Film Clubs in London

Whether you want to watch obscure documentaries or blockbusters with champagne, here’s our guide to the best London film clubs. 

Black and white photo of a nearly empty movie theater. A couple sits in the front row, holding snacks. In the background, a few other people are scattered across the seats, some holding popcorn. The theater is dimly lit with a visible spotlight.

Firmdale Film Club

A dimly-lit movie theater with unique, plush, cow-print and red reclining seats. The chairs alternate between black and white cow prints, and solid red upholstery. Each seat is equipped with a cup holder. The ambiance is cozy and intimate.
Image © firmdalehotels.com

We’ll start by stepping into the high-life. Lots of restaurants and hotels are hosting film clubs in their purpose-built mini-cinemas, and The Soho Hotel has one of London’s most luxurious screening rooms. Their Sunday matinee showings include a three-course meal and a glass of champagne alongside your curated picture. Movies tend to be recent releases a month or two behind their opening - so if you’re looking to catch up, why not do it in style? 

Firmdale Film Club is found at The Soho Hotel, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH  |  Charlotte Street Hotel, 15-17 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 1RJ  |  Covent Garden Hotel, 10 Monmouth Street, London, WC2H 9HB


London Cinema Club

The image features a minimalist logo with the text LONDON CINEMA CLUB centered within overlapping black square outlines on a peach-colored background.
Image © @londoncinemaclub via Instagram

Movie nerd? Film fanatic? Just enjoy going to the cinema?

Whether you’re a cinephile with a film degree or just love movies, there’s room for you. Each week, our group of cinema enthusiasts watches a new film and then meets to talk about it.

Get involved here at London Cinema Club

The Close-Up Film Centre

A cozy, dimly-lit library features floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with books. The room has brown leather sofas, wooden tables, and chairs. Small red candles on tables add a warm, inviting atmosphere, and a window on the left has closed blinds.
Image © closeupfilmcentre.com

The Close-up Film Centre in Shoreditch is a hive of rare film - stuff even seasoned Sight & Sound readers are unlikely to recognise. One of London’s best film clubs (even if it is more of a cinema) Close-Up programme seasons from global directors and cult filmmakers, and screenings happen every day. You can buy tickets to individual screenings, or access their huge film library with Membership. If you’re seeking something utterly unique, give Close-Up Film Centre a try.  

The Close-Up Film Centre is found at 97 Sclater Street, E1 6HR 

The Close-Up Film Centre

A cozy, dimly-lit library features floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with books. The room has brown leather sofas, wooden tables, and chairs. Small red candles on tables add a warm, inviting atmosphere, and a window on the left has closed blinds.
Image © closeupfilmcentre.com

The Close-up Film Centre in Shoreditch is a hive of rare film - stuff even seasoned Sight & Sound readers are unlikely to recognise. One of London’s best film clubs (even if it is more of a cinema) Close-Up programme seasons from global directors and cult filmmakers, and screenings happen every day. You can buy tickets to individual screenings, or access their huge film library with Membership. If you’re seeking something utterly unique, give Close-Up Film Centre a try.  

The Close-Up Film Centre is found at 97 Sclater Street, E1 6HR 


Kino London

A dimly lit room filled with people seated and facing a large projection screen at the front. The screen displays the words KINO LONDON in bold white letters. The atmosphere suggests a film screening or presentation event.
Image © Facebook via @kinoshortfilm

Kino London is one of London’s foremost independent film societies. They put on monthly open-submission short film events (like an open mic night for film), workshops and classes for filmmakers and opportunities for makers to get up on stage and advocate their masterpieces in person. They hold specific networking events, and it’s a fantastic meet-and-greet club for those looking to make contacts with other filmmakers in London. 

Kino London hosts events across the city. 

Kino London

A dimly lit room filled with people seated and facing a large projection screen at the front. The screen displays the words KINO LONDON in bold white letters. The atmosphere suggests a film screening or presentation event.
Image © Facebook via @kinoshortfilm

Kino London is one of London’s foremost independent film societies. They put on monthly open-submission short film events (like an open mic night for film), workshops and classes for filmmakers and opportunities for makers to get up on stage and advocate their masterpieces in person. They hold specific networking events, and it’s a fantastic meet-and-greet club for those looking to make contacts with other filmmakers in London. 

Kino London hosts events across the city. 


London Movie Meet-up

A poster for the London Movie Meetup Group featuring a black background with white text in the center. Surrounding the text are vertical film strips filled with various movie characters and scenes.
Image © meetup.com/moviemeetup/

The London Movie Meet-up Group on MeetUp is a good place to find like-minded cinephiles. The club organise regular trips to the cinema and anyone can join in by RSVPing. They have over 25,000 members (!) so as you can imagine not everyone attends every screening, however there are regular attendees, and its easily London’s largest film society. Other honourable mentions go to Wimbledon Film Club, with really varied fortnightly screenings and the occasional guest speaker and Q&A, and Beckenham’s FilmBox Community Cinema which has a couple of screens showing films soon after the mainstream cinema run.  

The London Movie Meet-up Group attend screenings across the city. 

Wimbledon Film Club screens films at Curzon Wimbledon, 23 The Broadway, SW19 1RE 

FilmBox Community Cinema is found at Langley Park Centre for the Performing Arts, BR3 3BP