The road to recovery amid the Covid-19 pandemic was never going to be easy – but for cinemas, it’s proving harder than expected. After the initial wave of the Coronavirus forced near-every major blockbuster back to the second half of 2020, the summer saw film venues across the country tentatively re-open, showing old favourites, fresh indie releases, and Christopher Nolan’s epic time-twisting action movie Tenet. The signs seemed promising, and it was a joy to be back in the multiplexes and independents once again. But with cases now rising again and the biggest upcoming releases being pushed further back by the studios, British cinemas are facing a harsh reality. Cineworld (and its Picturehouse chain) has announced closures of roughly six months. Odeon has confirmed weekend-only opening. And the future for other venues looks similarly rocky.
It’s a situation that’s currently in flux, with all kinds of complicated factors – availability of films for exhibition, support from the government, audience attendance figures. But whether your local cinema is currently open or not, there are ways you can help your go-to chain or nearby indie cinema – read below for links to buy gift cards and memberships, and other ways to show your support.
And remember: while these are dark times, this is not the end of the big screen. As long as there is a film community, there will be places for us to congregate and get the communal experience that only the big screen can deliver. We’ll see you in the sticky-carpeted foyer with a big box of sweet and salted popcorn, when the time comes. In the meantime, here’s what we can do.
READ MORE: Edgar Wright on the importance of saving the big screen experience
READ MORE: Your favourite cinema experiences
Gift Cards
If your local cinema is currently closing, or isn't showing anything that takes your fancy right now, you can buy a gift card – effectively staking out some tickets for your future self, who’ll be more than ready for some major escapism in the not-too-distant future.
Don’t see your local listed here? Check the website of your chosen cinema to see their gift card options – and send a Twitter DM to @EmpireMagazine.
Cinema Groups:
Odeon Gift Cards: Buy here
Note: Odeon Cinemas have announced restricted, weekend-only opening hours in the coming months.
Cineworld Gift Cards: Buy here
Note: Cineworld Cinemas have announced temporary cinema closures for the coming months.
Vue Gift Cards: Buy here
Showcase Gift Cards: Buy here
Empire Cinemas Gift Cards: Buy here
Picturehouse Gift Cards: Buy here
Note: Picturehouse Cinemas have announced temporary cinema closures for the coming months.
The Light Gift Cards: Buy here
Everyman Gift Cards: Buy here
WTW Cinemas Gift Cards: Buy here
Merlin Cinemas Gift Cards: Buy here
Independent Cinemas:
The Prince Charles Cinema (Central London): Buy here
Rio Cinema (Dalston, London): Buy here
Genesis Cinema (Bethnal Green, London): Buy here
Archlight Cinema (Battersea, London): Buy here
ArtHouse (Crouch End, London): Buy here
The Odyssey Cinema (St. Albans): Buy here
The Dome Cinema (Worthing): Buy here
Orion Cinema (Burgess Hill): [Buy here](http://Voucher: https://www.onlinecinematickets.com/?p=voucher&s=ORIONBH)
The Palace Cinema (Broadstairs, Kent): Buy here
The Ultimate Picture Palace (Oxford): Buy here
Regal Cinema (Wadebridge): Buy here
Electric Picture House (Wotton): Buy here
Abbeygate Cinema (Bury St Edmunds): Buy here
Tivoli (Bath): Buy here
The Rex Cinema (Berkhamsted): Buy here
Ipswich Film Theatre: Buy here
The Mockingbird (Birmingham): Buy here
Broadway Cinema (Nottingham): Buy here
Savoy Cinema (Nottingham): Buy here
The Arc Cinema (Hucknall): Buy here
The Kinema In The Woods (Lincolnshire): Buy here
Phoenix (Leicester): Buy here
The Regal Cinema (Melton Mowbray): Buy here
Derby QUAD: Call 01332 290606
Showroom Cinema (Sheffield): Buy here
Majestic Cinema (King's Lynn): Buy here
Parkway Cinema (Cleethorpes): Buy here
HOME (Manchester): Buy here
Savoy Cinema Heaton Moor (Stockport): Buy here
The Dukes (Lancaster): Buy here
Hebden Bridge Picture House: Buy here
The Brewery Arts Centre (Kendal): Buy here
Tyneside Cinema (Newcastle): Buy here
Forum Cinema Hexham: Buy here
Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre (Dumfries): Call 01387 264808
Glasgow Film Theatre: Buy here
Filmhouse Cinema (Edinburgh): Buy here
Dominion Cinema (Edinburgh): Buy here
Perth Playhouse: Buy here
Belmont Filmhouse (Aberdeen): Buy here
Queen's Film Theatre (Belfast): Buy here
Memberships
There’s never been a better time to buy a cinema membership – a promise that you’ll be back once everything has worked itself out, and with plenty of bonuses for you in the form of discounts, free tickets and other perks.
Cinema Groups:
Cineworld Unlimited: Buy here
Note: Cineworld Cinemas have announced temporary cinema closures for the coming months.
Odeon Limitless: Buy here
Note: Odeon Cinemas have announced restricted, weekend-only opening hours in the coming months.
Picturehouse Membership: Buy here
Note: Picturehouse Cinemas have announced temporary cinema closures for the coming months.
Curzon Membership: Buy here
Everyman Membership: Buy here
BFI Membership: Buy here
The Light Infinity: Buy here
Merlin Cinemas Movie Magic Card: Buy here
Independent cinemas:
The Prince Charles Cinema (London) Membership: Buy here
Regent St. Cinema (London) Membership: Buy here
Rio Cinema (Dalston, London) Membership: Buy here
Genesis Cinema (Bethnal Green, London) Membership: Buy here
Archlight Cinema (Battersea, London) Film Club: Buy here
ArtHouse (Crouch End, London) Membership: Buy here
Phoenix (East Finchley, London) Friends: Buy here
Catford Mews (London) Membership: Buy here
The Odyssey Cinema (St. Albans) Membership: Buy here
Picturedrome (Bognor Regis) Privilege Card: Buy here
Kino (Hawkhurst and Rye) Membership: Buy here
Depot (Lewes) Membership: Buy here
Regal Cinema (Fordingbridge) Membership: Buy here
The Capitol Horsham Membership: Buy here
Leiston Film Theatre (Suffolk) Membership: Buy here
The Ultimate Picture Palace (Oxford) Membership: Buy here
Abbeygate Cinema (Bury St Edmunds) Membership: Buy here
Saffron Screen (Saffron Walden) Friends: Buy here
Ipswich Film Theatre Friendship: Buy here
The Electric (Birmingham) Membership: Buy here
The Mockingbird (Birmingham) Membership: Buy here
Light House (Wolverhampton) Membership: Buy here
Broadway Cinema (Nottingham) Membership: Buy here
Phoenix (Leicester) Membership: Buy here
The Regal Cinema (Melton Mowbray) Membership: Buy here
Derby QUAD Membership: Buy here
The Northern Light Cinema (Wirksworth, Derby) Membership: Buy here
Showroom Cinema (Sheffield) Membership: Buy here
HOME (Manchester): Buy here
Hyde Park Picture House (Leeds) Membership: Buy here
Pictureville (Science And Media Museum, Bradford) Membership: Buy here
Hebden Bridge Picture House Membership: Buy here
The Dukes (Lancaster) Membership: Buy here
The Brewery Arts Centre (Kendal) Membership: Buy here
Savoy Cinema Heaton Moor (Stockport) Membership: Buy here
Tyneside Cinema (Newcastle) Membership: Buy here
Forum Cinema Hexham Membership: Buy here
Jam Jar Cinema (Whitley Bay) Friendship: Buy here
Glasgow Film Theatre Membership: Buy here
Filmhouse Cinema (Edinburgh) Membership: Buy here
Dominion Cinema (Edinburgh) Membership: Buy here
DCA (Dundee) Membership: Buy here
Belmont Filmhouse (Aberdeen) Membership: Buy here
Shetland Arts Membership: Buy here
Queen's Film Theatre (Belfast) Membership: Buy here
More ways to support financially
Donations:
Screen 25 (South Norwood, London): Donate here
Phoenix (East Finchley, London): Donate here
Saffron Screen (Saffron Walden): Donate here
Leiston Film Theatre (Suffolk): Donate here
Light House Wolverhampton: Donate here
Broadway Cinema (Nottingham): Donate here
Phoenix (Leicester): Friend scheme with donation here
Derby QUAD: Donate here
Showroom Cinema (Sheffield): Donate here
Hyde Park Picture House (Leeds): Donate here
The Brewery Arts Centre (Kendal): Donate here
Hebden Bridge Picture House: Become a Centenary Patron here
The Dukes (Lancaster): Donate here
HOME (Manchester): Donate here
Bijou Cinema (Southport): Donate here
ARC Stockton Arts Centre: Donate here
Filmhouse Scotland: Donate here
DCA (Dundee): Donate here
Glasgow Film Theatre: Donate here
Shetland Arts: Donate here
Queen's Film Theatre (Belfast): Donate here
Private hire:
Regal Cinema (Fordingbridge): Book here
Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre (Dumfries): Book here
Digital screenings:
We Are Many (Dome Cinema): Book here
Hyde Park Picture House (Leeds) digital screenings: Book here
Seat adoption / sponsorship:
Broadway Cinema (Nottingham): More here
Showroom Cinema (Sheffield): More here
Queen's Film Theatre (Belfast): More here
Forum Cinema Hexham: More here
Hebden Bridge Picture House: More here
Saffron Screen (Saffron Walden): More here
Social media support
Supporting your favourite cinema financially won’t be possible for everyone, and that’s absolutely OK. First and foremost right now should be taking care of yourself and your nearest and dearest. But you can share your support easily and for free with messages of support, solidarity, and celebration on social media.
Whether you’re on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or any other platform, reach out to your local film venue and let them know that you care, that you can’t wait to return once social distancing eases up, and tell them exactly what it is that you love about them. Share it in public, send it as a private message, drop them an email – whatever you choose, they’ll be thrilled to hear from you.
Online cinema shops
Some UK cinemas have merch, memorabilia, and all sorts of lovely bits for you to splash your cash on – now would be a good time for you to treat yourself to some cool cinematic collectibles, and throw a bit of money their way in the process.
The Prince Charles Cinema Shop
Hyde Park Picture House shop
The Rio Cinema Online Store
The BFI Shop
Kinema In The Woods
Check back soon for more Celebrate Our Cinemas coverage on Empire Online.