The opening of The Oxford Cinema & Café marks a new chapter in Oxford’s cinema scene: a move further towards independent cinema. Of the four central Oxford cinemas – Curzon Westgate, Phoenix Picturehouse, The Ultimate Picture Palace (UPP), and The Oxford Cinema – there is now an even split between independents and franchises. Located on Magdalen Street, the new cinema is in the very heart of central Oxford and, tickets being currently only £4.99 plus an online booking fee, it is in prime position to thrive where, seemingly, the Odeons did not.
Originally known as the Oxford ‘Super’ Cinema, the venue had its grand opening on New Year’s Day, 1924, screening the silent film The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. In 1930, the cinema introduced Oxford to “talkies”, showing The Broadway Melody, which took home the second ever Academy Award for Best Picture. Having undergone countless name changes, including Super Cinema, ABC, Cannon and MGM, the cinema will have been remembered by most as an Odeon. A Grade II-listed building, the venue was vacated by Odeon in 2023, just over a year before the company left Oxford completely by closing their cinema on George Street in January 2025. Whilst the building on George Street is reportedly to be demolished in order to make way for an aparthotel, the Magdalen Street cinema has found a new lease of life.
As is to be expected with the opening of a new business, the cinema has not been without teething problems, primarily regarding sound in the auditoriums. Nevertheless, sitting on the balcony in the quite enormous, theatre-inspired screen one for the first time is an unforgettable experience. A further benefit to the immense scale of the screen is that it boasts approximately 650 seats across both floors, which, given its position tucked away on Magdalen Street, is very impressive.
Given that The Oxford Cinema has only two screens, as does the Phoenix Picturehouse, it is only able to run a limited slate of films. For the most part, the cinema’s film schedule is made up of the latest blockbusters (currently Lilo & Stitch, Karate Kid: Legends, and Ballerina), supported by a few smaller films. Though there is not a massive emphasis on foreign and auteur films, that is not to say that they are neglected. The cinema also holds events, such as a special screening of the drama documentary thriller Comrade Tambo’s London Recruits, followed by a Q&A with the director.
In the modern age of technology, a good app is essential for attracting customers (especially young students). Despite having only recently opened its doors, the cinema already has a very user-friendly app, Oxford Cinema, which can be downloaded on the App Store. It is rare that new apps work exactly as expected, but this appears to be an exception. Notably, however, there is no option to select where you sit, which means that arriving in good time to secure the best seats is a must if a screening is particularly busy. Thankfully, the app provides users with the remaining capacity of the screen, so this should not be a problem.
This is all without mentioning the other side of the business: the café. Quaint, well-furnished, and friendly, the café is the perfect place for the obligatory post-film debrief and Letterboxd review. It is even equipped with chessboards so you can challenge your friends whilst you make your next cinema plans.
So, where does The Oxford Cinema & Café find itself in the tumultuous world of cinema in Oxford? For those who miss the low prices and central location of Odeon George St., this new cinema is perfect. Ticket prices are just as low (if not lower) than the other Oxford cinemas and its position puts it within easy walking distance of most colleges. For those who prefer to support independent cinemas, such as the UPP and the Phoenix Picturehouse, which, although a subsidiary of Cineworld, manages to maintain the impression of independent cinema, The Oxford Cinema is a great new option. Finally, those who frequent the Curzon or venture all the way to the Vue at the Ozone Leisure Park to watch the latest big hits, will find that the new cinema caters to their wishes at a very reasonable price.
In short, Oxford’s newest cinema is certainly worth a visit before the end of term. Open seven days a week, The Oxford Cinema is the perfect place to escape from the stress of exams or the impending long vacation and immerse yourself in film.
