particularly those in the Picturehouse chain (actually now owned by Cineworld). The Brixton Ritzy is a particular favourite - especially the upstairs (and rooftop!) bars. There's also very civilised places like the Screen on the Green in Islington.
Personally, I prefer going to smaller, local ones, particularly those in the Picturehouse chain (actually now owned by Cineworld). The Brixton Ritzy is a particular favourite - especially the upstairs (and rooftop!) bars. There's also very civilised places like the Screen on the Green in Islington.
Nov 5, 2015, 4:49 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
I like The Gate in Notting Hill. But for a blockbuster, you're better off going to a large cinema with a big screen and a big audience, rather than a more intimate place.
Nov 5, 2015, 4:58 am
#6
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
Nov 5, 2015, 5:25 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: OZ Diamond, BAEC Silver, Marriott Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 515
I usually divide my cinema visits between our local Vue cinema (which does have special prices on one given day per week) and a smaller (independent) cinema located near Bermondsey street (Shortwave cinema) which also offers on Monday tickets for jusst £6.
Nov 5, 2015, 11:35 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,815
Nov 5, 2015, 12:10 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
There's a VUE near Piccadilly Circus. Seems to be mostly empty on weekdays. £15.49 for SPECTRE on Saturday; I'm using my Club Lloyds vouchers so not paying a penny 
Nov 5, 2015, 12:27 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Platinum, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,019
http://genesiscinema.co.uk/GenesisCinema.dll/Home
Nov 5, 2015, 6:53 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
Nov 6, 2015, 2:01 am
#13
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
If it's playing at the O2 and you can get in to see it at the SuperScreen, maybe give that a go. It will be less touristy than the west end, and there are lots of dining options around there before/after the show.
Nov 11, 2015, 2:32 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: DL DM 2MM, BA Bronze, Various Hotels
Posts: 10,187
Nov 11, 2015, 4:24 am
#15
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
It's the second biggest cinema screen in London behind the BFI IMAX (which, in the interests of full disclosure, is almost 3 times bigger than the Superscreen), and the 3rd biggest non-IMAX screen in Britain. This is the best picture I could find to show the scale; this is of a hired event but you can get an idea of the size of the auditorium–there's also a large balcony which you can just see in the upper part of the picture. It's not aircraft carrier big, but as cinemas go it's definitely up there in size.