The best cinemas in Brisbane

The Red Hill Cinemas are the coolest cinemas in Brisbane. It's big call, but we're making it! The heritage-listed site dates back to the 1920s and has been home to the Pop Picture Palace, a club, and most recently, a skating rink. Forced to close in the early 2000s due to fire, the vacant building became a haven for local graffiti artists. When the Sourris Brothers (whose great-uncle ran the original theatre on the same site) opened the cinema in 2019, they made sure to include some of the street art from the original building. The cinema is home to four intimate Gold Room theatres, featuring reclining chairs and bar service, as well as a traditional larger theatre. 

There are two Palace cinemas in Brisbane, and they are both so good that we couldn’t choose just one. Leafy James Street in Fortitude Valley is known for showing the very best of arthouse, indie, Australian and international cinema. Throughout the year the cinema hosts a range of film festivals, including the French, German and Spanish film festivals, as well as screenings of world-class ballets, operas and concerts from the globe's finest companies. The ten theatres at James Street boast state-of-the-art sound and luxurious comfort (the reclining chairs are just about the best in Brisbane), and the cinema is fully licensed.  

The Barracks iteration for the franchise's famous indie film showings and international film festivals like the annual Japanese Film Festival is easy on the eye any way you look at it, with its stunning views of the city and river. Much like its sibling cinema, expect art house movies, fabulous facilities and special screenings you just won't find at any other cinema in town.

The Elizabeth Picture Theatre brings a touch of opulence to Brisbane’s cinema scene. Seeing a movie here is as much about checking out the historical surroundings as it is about watching the movie. Housed in a heritage-listed former ballroom in the heart of the CBD, at this cinema you’ll find all the trappings of a bygone era. Take the spiral staircase up to the foyer, where you’ll find stained glass windows, vintage chairs and the original wooden bar - perfect for a pre-screening drink. The two theatres are housed in the former ballrooms and still boast all the original ceiling finishes. Playing a range of arthouse, indie and mainstream movies, this cinema is a must-do Brisbane experience. 

On the scene since 1921, this student and indie fave is a great place to catch a movie after a bite to eat on Brunswick Street. The six theatres have been designed around individual colour schemes, the highlight of which is the Purple Room – an original 1970s vintage delight restored to its former glory but with the addition of state-of-the-art technology. Along with Bronze, Blue and Red rooms, there are also two intimate Gold Class theatres. Chuck in some front-row beanbags, vintage glass chandeliers, eclectic movie memorabilia, retro arcade games and signature cocktails, and you’ve got the perfect cinema-going experience. 

Local favourite Cinebar plays the latest releases in super luxe surroundings. Right at home in the buzzing dining hub of Rosalie, Cinebar tempts movie lovers with an array of gourmet pizzas and Asian-inspired eats, all of which can be delivered directly to your seat. You can even order a cheese board to go with your wine or signature cocktail. With five theatres screening the latest blockbusters, as well as Bubs in Arms and open caption screenings, all that’s left to do is pick your movie and kick back in the super-comfortable reclining seats.

OK, so Yatala isn’t technically Brisbane, but as a much-loved local landmark, we couldn't leave this quirky venue off our listings of the best cinemas. Yatala Drive-In is all about old-school fun. Think back to childhood visits to the drive-in in your PJs, where you’d fill up on popcorn and choc tops as you watched the latest blockbusters on the outdoor screen. Bring along chairs and a picnic blanket if you want to sit outside, and visit the 1950s-style diner for hot food and snacks. If you really want to make a night of it, there are special discounts for double screenings. And if you have a pooch that's partial to Polanski, Peckinpah, Pasolini or Payne, you can even bring your pets.