Watching a movie is not complete without the right ambiance, comfort level and a bowl of fresh popcorn. Since the evolution of cinema, we have a come a long way from single screen cinema theaters to multi-screen multiplexes. The way to experience a cinema has upgraded and people tend to spend more time on the ambiance itself than mere watching the movie.
Yet, most of us are accustomed to watching movies in a typical, stock-standard movie theater, irrespective of the fact, whether it’s a single screen or multiplex. However, most of you will be surprised to know that there are a few exceptions when it comes to watching cinema. In addition to these typical, boring, stock-standard movie halls, we also have some of the coolest movie theaters across the globe, where you just don’t watch a movie but experience it.
These interesting movie halls are spread worldwide, and it would be quite a challenge to experience a movie at each of them. However, keeping this list stored on your bucket list, you can always make sure to watch a movie at one of these coolest cinema halls whenever you are near any of them.
In short, if you are a real Filmy Keeday, then you will definitely make it a habit to add these movie theaters on to your itinerary, the next time you’re traveling to any of the places listed below:
List of Amazing Movie Theaters In The World
Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco, California
Being the first multiplex in San Francisco, Sundance Kabuki has been the host for several film screenings for San Francisco International Film Festival and San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. The multi-screen theater is highly popular for its posh ambiance as well as its upscale bars and high-class restaurants for the pre- and post-cinema experience. The movie theater also hosts performances by the San Francisco Opera.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Austin, Texas
Alamo Drafthouse is an American cinema chain founded in 1997 in Austin, Texas that boasts about its strict policy of cinema going etiquette. Offering the great state-of-the-art surround sound system as well as cherished gourmet beer and Tex-Med food right at your seat, there’s no way this movie theater could have been left out of the list. Due to its great ambiance and cinema experience, the theater chain has expanded to a good number of locations all around Texas.
Cine Thisio, Athens, Greece
Cine Thisio was built in 1935 in Athens, Greece, replicating the ambiance of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. It is opened to the public from April to October. Although Athens is a hub for many different outdoor movie theaters, nothing is as magnificent as Cine Thisio. Offering the best view at night, the movie theater doesn’t just give an unforgettable experience but also the amazing view of the Acropolis, and the Parthenon at the top.
Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas, La Costa, California
If you are looking for luxury at a cinema apart from a brilliant movie screening experience, then try out the Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas in La Costa, California. Everything from reclining leather seats to waiter service for gourmet snacks like salads, flatbread, pizzas, cheesecakes, and, of course, the “zebra” popcorn covered in white and dark chocolate.
Nokia Ultra Screen, Bangkok, Thailand
If you need a foot massage while you watch a movie, try watching a movie at Nokia Ultra Screen in Bangkok, Thailand, whenever you get a chance. The theater offers a motorized reclining seat, free snacks in the VIP lounge, and a complimentary foot massage for a stress-free cinema experience.
Prasads IMAX, Hyderabad, India
There’s no way one can experience 3-D cinema better than at Prasads IMAX in Hyderabad, India, as it is the largest 3-D IMAX in the world. The screen at the cinema theater is 72 feet in height and 92 feet in width. In addition, it has a 6-channel sound system that offers an output of 12,000 watts of uncompressed digital surround sound. The popularity of Prasads IMAX can be anticipated by the fact that it receives more than 1,500 calls a day just for telephone booking.
Electric Cinema, London, England
Did you ever desire to watch a movie on a double bed in the front row of a movie theater? Then, you must visit Electric Cinema located in the Notting Hill district. The theater features three 2-seater sofas at the rear of the theater while it also offers six double beds in the front row that give you an experience of watching the film right from your bedroom. Adding to your comfort, they also provide individual cashmere blankets as well.
Sun Pictures Cinema, Australia
Developed in 1916, Sun Pictures Cinema in Australia holds the credit for being the world’s oldest operating “outdoor picture garden”. Though set at the outdoors, the seating is set with a line of deck chairs along with lavatories marked “Humphrey’s” and “Vivien’s”. In spite of being the oldest, Sun Pictures Cinema shines through the ages offering one of the best and vibrant cinematic experience.
Cine de Chef, Seoul, Korea
Munching on popcorn or other snacks while watching a movie is regular. But, how about enjoying a cinema while feasting on an upscale French-Italian cuisine, courtesy of a former Park Hyatt chef. Although, such a hospitality may cost you more, Cine de Chef in Seoul, Korea offers such kind of royal movie experience. Also, all the 30 beautifully crafted seats in the movie theater are developed by the same designers who make private movie theater seats for Saudi royalty.
Rooftop Cinema, Melbourne, Australia
Ever imagined experiencing a movie on the rooftop of a building that not only offers a different ambiance but also a killer view of Melbourne from the roof that also hosts a Kung Fu academy, a bookstore, and a cookie bar? Rooftop Cinema, located in Melbourne, Australia, can offer you such an experience while you are seated on one of the 185 beautifully colored deck chairs dotting the roof with blankets provided to resist the chills on the roof.
Cinematheque Francaise, Paris, France
Cinematheque Francaise, located in Paris, is a museum of films, movie documents and film-related objects in the world. Established in 1936, the Cinematheque features daily screenings of both classic and new films around the globe. The best part about this movie theater is that it projects the movies on its large interior walls rather than on a typical projection screen.
Cinespia, Hollywood, California
While for most of us, watching a movie is all about enjoying, relaxing and having a good time. There is a cinema theater located in Hollywood, California, which offers the same experience but in the company of the dead buried under the gravestones. Yes, you read that right. Cinespia hosts outdoor movie nights at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where the graves of legends like Marion Davies, Peter Lorre, John Huston, Fay Wray, Harry Cohn, Bugsy Siegel, and Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer reside. Although creepy, many folks turn up to these movie screenings to have an unforgettable experience at movie-watching.
Kino International, Berlin, Germany
Being a host of a strong list of movie premieres, festivals, and parties, Kino International also has a great history behind it as it is one of the old remnants of the Cold War and is active since Germany’s socialist period. The movie theater is marked as a heritage center, which means that in no consequence, the outside facade of Kino International, along with its furnishing and interiors, can be altered.
4DX, Seoul, South Korea
Credited as the first 4-D movie theater in the world, 4DX, located in Seoul, South Korea, hosts screenings of the latest studio releases. The movie theater actually upgrades the 3-D experience to a whole new level by introducing movement and scent, as well as wind and water effects in sync with the movie being screened. However, the theater management has a strict policy on who are eligible to experience the movie at 4DX as its amusement park-type effects are not suited for all.
The Castro Theatre, San Francisco, United States
If you wondered how was the experience of watching a movie in the first half of the 20th century in the United States under its trademark Movie Palaces with grandeur designs across the major cities, then the Castro Theatre is the right place for you. Its Mexican cathedral-inspire facade is one of the major attractions for tourists especially the crazy movie fans.
#Bonus:
Secret Cinema, Worldwide
Now this is not a single theater physically located at a particular destination. Secret Cinema, in fact, is an organization based in London that organizes monthly movie screenings, keeping the mystery of its next location. You need to register in order to know about the next location of the movie screening. In addition to the movie screening, the Secret Cinema group also hosts some live-action versions of scenes from the movies with the help of hired actors right before the original movie to keep the audience entertained before the finale.
