The best Hong Kong cinemas and movie theatres

A joint effort between cinema chain giants Emperor Cinemas and MCL Cinemas, The Wai's Emperor Cinemas Plus+ boasts six theatres and a total of 912 seats. It's also the first cinema in town to be equipped with Dolby System131 Screen Channel Speaker throughout, including the 185-seater Dolby Atoms theatre. As for movie snacks, don't miss their exclusive crab meat hot dog, fried chicken, or Tsit Wing Hong Kong-style milk tea for the complete movie experience.

Cinema chain MCL’s newest branch is in Tsim Sha Tsui’s The One mall, appropriately named MCL The One. Comprising six theatres across three floors, the 831-seat cinema stands out as it is the first in Hong Kong to use a Krix patented speaker system – its throat-shaped horn causes less disturbance at high frequencies and is the world’s first four-way cinema speaker with precision coverage, so every seat in the cinema can enjoy improved sound definition.

Three of the theatres are equipped for 3D movies, and on Tuesdays tickets go for $65 all day. A film experience with enhanced sound quality, at that kind of price point? No complaints from us.

Broadway Cinemathèque is one of the best in the city when it comes to showing indie flicks and world cinema offerings. Aside from film showings, the Yau Ma Tei venue also offers retrospective film programmes delving into the oeuvres of legendary filmmakers, introducing cinema luminaries to younger audiences to develop a new generation of cinephiles. The adjoining Kubrick Café is also a great place to grab a coffee and pick up some new books.

Cineart JP is the third Cineart House location in Hong Kong. Decked out with Cineart House's signature mint green colour,, the cinema spans two floors, with a total of 658 seats across two screening houses. The first house boasts 380 seats – making it the largest screen house on Hong Kong Island in terms of seat capacity – and is equipped with a state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos sound system, while the second house has 278 seats and features Barco 4K Laser projectors to deliver a high-quality cinematic experience. 

Situated in the heart of Mong Kok, this flagship Cinema City location features six theatres and a total of 1,102 seats. The cinema was also the first to introduce 4DX theatre in Hong Kong, which uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver motion and environmental effects like breezes and smoky explosions to create an immersive cinematic experience for moviegoers.

Golden Scene Cinema is Kennedy Town's very own independent cinema that opened its doors in 2021. The cinema boasts four houses with 283 seats in total and screens local productions, international blockbusters, as well as a selection of art films.

The Grand Ocean is one of Hong Kong’s stateliest old-school movie theatres, located just a hop, skip and a jump away from the Star Ferry Terminal and Harbour City. There's only one screen at the cinema but it boasts an impressive 456 seats. So if you're tired of dinky screens and are seeking a more epic feel next time you go to the pictures, Grand Ocean's massive auditorium should do the trick.

K11 Art House by MCL is home to 12 screening houses, one of which is an IMAX house that seats up to 368 people and features Hong Kong's first IMAX laser projection system. In addition to mainstream movie releases, K11 Art House also offers alternative entertainment programs and special cultural spotlights

A traditional Hong Kong-style theatre in Hung Hom, Lux Theatre opened in the 70s and everything here has been kept the same since its opening. There are old movie posters everywhere, along with vintage items such as an old-style weight scale and a film projector. The theatre still uses paper tickets to mark down seat numbers by hand, so be sure to save the ticket for a keepsake. 

Head to the M+ Cinema for everything from feature films and documentaries to video art, restored classics, and indie titles. There are three screening houses of various sizes (180 seats, 60 seats, and 40 seats), each furnished with fabrics by renowned Danish design company Kvadra and seats by Italian furniture maker Poltrona Frau, along with state-of-the-art projection and sound systems to ensure that the films can be screened as closely as possible to their original formats. 

With nine houses and a total seating capacity of 1,129, The Metroplex may not be the easiest of cinemas to get to as it's located within KITEC, Kowloon Bay. But of course, that also means that screenings are rarely very busy, which is a definite advantage if you ask us. There are also three VIP houses suitable for around 20 guests, making it perfect for group bookings.

Moviegoers would feel right at home at this concept cinema that combines culture and lifestyle. Movie Movie Cityplaza offers audiences an eclectic film programming that’s a little less mainstream. A go-to spot for film festival screenings and re-runs of classic movies, Movie Movie is also one of the few cinemas in Hong Kong that screens theatrical performances including National Theatre Live and Bolshoi Ballet. You can also enjoy specialty coffee and light refreshments, along with regular art and cultural events, in the adjoining cultural and art space, House by Kubrick. 

A trip to Palace IFC makes for a swish cinema experience. Clean and comfortable, this spot is always a reliable option. In addition to showing local and Hollywood blockbusters, Palace IFC also offers a variety of foreign-language films and stage productions for those seeking something different. With five houses and 544 seats, you'll have plenty of space to kick back and enjoy the show.

On the second floor of Elements shopping mall sits Premiere Elements, a 12-house cinema (with a total of 1,567 seats!) that screens a wide array of films ranging from Hollywood blockbusters and indie premieres to arthouse flicks. The cinema also regularly plays host to film festivals and special screenings like concerts, ballets, musicals, and even broadcasts of live sporting events. For a more intimate setting, book the VIP house that's designed for only 23 patrons.