Five Great Cinemas in Edinburgh

Main Screen at the Cameo

As the culture capital of Scotland, Edinburgh offers a huge variety of options for the avid cinephile whether it be cheap action films or classic art house flicks. Catering for all manner of tastes and preferences, it has enough diversity to appeal to anyone’s needs. But which venues are actually worth visiting?

Edinburgh University Film Society

Playing three films a week ranging from new releases to classics and art house flicks, Edinburgh University Film Society offers a wide spectrum of movies best seen on the big screen. Including a large outdoor screen for summer events and a year long membership at only £15 for students and £30 for non-students, the Film Society is a great place to watch quality films with the added benefit of a friendly atmosphere which promotes discussions post-screenings.

Brass Monkey
Potentially the single greatest idea ever conceived; a bar that also serves as a cinema, Brass Monkey offers free screenings every day of various cult films and classics at 3pm. Retaining a relaxed atmosphere perfect for nursing a hangover or simply bunking off work, it remains one of the best kept secrets of Edinburgh.

Dominion
Initially opening as a single screen cinema in 1938 but now containing four screens, the Dominion offers the most comfortable viewing for the Edinburgh cinema goer. A family owned and run independent cinema, it aims to provide luxurious entertainment through its use of leather recliners and sofas making it more akin to one’s living room than a cinema – even serving complimentary Pringles. It’s only drawback – it’s situated on the south side of Edinburgh so somewhat out of the way for some.

Cameo
A quintessential feature of Edinburgh, the Cameo has been around since 1914 when it was then called the King’s cinema. An independent arts cinema that showcases a variety of films from Hollywood classics to foreign films and ground breaking documentaries, it also plays host to E4’s Slackers Club where students get to see previews of upcoming films absolutely free a couple of days before they are released. Appearing briefly in Sylvain Chomet’s The Illusionist and attended religiously by its dedicated regulars, it is somewhat of an icon for Edinburgh’s cinematic history.

Filmhouse
With a more varied programme than any of the other Edinburgh cinemas, the Filmhouse offers the most diverse option for watching films. The home of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, it serves as one of the leading cultural entertainment venues the capital has to offer. An old listed church, it features three screens that play everything from the latest international releases to local and older films stretching to 16mm and video and digital work. This combined with a huge scope of guests giving talks to supplement screenings and boasting a terrific café/bar, this cinema is truly unmissable.

Taken from Itchy, published online.