The Best Places for Film Lovers in London

There is nothing quite like British cinema, in my personal opinion. If it's not clear by now, the British film industry is probably my favorite thing in this world. So, when I lived in London last year, I made it my mission to live and breath British film. I came across a number of fantastic places in London that are perfect for any any hard-core film lover like me. Here are my top 8 favorite place in London for film lovers!

BFI Southbank
South Bank
Nearest Tube Station: Waterloo

The BFI Southbank is a place of dreams if you love British films as much as I do. Situated right underneath Waterloo Bridge, the BFI Southbank provides a space for film lovers to meet and share their passions for this visual art form. The center houses four cinemas, a super swanky bar, a restaurant, a bookshop, and a library (with a hidden bar inside). Each season the BFI puts on carefully selected seasons that celebrates this fantastic art form. They also host a number of special events and screenings throughout the year, including the London film festival, the LGBT film festival, exclusive re-releases and new releases, as well as director and actors retrospectives. The BFI Southbank radiates passion for cinema and it is a fantastic place to just exude your love for cinema. The BFI Southbank is one of my personal favorite places in all of London.  

The Warner Brothers Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter
Leavesden Studios
​Nearest Tube Station: Watford Junction 

The Making of Harry Potter tour is an absolute must-see for anyone who loves Harry Potter or who just loves films. This tour offers guests the chance to walk on the real life studio sets and see up close how movie magic is made. From prop design to costumes to special effects and everything in between, this tour offers a master class in movie making. And if you're an intense Potter fan like me, this tour will make you fall in love with these magical films all over again. This tour is a fantastic way to see all the detail, craft, and passion that went into this decade long series. The Making of Harry Potter is an ode to the greatness of British cinema. It is honestly the most magic place for anyone who loves Harry Potter or films. 

BAFTA 195 Piccadilly
Piccadilly
Nearest Tube Station: Piccadilly Circus

195 Piccadilly serves as BAFTA's headquarters in London. Not always open to the public, this space is a film lover's dream (well, it is mine anyways). BAFTA offers a number of events each year, like exclusive screenings, filmmaker talks, and Guru panels, that invite us peasants into this majestic place. A ticket to an event gives you access to the member's lounge where the walls a lined with pictures of famous BAFTA winners and cases display actual real life BAFTAs. Being in BAFTA is like almost being in some sort of proximity to film greatness; I hoped some its greatness would rub off on me. If you're as hard-core about films as I am, BAFTA is a must. But it is probably the poshest place I've ever been, so don't make the mistake I did and show up in jeans and a t-shirt with your uni books. Yikes. 

Picturehouse Central
Piccadilly 
Nearest Tube Station: Piccadilly Circus

Picturehouse Central, located right on the corner of Shaftesbury Ave in the heart of the West End, is one of London's favorite cinema. Picturehouse Central offers a wide range of films, from blockbusters to avant-garde and low-budget indie flicks. Picturehouse Central has a number of fantastic initiatives, like Culture Shock and Discover Tuesday, that promotes audiences to discover and embrace new types, styles, and genres of cinema they otherwise would not have. These initiatives are fantastic ways to open up a whole new world of cinema to any audience member. The cinema also hosts the London Sundance Film Festival, offering a range of diverse and interesting films. The cinema offers cinema-goers a cafe, restaurant, and, for members only, a roof-top bar overlooking Piccadilly Circus. The grand interior of Picturehouse Central makes a trip to cinema feel like a majestic affair. 

Curzon 
Soho
Nearest Tube Station: Leicester Square

The Curzon in Soho is probably, in my opinion, the swankiest cinema in London. Dubbed as the capital's favorite arthouse cinema, the Curzon Soho has an effortless charm about it. The cinema specializes in off-the-cuff arthouse films and is devoted to serving a unique market of cinema-goers. The two bars located within the space offer guests unique beers and cakes just like the movies playing on the screen. The atmosphere in the Curzon energetic and artsy; this is definitely a cinema for people who have a real love for the art of film. 

Prince Charles Cinema
Soho
​Nearest Tube Station: Leicester Square

The Prince Charles Cinema is the countries "funkiest" cinema. It offers a mix of mainstream, art house, and classic films, suited for just about anyone. The Prince Charles is not a cinema where "sshing" is allowed; the causal environment of the Prince Charles brings a new and vibrant atmosphere for cinema-goers. Most famously, the Prince Charles offers special movie events, like sing-a-longs, which brings the community of cinephiles together for a rambunctious and entertaining evening. This cinema is quirky and a little bit kooky, but it definitely offers an experience any film lover should experience.

Everyman Screen on the Green 
Islington 
Nearest Tube Station: Angel 

Screen on the Green has a rich history in London. The cinema opened in 1913 and is one of the oldest, fully operating cinemas in the UK. Noted for its unmissable exterior, the one screen cinema offers guests comfy valet seats and an amazing bar. The cinema puts on a number of events each month, ranging from NT Live screenings to filmmakers Q&As. Aside from screening movies, Screen on the Green also hosts a number of live events each year, like comedians and musicians. Plus, Screen on the Green is also a personal favorite of mine because of it being in my home neighborhood of Islington. 

Electric Cinema 
Notting Hill
Nearest Tube Station: Notting Hill Gate

The Electric Cinema on Portobello Road is one of the UK's oldest cinemas. Probably the most defining characteristic of the Electric is its incredible interior. The interior of the cinema is designed to reflect the long history of cinema; it reflects the stylish era of Buster Keaton and the Lumineers. The seating of the cinema is made up of leather armchairs and footstools, as well as two-seater sofas and beds (yes, beds!). The Electric offers an unparalleled experience for any type of cinema-goer. The atmosphere and style of the cinema are electric, but beware, that style comes with quite a high price tag. 

P.S. Also check out this amazing trailer made of the cinema, starring some of the country's greatest stars!