The A – Z of Welsh Cinemas Where to Watch Film on a Big Screen in Wales

© CellB, The Magic Lantern, Theatr Clwyd, Theatr Gwaun, Chapter, Savoy Theatre, Monmouth (© David Broadbent)

June 2025

You might be surprised to hear that we have a host of established cinemas in Wales, 80 in fact. Now these come in different shapes and sizes. Some are mixed arts centres offering multi-disciplinary programmes, others are full time independent or commercial cinemas that specialise in film and some have occasional programmes.

We’ve not even got to the community screens yet; there are many more of these to mention (and we’ll come back to that in our next blog) but today we’re expressly talking theatrical.

So, where to begin. Let’s start by explaining that it’s our job at Film Hub Wales to support Welsh cinemas to bring the best UK independent and international films to Welsh communities year-round. We fund, train and advise film exhibitors, offering support where needed. We know a film won’t be seen just because it’s good enough and that’s where cinemas come in. Their job is to think about the audience. Who would enjoy this film, how can they be reached and what impact could the film have on local people.

Welsh cinemas are known for being at the heart of their communities, their eclectic buildings and rich histories. They generally offer much more than movies alone.

The Magic Lantern Cinema

Take the Magic Lantern Cinema in Tywyn, Mid-West Wales, for instance. Having first screened a silent news reel in 1900 as the town’s Assembly Room, the building has evolved into a much-loved, unique, full-time cinema with house band, secret garden, and cocktail bar. Not only that – they also lead events in the rural community such as opening on Christmas day for local people living alone and create employment opportunities for young people in the town (we’re told their team love it so much, they often don’t want to leave!).

Film Hub Wales Member - CellB
CellB

On to the North West of Wales, if you find yourself in Blaenau Ffestiniog, you have to pay a visit to CellB. Based in a converted police station, with two screens and a stunning backdrop of slate mountains, this place is bursting with charisma. Led by Gwallgofiaid, a not-for-profit social enterprise that provides creative training for young people, the site has a hostel, regular gigs and a wood fired pizza oven..

Over in the North East of Wales, we have to mention the impressive renovations at Theatr Clwyd, known as the largest touring theatre provider in Wales. You’ll want to hang out and take in the panoramic views of the town from their new glass-front building, visit their restaurant run by acclaimed chef Bryn Williams and of course, watch a film in their purpose-built cinema opening from July 2025.

We could keep going with this all day… If you’re in South Wales a cinema you can’t miss is The Savoy Theatre in Monmouth.

Savoy Theatre, Monmouth

The oldest working theatre site in Wales, this beautiful grade 2 listed building looks like the cinema that dreams are made of.. Or if you find yourself in Cardiff, there’s Chapter Arts Centre, which has a huge year-round programme of indie film as well as experimental performances, exhibitions and café bar.

Over in West of Wales, there’s Theatr Gwaun in Fishguard. It’s an independent community theatre, supported by a passionate team of volunteers, with cinema, bar and café with a vast selection of events, with the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast just a stone’s throw away.

You could basically map out a journey around Wales, with a cinema on each stop. Sound good? To help with this we’ve put together a full list and a map to help you see where each cinema is. We’ll be highlighting them on our socials, as well as where you can find your nearest festival, film club or community screen.

If you run a cinema and you’re not listed below, this may be because you’re listed as a community screen but if would like to be added (or you would like to be removed from this list), please get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you. Welsh cinemas can also become a member of Film Hub Wales for free and apply for audience development funding as well as accessing training, networking and advice.

Blaenau Gwent

  1. The Market Hall Cinema and Arts Trust, Brynmawr
  2. The Met (Awen Cultural Trust), Abertillery

Bridgend

  1. Blaengarw Workmen’s Hall (Awen Cultural Trust), Garw Valley
  2. Bryngarw House & Country Park (Awen Cultural Trust), Brynmenyn
  3. Grand Pavilion Porthcawl (Awen Cultural Trust) – Opening 2026 – under redevelopment
  4. Maesteg Town Hall (Awen Cultural Trust)
  5. Odeon, Bridgend

Caerphilly

  1. Maxime Blackwood (Picturedrome Electric Theatre Company Ltd)

Carmarthenshire

  1. Brynamman Cinema, Ammanford
  2. Canolfan S4C Yr Egin, Carmarthen
  3. Cross Hands Public Hall & Cinema, The Gwendraeth Valley
  4. Lyric – Theatrau Sir Gar, Carmarthen,
  5. Glowyr (Miners) – Theatrau Sir Gar, Ammanford
  6. Odeon, Llanelli
  7. The Ffwrnes – Theatrau Sir Gar, Llanelli
  8. Vue Carmarthen
  9. Hwb y Gors / Awel Aman Tawe, Ammanford

Cardiff

  1. Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff
  2. Cineworld Cinema, Cardiff
  3. Everyman, Cardiff
  4. Odeon, Cardiff
  5. Showcase Cardiff (Nantgarw)
  6. Vue Cardiff

Ceredigion

  1. Aberystwyth Arts Centre
  2. Commodore Cinema, Aberystwyth
  3. Libanus 1877, Borth
  4. Small World Theatre, Cardigan
  5. Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan

Conwy

  1. Cineworld Llandudno
  2. Theatr Colwyn, Colwyn Bay
  3. TAPE Community Music and Film, Colwyn Bay
  4. Venue Cymru, Llandudno

Denbighshire

  1. Scala Cinema, Prestatyn (Merlin Cinemas)
  2. Vue Rhyl (seeking new management)

Flintshire

  1. The Gaumont Plaza, Flint
  2. Theatr Clwyd, Mold

Gwynedd

  1. CellB, Blaenau Ffestiniog
  2. Galeri Caernarfon
  3. Magic Lantern Cinema, Tywyn
  4. Neuadd Dwyfor, Pwllheli
  5. Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda
  6. PONTIO Sinema / Cinema, Bangor
  7. The Dragon Theatre, Barmouth
  8. Theatr Derek Williams, Bala

Isle of Anglesey

  1. Canolfan Ucheldre Centre, Anglesey
  2. Empire, Holyhead

Merthyr Tydfil

  1. Vue Merthyr

Monmouthshire

  1. Baker Street, Abergavenny (seeking new management)
  2. The Savoy Theatre Monmouth (Monmouth Savoy Trust Ltd)

Neath Port Talbot

  1. Gwyn Hall (Celtic Leisure), Neath
  2. Pontardawe Arts Centre, Lower Swansea Valley
  3. Reel Cinema, Port Talbot

Newport

  1. Cineworld Cinemas, Newport, Spytty
  2. The Riverfront, Newport

Pembrokeshire

  1. Haverhub, Haverfordwest
  2. Palace, Haverfordwest
  3. Theatr Gwaun, Fishguard
  4. Torch Theatre, Pembroke Dock

Powys

  1. Coliseum, Brecon
  2. Hay Castle Trust, Hay on Wye
  3. Regent Cinema, Newtown
  4. Richard Booth’s Bookshop Cinema, Hay on Wye
  5. The Welfare, Ystradgynlais
  6. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon
  7. Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth

 Rhondda Cynon Taf

  1. Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare
  2. Parc & Dare Theatre, Treorchy
  3. Phoenix Ton Pentre (Rhondda Community Business Initiatives)
  4. Y Muni Arts Centre (Awen Cultural Trust), Pontypridd
  5. YMa, Pontypridd

Swansea

  1. La Charette (Gower Heritage Centre), Swansea
  2. Odeon, Swansea
  3. Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea
  4. Vue Swansea

Torfaen

  1. Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall
  2. Vue Cwmbran

 Vale of Glamorgan

  1. Memo Arts Centre Barry
  2. Penarth Pier Pavilion (Vale of Glamorgan Council)

Wrexham

  1. Odeon Wrexham
  2. The Stiwt Theatr, Rhosllannerchrugog

Please check the cinema websites for the latest information.

About Film Hub Wales
Film Hub Wales (FHW) celebrates cinema. We support organisations that screen film, from film festivals to societies and mixed arts centres. Working with over 300 Welsh exhibitors, we aim to bring the best UK and international film to all audiences across Wales and the UK. Since Film Hub Wales set up in 2013, we’ve supported over 347 exciting cinema projects, reaching over 589,000 audience members.

We’re part of a UK wide network of eight hubs which forms the British Film Institute (BFI) Film Audience Network (FAN), made possible thanks to National Lottery funding. Film Hub Wales is managed by Chapter. We also lead Made in Wales, a project celebrating films with Welsh connections. We were also proud to lead on the UK inclusive cinema strategy on behalf of BFI FAN 2017-23.

Film Hub Wales: Website, X (Formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram
Made in Wales: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Made in Wales podcast, YouTube, Letterboxd.

About the BFI Film Audience Network
Supported by National Lottery funding, the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN), is central to the BFI’s aim to ensure the greatest choice of film is available for everyone. Established in 2012 to build wider and more diverse UK cinema audiences for British and international film, FAN is a unique, UK-wide collaboration made up of eight Hubs managed by leading film organisations and venues strategically placed around the country. FAN also supports talent development with BFI NETWORK Talent Executives in each of the English Hubs, with a mission to discover and support talented writers, directors and producers at the start of their careers.

BFI FAN Film Hubs are:

  • Film Hub Midlands is led by Broadway, Nottingham working in partnership with the Birmingham-based Flatpack
  • Film Hub North is led collectively by Showroom Workstation, Sheffield and HOME Manchester
  • Film Hub South East is led by the Independent Cinema Office
  • Film Hub South West is led by Watershed in Bristol
  • Film Hub Scotland is led by Glasgow Film Theatre
  • Film Hub Northern Ireland is led by Queen’s University Belfast
  • Film Hub Wales is led by Chapter in Cardiff
  • Film Hub London is led by Film London

Website

About the BFI
We are a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image. Our mission is:

  • To support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers
  • To grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive
  • To offer the widest range of UK and international moving image culture through our programmes and festivals – delivered online and in venue
  • To use our knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding
  • To work with Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK’s screen industries

Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter.
The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Jay Hunt.
Website, Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter)

About Chapter

Chapter is an international centre for contemporary arts and culture, rooted in the heart of Cardiff, Wales. Established by artists Christine Kinsey and Bryan Jones and writer Mik Flood in 1971 to celebrate experimentation and radical thought, it’s been a catalyst for creativity and critical thinking ever since.

Chapter is a hub for the production and presentation of world-class, inventive and compelling work. Their gallery commissions and produces exhibitions of the very best in national and international art. Their theatre spaces are a platform for experimental and thought-provoking plays, dance, music, live art plus so much more. Their cinemas offer independent and challenging films alongside a range of unique festivals and events, and they bring more films, to more people, in more places through Film Hub Wales.

Alongside the core programme, they’re also home to more than 50 artists and creative companies who are based in their studios. From award-winning animators and film production companies to artists, designers and photographers, and bespoke art framers, print and recording studios, the creative community are at the heart of everything they do.

Their programme and community come together in an award-winning Caffi Bar that seats around 120 people and is a great place to meet up with friends, find a quiet spot to work away from home, or tuck into freshly prepared, locally sourced food and drink.

Outdoors, Chapter are proud to work with Canton Community Gardeners who nurture their green spaces and share their knowledge through outreach work with schools and local communities. They also look after their beautiful bees!

Many people visit to attend the range of exciting classes, workshops and events that are brought to you by different local businesses every day. Try your hand at printmaking, Lindy Hop, Tae Kwando, ballet, tap, music for babies, youth orchestra and so much more, in the inclusive atmosphere of Chapter’s relaxed venue. They also offer a range of unique, low-cost spaces for hire if you’re looking for an unusual film location, accessible venue for a conference or meeting, or somewhere to celebrate a special occasion.

Everyone’s welcome! Croeso i bawb!
Website, Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), Instagram

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