The ultimate guide to Hong Kong's best movie experiences

While nearly every street and cha chaan teng in Hong Kong has been immortalized on film, the city itself can feel like a lackluster place to catch a flick.

With over 50 cinemas in the city, most are uninspiring multiplexes showing a predictable mix of cheesy local comedies, mainland Chinese blockbusters, and Hollywood fluff.

Thankfully, there are some gems out there. Here’s your guide to the most unforgettable movie experiences in Hong Kong.

Budget-friendly cinemas

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Arthouse and indie films

Since opening in 1996, the Broadway Cinematheque has been a hub for cinephiles, showcasing independent films from around the globe. While commercial films have found their way into the lineup in recent years, it remains the go-to venue for discovering rare cinematic gems. Don’t miss their weekly Sunday screenings of international films, a must for any true movie lover.

Not far from here, the Grand Cinema in West Kowloon has become a favorite among movie buffs. Venus Wong, general manager of Ying e Chi, a non-profit promoting indie films, calls it her top commercial cinema in Hong Kong. “There’s always something for me, whether it’s an alternative film or a silly comedy for a good laugh,” she says. With 12 screens, the Grand always has space for quirky movies and film festivals, many of which are hosted here.

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Luxurious movie experiences

The AMC Pacific Place boasts plush leather seats – “the comfiest around,” says Time Out film critic Edmund Lee – along with a bar serving reasonably priced beer and wine.

Vintage cinema

The closure of the Fanling Theatre marked the loss of Hong Kong’s last remaining 1950s movie house – a true gem of its kind. So where can aficionados of vintage movie-going experience go? Amy Chin, a veteran film producer with years of experience in Hong Kong dramas and comedies, swears by the Grand Ocean Cinema, a 1960s relic from the era when theaters boasted massive screens and over a thousand seats. “I love big theaters, and there’s no place like it anymore,” she says. Unfortunately, renovations in the 1990s removed its balcony, stripping away some of its nostalgic charm.

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For true film lovers

Not every great film guarantees box office success, and when commercial cinemas in Hong Kong face struggles, non-profit organizations step in to keep the magic alive. The Hong Kong Film Archive hosts “From Novel to Film,” a series of bi-weekly screenings curated by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society, showcasing classics like “Death in Venice” and Martin Scorsese’s “The Age of Innocence.”

The Agnès b. Cinema at the The Arts Centre offers an ideal space to explore films by some of the world’s most celebrated filmmakers.

Another thrilling option is Club YEC. Every other Friday, Ying e Chi hosts independent Hong Kong filmmakers to showcase their work in a cozy Wan Chai studio. The intimate setting guarantees a chance for lively post-screening discussions. “Some audience members have said it takes them back to the golden era of Hong Kong’s film society screenings, where film critics and enthusiasts would gather,” shares Wong.

Christopher DeWolf is a Hong Kong-based writer and photographer.