Proudly standing amidst the hustle and bustle of Regent’s Street since the mid-1800s; Regent Street Cinema isn’t just the oldest cinema in the city. It’s the oldest in the whole darn country. It’s even said to be the birthplace of British cinema, having played host to the very first film screening back in 1896. Not bad, hey?
An Art Deco cinema in the heart of central London; Regent Street Cinema is where the Lumière brothers brought their Cinematographe machine over from Paris and used it for a paying audience for the first time. That’s right: 54 punters paid one whole shilling to watch 40 second clips of moving images. And that, my friends, was the groundbreaking creation of British cinema.
Regent Street Cinema continued to be a pioneer in the movie-theatre industry, repeatedly making history and blazing trails. They hosted the first UK screening of an X-rated movie and were also the first cinema to use the ‘Pepper’s Ghost’ optical illusion. The Victorian, Grade II Listed building was also a favourite hangout of Princess Margaret until it closed to the public in 1980, becoming a University of Westminster lecture hall.
In 2015, with support from the university and funding from various sponsors, Regent Street Cinema was restored and reopened. Now run by a team of film-buffs who carefully curate a varied and exciting programme of films, Regent Street Cinema is a true vintage gem in the treasure trove of central London.
From the biggest blockbusters to the most innovative indie films, each movie is lovingly selected and can be enjoyed from one of their squishy, velvet chairs. Giving the cosy, nostalgic, old-school cinema vibes that are hard to come by in 2024; Regent Street Cinema should certainly be high on the list when you’re considering where to catch your next flick.
Find out more and plan your visit to Regent Street Cinema here.
📍 307 Regent Street, W1B 2HW.