An insider's guide

London students with a passion for film are fortunate to have an extensive array of diverse and eclectic cinemas right at their doorstep. Whether craving the latest Friday night release or an esoteric masterpiece on a rainy weekday afternoon, we introduce five must-know cinemas every London student should visit.

1) The Garden Cinema

No more than a five minute walk from LSE campus, The Garden Cinema offers a unique cinematic experience right on the edge of London's Covent Garden. The Garden Cinema screens repertory seasons and new releases from around the world, and as a truly independent cinema, their team is free to curate an eclectic mixture of new releases, mainstream classics and hard-to-find cinematic gems you can’t find anywhere else.

Follow on Instagram here @thegardencinema

2) BFI Southbank

At the forefront of London's film culture, the British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank is the standout for film lovers. BFI screens a broad range of films in various languages from across the world, and students can benefit from discounted tickets and access exclusive events. The BFI National Archive has one of the most important film and TV collections in the world, and for those of you who are looking for an immersive experience, check out the BFI IMAX in Waterloo – the largest cinema screen in the UK!

Follow on instagram at @britishfilminstitute

3) Everyman Cinemas

Redefining movie-watching across London venues, Everyman Cinemas offer plush seating, intimate screening rooms, and a diverse selection of box office and lesser-known gems. With screens in Borough, Islington, Baker Street and Hampstead you are never far away from an affordable yet stylish cinema experience. The best bit? Everyman staff take your food and drink order at your seat and bring it to you while watching the film!

Follow on Instagram at @everymancinema

4) Picturehouse Cinemas

Picturehouse Cinemas have carved out a cinematic niche, offering a mix of mainstream and independent films from across the world to UK cinemagoers. A firm commitment to community engagement and a cozy ambiance makes Picturehouse a firm favourite among students. Meanwhile their various venues across London – including Soho, Greenwich, Hackney, and Brixton – host exclusive events, behind-the-scenes content, and special screenings.

Follow on Instagram at @picturehouses

5) Curzon Cinemas

Renowned internationally for its avant-garde film selection and commitment to independent cinema, Curzon Cinemas have been a firm fixture on London's cinema scene for decades. With venues in key locations like Soho and Mayfair, Curzon provides a sophisticated atmosphere for film lovers of all types. Make sure to check out Curzon's curated film recommendations and arthouse cinema picks.

Follow on Instagram at @curzoncinemas

Bonus: Mubi GO

As an added dimension to your cinematic journey around London, we can highly recommend downloading the Mubi GO app. Mubi GO's subscription service provides members with a cinema ticket each week to enjoy carefully curated films in cinemas near you, including all of the above. It's a fantastic way to discover a variety of films while optimizing your student budget.