You might have an 80-inch TV at home, but these stunning cinemas take movie viewing to a whole new level. If you’ve got time to catch a flick on your travels, we highly recommend relaxing back in one of these gorgeous cinemas.
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater – Disney Hollywood Studios, US
Sit down. Buckle up. And get ready for the coolest cinematic experience of a lifetime! This Disney theatre includes full course meals, glow-in-the-dark cocktails, a ceiling that looks like a starry sky and awesome car-themed booths and tables. Bookings are recommended!
Sotto Le Stelle Del Cinema – Bologna, Italy
If watching a movie in the middle of a glorious 15th century Italian piazza takes your fancy, make sure you’re around for the Cinema Ritrovato Festival in Bologna late 06/to early 07/every year. The Piazza Maggiore is home to this retro Italian film fest, which usually plays old restored films and films from the silent era.
Uránia National Film Theatre – Budapest, Hungary
Winding hallways, beautiful golden arches and a mix of Venetian Gothic and Eastern Moorish design influences make this film theatre a one-of-a-kind. Constructed in the 1890s, it has become a historical film icon in Budapest and the first film screening in the country after WWII was held here.
Raj Mandir Cinema – Jaipur, India
One of the most famed cinemas in India and a popular tourist attraction in Jaipur, the Raj Mandir is located along Bhagwan Das Road. It is known for its gorgeous glowing interiors and its screening of classic Hindi movies.
TCL Chinese Theatre – Los Angeles, US
It’s the place where famous movie stars cast their hands in stone and it’s more commonly known as Mann’s (or Grauman’s) Chinese Theatre. Open since 1927, this palatial theatre features many Chinese designs, including lotus fountains, dragon statues and coral red columns. As you can imagine, many famous movie premieres have been held here, including Star Wars in 1977.
The Winter Garden Theatre – Toronto
It’s time to bring the outdoors inside with this amazing theatre, which is situated on Yonge Street in Toronto. Along with the Elgin, is the oldest stacked Edwardian theatre in the world. Inside, the Winter Garden is a garden wonderland, with hand-painted walls, hanging lanterns and leaves lining the ceiling.
Pula Arena – Pula, Croatia
If you had the chance to watch a movie in an ancient Roman amphitheatre, would you do it? We hope so! Held in July/08/each year, the Pula Film Festival is held in the Pula Arena, a Roman construction that was completed in the 1st century AD and that was once home to gladiator fights.
Cineteca del Matadero – Madrid, Spain
It 05/look like something from an old sci-fi movie, but that’s what makes it special. The Matadero in Madrid’s Arganzuela district was once a slaughterhouse, but was converted into an arts centre. The Cineteca here is dedicated to screening documentaries and other forms of non-fiction indie cinema.
Orinda Theatre – Orinda, US
This stunning theatre, which sits just outside of San Francisco, opened in 1941. It was once scheduled for demolition in the mid-80s, but thankfully it was saved and preserved and still operates as a theatre today.
The elaborately designed lobby carpet and the mythical, hand-painted wall murals of the Orinda, designed by Anthony B. Heinsbergen, make it a dazzling place to be. And if you’re there on the second Thursday of the month, you can benefit from the free movie screening!