The best cinemas in Melbourne

Palace Westgarth is like taking a trip back to the golden age of Hollywood – the grand stairwell is just one example – and for such an opulent old cinema, the cosy seats and wide screens make for excellent viewing. The Palace has lovingly maintained the Art Deco architecture throughout, making it a beautiful setting for the mix of independent flicks and Hollywood blockbusters that grace the cinema's screens. Check in often for international film festivals. 

Melbourne’s largest arthouse movie complex, Cinema Nova boasts a whopping 16 screens devoted to new release arthouse and upmarket commercial films, plus regular film events, special screenings and festivals. Since its inception in 1992, Cinema Nova has been renowned for supporting local films. It’s also among the first cinemas in the country to screen stage productions from around the world.

The Astor in St Kilda has accumulated the kind of reputation every cinema dreams of – and a loyal fan base to boot. It’s a cinema in the grand, old manner, meaning it’s actually the last single screen cinema of its kind in continuous operation in Melbourne. Beautiful gold curtains frame the screen; the entire experience feels like you’ve flashbacked to old Hollywood. 

Located in Brunswick East (aka the sixth coolest neighbourhood in the world), FoMo Cinema is bringing a new style of in-cinema dining to Melbourne, where the spotlight will be on the food just as much as the films. Thoughtfully fitted auditoriums, a chef-designed specialty menu and a schmick online ordering system will combine to provide patrons with an on-demand food and drink service throughout the film. Better yet, FoMo Cinemas is promising to provide this elevated experience with standard movie ticket prices. The theatre’s distinctive name stands for ‘food and movies’, not ‘fear of missing out’, although we’re sure you’ll be feeling plenty of that if you don’t secure a table.  

Calling all serious cinephiles (and those who just love kicking back in a comfy recliner and catching a good flick) Palace Penny Lane Cinema in Moonee Ponds is the new kid on the movie block. It features 11 indoor screens, state-of-the-art 4K laser projection, fully reclining leather lounges and an extensive menu (and yes, before you ask, you’ll still be able to grab one of Palace Cinemas’ famous double-feature pours). But the cherry on top of this delightful cinematic sundae is the rooftop area, which will boast spectacular views of the suburb and an outdoor screen that will show everything from new releases to cult classics and kid-friendly favourites. 

Located just five minutes from St Kilda, Classic Cinemas screens a variety of Hollywood blockbusters, foreign films and family favourites, as well as being home to the Jewish International Film Festival. The building was built in 1889 and opened as a theatre in 1911, and it's been an important part of the Elsternwick community for more than a century. 

Previously a dead building in the middle of the busy Glenferrie Road strip in Hawthorn, Lido Cinemas was revived into a vibrant, eight-screen cineplex that shows a mix of commercial and arthouse releases from all over the world. Much of the historic interior has been left intact and given a modern touch with swathes of bold colour: deep red walls, purple carpeting and block coloured decor. 

This pint-sized cinema has been independently run since it opened in 1938. Not only will you find a welcome breadth of arthouse and foreign films on the program, you can also admire its well-preserved Art Deco facade on the way in. Having undergone plenty of refurbishments since its birth as a single screen 1,050 seat cinema (including a period in the ‘60s when the Sun became a Greek cinema) it’s now back to glory with eight individual cinemas each detailed with original Art Deco details.