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We’re taking a look at the best movie theaters in the world. Determining the most beautiful cinemas is not an easy task, but we’re trying to be objective here. There are just so many cool cinemas around the globe. Historic and ultra-new, intimate and packed with impressive movie theater digital signage, enormous and cozily compact. Here are the most beautiful movie theaters in the world.
1. Las Vegas Sphere
Why: when one thinks about the famous movie theaters, the 2023-opened Las Vegas Sphere isn’t the first place that comes to mind. Nevertheless, the venue is among the most impressive cinemas ever built. Coming here you’re treated to the mind-blowing curving 270-degree screen with 18K resolution. It’s the largest LED screen in the world too. For a truly immersive cinematic experience, screen size plays a crucial role. While movie theaters boast massive displays, those seeking a similar effect at home can explore the largest computer monitor options to enjoy stunning visuals and enhanced viewing quality. The hall is equipped with a custom-built spacial audio system and the screenings are accompanied by the haptic effects.
But Las Vegas Sphere is not your regular neighborhood cinema. Not every film can be shown on its 270-degree screen as doing so requires a special camera with a wider lens. The only movie you can watch there is Darren Aronofsky’s “Postcard from Earth.” The 55-minute movie is part meditative journey around the world, part a shiny showcase of The Sphere’s capabilities. Let’s wait until Christopher Nolan wants to make something for The Sphere.
2. Le Grand Rex, Paris
Why: an icon of Parisian cultural life, Le Grand Rex is among the best movie theaters in the world. Opened in 1932 in the presence of Louis Lumière (aka the father of cinema), it has been a fixture of moviegoing for almost a century.
Today, this movie theater boasts 7 halls (including The Great Hall with 2,700 seats), an interactive Rex Studios experience, and comes with a beautiful Art Deco design. The Grand Rex has undergone multiple renovations over the years with the most recent one being a stunning modern revamp of the Premium Hall.
3. Cinema de Lux Southampton
Why: it’s always great to see movie theaters that use digital signage to make a design statement. That’s the case of Cinema de Lux Southampton. It would be a typical city multiplex with 10 screens save for one fact.
This movie theater features a superb video wall installation that runs through its ceiling. It is curved and formed by 40 screens. Moreover, Cinema de Lux Southampton is packed with digital signage technology starting from the menu board displays in the restaurant to advertising billboards in the lobby area.
4. Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, LA
Why: some movie theaters need no introduction. LA’s Grauman’s Chinese Theatre may be the OG of cinemas simply because it’s an icon of Hollywood and the majority of movie stars walked through its Exotic Revival-style interiors.
Although it opened its doors in 1927, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is a very modern film-watching venue with digital signage menus in the bar, IMAX technology, and 3D capabilities. You may recognize the Grauman’s building from movies like Iron Man 3 and Speed. Also, it was featured in Grand Theft Auto V.
5. Kinepolis-Madrid Ciudad de la Imagen
Why: when a movie theater breaks records, you’ve got to give it the recognition it deserves. Kinepolis Madrid Ciudad de la Imagen is officially the world’s largest megaplex.
The complex has 25 screens, an overall seating capacity of 9,200, and the biggest hall that can accommodate up to 996 people. In other words, it’s a giant of a movie theater. IMAX, ScreenX, 4D, and VIP halls are all there for a better moviegoing experience.
6. Empire, Leicester Square, London
Why: Here is the last of the best movie theaters in the world. There are historic movie theaters. And then there’s Empire, Leicester Square which opened its doors as a variety theater in… 1884. Okay, cinema hasn’t been invented back then, so here’s the venue’s excuse for not showing films in the 19th century. During the 1920s, the building was remodeled to include movie-showing capacities. In the present day, Cineworld-owned Empire, Leicester Square is among the most iconic cinemas in London and has 1,746 capacity, nine halls (called auditoria), and every popular cinema technology featured.
There’s an IMAX screen, 4K projection, and 4DX. Also, the Cineworld acquisition brought digital signage adjustments in 2018. The foyer area was renovated with LED video walls and screens giving the historic interior a more futuristic look.
