[category]
[title]
Living in Australia’s cultural capital, we Melburnians very much appreciate a night at the cinema. Sure, streaming from the comfort of your own couch is tempting, but there’s something magical about seeing a film on the big screen – especially in one of the world’s finest theatres.
In Melbourne, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to picture palaces – from Art Deco institutions to boutique arthouses and mainstream multiplexes. And now, two of them have earned a spot among the world’s 100 greatest cinemas in a new ranking by Time Out. Global Film Editor Phil de Semlyen teamed up with local kino experts from around the globe to compile the list, spotlighting almost exclusively single-use picture houses that are still thriving.
Crowned Australia’s most beautiful theatre in 2025, St Kilda’s Astor Theatre cracked the global list of the greatest cinemas at number 61. Dating back to 1936, this grand Art Deco treasure is Melbourne’s oldest single-screen theatre and has survived several crises to earn heritage status. It’s a rep cinema haven, famous for legendary screenings like Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense, while also hosting 75mm presentations of the latest blockbusters. The homemade choc tops are the icing on the cake.
On the other side of the city, the Sun Theatre in Yarraville also features on the global list, landing at number 72. The Sun has been shining in this corner of Melbourne since 1938, growing from a massive single screen to the eight-screener it is today, showing a mix of new releases, cult classics (it’s midway through a two-year-long Tarantino season) and 70mm screenings. Hot tip: the Sun Theatre offers one of the only cinema gift cards with no expiry.
Interested to see which other Aussie cinemas were spotlighted on the list? You can check out the Australian ranking below and explore the full list of the 100 Greatest Cinemas here.
The greatest cinemas in Australia, according to Time Out:
30. Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, Sydney
40. Golden Age Cinema and Bar, Sydney
61. The Astor Theatre, Melbourne
71. The Regal Theatre, Adelaide
72. The Sun Theatre, Melbourne
96. Sun Pictures, Broome
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.