Top 5 Baby-Friendly Film Screenings in Manchester

Enjoying special big screenings for mums and dads, guardians, and their toddlers, in reassuring and comfortable environments for carers with little ones. Some of them even come with free-of-charge tickets for the baby. Here are some of our favourite Baby-Friendly Film screenings in the city of Manchester:

By Sam Waller | Updated Mar 27 2024

A brightly lit cinema entrance with neon signage reading Central Cinema. The interior is bathed in pink light, and a couple of people can be seen walking up a staircase inside. A digital poster screen is on the left wall and outdoor tables and chairs are in the foreground.

Whilst there’s all manner of groups, activities and events for babies to enjoy… it might be said that there’s not much out there for the parents. Luckily a fair few cinemas now put on ‘baby screenings’ or baby- friendly nights giving parents a chance to get out to the silver screen, without having to organise a baby-sitter.

Each cinema does things slightly differently, but generally the lights are dimmed instead of fully switched off, and the sound isn’t quite as loud. Put simply, it’s a bit more relaxed, and no one will mind if there’s a bit of noise or you have to scramble for a pot of mashed banana halfway through a crucial scene. There’s often no trailers or adverts either, so be sure to get there on time if you want to see the start of the film. It’s also worth knowing that these are usually only for babies who are 12 months and under — but most cinemas who do baby screenings also do similar styled family screenings too.

Now we’ve got all that out of the way, here’s a few baby screening options and cinemas that provide baby-friendly movie nights.

HOME

An empty movie theater with red and a few orange seats is shown. The theater has a staircase with railing on the left, small lights along the aisles, and dim overhead lighting. The screen is off-camera, facing the seats. — Image © homemcr.org

2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN

HOME, in the centre of Manchester (just down the road from Oxford Road train station), regularly puts on baby-friendly cinema screenings; tickets are priced at the regular matinee prices, with no charge for baby. The cinema will be set up in the same ways as HOME‘s relaxed screenings for your comfort. Screenings include films from festivals, seasonal programming and new releases (yay). HOME also make appropriate adjustments to make the experience as convenient and comfortable for yourself and your baby as it can be. With lower volumes, dimmed lights and no adverts or trailers. There are high chairs, hot water for bottles and baby changing facilities.

All films for Baby Friendly screenings will be certificates U / PG / 12A. Prams/strollers can be stored in the cinema foyer.

Click here for the Cinema programming schedule.

Toddler Club at Everyman Cinema

A geometric background with diagonal black and white lines. In the foreground, six colorful blocks spell out BABY in large letters, with an additional pink block displaying E on top and another pink block with club on the side. — Image © everymancinema.com/baby-club

ABC Building, 23 Quay St, Manchester M3 4AS & 74-78 George St, Altrincham WA14 1RF

| From 9am

Everyman Cinemas are swanky, sophisticated and comfy - imagine if an interior designer helped you build a cinema in your own mansion (we, know, but imagine!)

Every Friday and Saturday morning is Toddler Club, for adults and children from ages 1 to 5; they screen new releases and old classics (including many a childhood favourite), and they’ll even bring you a warm drink and a slice of cake, all included in the price of your ticket -one ticket includes two seats - one for you and one for the little one!

For information on screenings, click here for Manchester St Johns or here for Altricham

Baby-Friendly Screenings at The Light

A young child with blond hair and a blue sweater sits in a theater, cheerfully waving. The background features unfocused theatergoers and warm, dim lighting from overhead bulbs, contributing to a cozy atmosphere. — Image © motherandbaby.co.uk

REDROCK, Unit 10, Bridgefield Street, Stockport, SK1 1SA

The Light in Stockport always invites parents and babies under one year old (and only them - anyone else will be denied entry to these special screenings) to enjoy special baby-friendly screenings of appropriate new releases. The sound is lowered and the lights are only dimmed to makes baby's first cinema experience comfortable.

The venue is breat-feeding friendly and has baby changing facilities - plus, everyone is in the same situation, so you need not feel awkward about tepping out should you need to. There is a small area at the front of the screens for prams and pushchairs but space is limited, and you may need to leave them outside of the screen in a private room.

Guests with a valid ticket can also enjoy a free refill on any fountain or hot drink.

Click here for more information

ODEON Newbies

A young child, with red hair and wearing a plaid shirt, sits on an adult's lap in a crowded theater. The child looks wide-eyed and surprised, holding a piece of popcorn. Other audience members are visible in the background, blurred and focused on the stage. — Image © thelexicinema.co.uk

235 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN

ODEON cinemas provide special screenings for children up to the age of 2 and parents/carers; lowered volumes and dimmed lights are, of course, part of the experience, and loud babies are allowed!

There are always members of staff on hand to help you with any of your needs.

To find out more about screenings click here.

CINEBABIES, Cineworld

A colorful sign reads Cineworld Family Favourites with vibrant, multicolored lettering on a black background with splashes of color. Below, there are four cartoon characters shaped like a star, a triangle, the letter H, and a chair, all smiling and playful. — Image © cineworld.co.uk

Parrs Wood Entertainment Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 5PG

Cineworld in Didsbury offers a selection of film screenings dedicated to parents and babies. With the lights dimmed, sounds lowered, storage facilities for pushchairs, the aim is to provide a stress-free setting and free entry for babies under 18 months; your evening out with the little one is sorted!

Click here for information on Cinebabies screenings.