Netflix is great, but we all need to get out of the house at some point! And nothing beats a visit to the good old cinema – stepping into a dark theatre and nestling into a plush seat with a fizzy fountain drink and a bucket of buttery popcorn. In Singapore, many neighbourhood malls house a cinema, so you should easily find one near you. If you need a little help, though, here are some suggestions of where to catch the latest blockbusters and independent films in town.
Golden Village
Golden Village has cinemas all across Singapore, from Suntec City to the heartlands in Bishan. Moviegoers can look forward to spacious and comfy seats, and state-of-the-art screens and sounds; the GV Max hall at VivoCity has a Dolby Atmos sound system and one of the largest screens (22.4 metres) in Asia! For a treat, book into Gold Class, which offers classy leather recliner seats as well as food and wine. Tickets from $29.
Golden Village also offers the iGV app, which allows you to buy tickets on the go and keeps you up-to-date with promotions. To make things even easier, the Quick Tix feature (an e-ticket using a QR code) means you can directly enter the theatre instead of lining up for a hardcopy ticket when you arrive.
Where: SingPost Centre (Paya Lebar), Tiong Bahru Plaza, Suntec City, VivoCity, Plaza Singapura, Tampines Mall, Jurong Point, Junction 8 (Bishan), City Square (Farrer Park), Great World City, 112 Katong, Yishun (51 Yishun Central 1), Capitol Theatre
Cathay Cineplexes
Another go-to cinema chain is Cathay Cineplexes, with eight locations across the island. Again, you can expect the latest technology, with Dolby Surround Sound systems and advanced projection screens. Its newest opening is at Parkway Parade, with an Assistive Listening Device system for the hearing and visually-impaired.
Cathay also allows you to catch your movie in style in its Platinum Movie Suites, with posh reclinable leather seats and a personalised butler service. Before the screening, head to the Platinum Movie Lounge for some food and drink. Tickets from $28.
Where: The Cathay, Cineleisure Orchard, Causeway Point, AMK Hub, Downtown East, West Mall (Bukit Batok), JEM and Parkway Parade.
Shaw Theatres
The popular Shaw Theatres has been in Singapore for the longest time of all the cinema chains. It currently operates seven cinemas, boasting the latest technology and comfy seating. Selected locations (Shaw Theatres Lido, JCube and Waterway Point) also offer an IMAX movie experience with even more spectacular visuals and sounds. Seats are sloped steeply to allow unobstructed views of the screen.
Upgrade your movie experience with a screening at Shaw Theatres Premiere, including snacks and even a full meal while you enjoy the film. Tickets start at $20.
Where: Lido (Shaw House), Nex (Serangoon Central), JCube, Shaw Plaza (Balestier), Waterway Point (Punggol), The Seletar Mall and Lot 1 Shoppers’ Mall.
WE Cinemas by Eng Wah
Homegrown cinema operator WE Cinemas offers ten spacious halls at its Clementi property (older outlets at West Mall and Suntec City are now closed). They also have a premium movie experience called First Class, allowing you to enjoy all-day brunch, wines and even high tea, or to treat your little ones to a kids’ meal.
Where: 321 Clementi, 321 Clementi Avenue 3 #03-03
Carnival Cinema
Formerly known as Rex Cinemas, Carnival Cinema is your go-to place for Hindi and Tamil films (In the past, it screened mainstream films of other languages, including English ones.) Bollywood fans will love this one!
Where: 100 Beach Road, #02-30A Shaw Towers
The Projector
Looking for something a little different? Head to The Projector for a great selection of alternative films, cult favourites, arthouse and foreign films. The venue houses two halls, the 230-seat Green Room and the 180-seat Redrum – just be sure to snag one of the bean bags! Pick up some popcorn or a draft beer from the Golden Bar and stay on for the post-screening afterparties.
Where: 6001 Beach Road, #05-00 Golden Mile Tower
The Screening Room
Drop by The Screening Room in Chinatown and enjoy a much more intimate film experience than you get at the cinema. The two daily screenings cover everything from classics to independent and foreign films. Indulge in drinks and snacks and cosy in on the sofas; at 10pm, the theatre transforms into a lounge for the night, with great cocktails and tunes.
Where: 12 Ann Siang Road, Level 3
Alliance Française Singapour
Join Ciné-Club at Alliance Française Singapour and discover the wonders of French cinema, from famous films featured at international film festivals to indie films that can be hard to come across. And don’t worry if you don’t understand French; the movies are screened with English subtitles! Every Tuesday at 8pm, or bring your little ones along for screenings by Ciné-Kids on selected Sundays at 4pm.
Where: 1 Sarkies Road
Movie Mob
During the cooler months of the year, enjoy the nice weather with an outdoor movie with MovieMob. These free movie screenings are held in different locations, with past venues including Biopolis at One North and The Oval at Seletar Aerospace Park. Bring a mat and get ready for a night of fun and good company.
Where: Various locations
Popcorn Movie Nights
Popular movie app Popcorn has launched Popcorn Movie Nights @ Sentosa, a weekly outdoor cinema series by the beach. Free screenings will be held every Tuesday from now until April 2018, with popcorn, food, drinks and music to enjoy too. Activities start from 6pm.
Where: Palawan Green, Sentosa
Have you seen our Singapore City Guide yet?
Like this? Check out more fun things to do around Singapore.
Lindsay Yap
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