Guide
Going to the cinema in the UK
A short guide for a first visit, or for a visit with friends from abroad: language and subtitles, age ratings, tickets and independent cinemas.
Language and subtitles
Films are shown in their original language: an English-language film is in English, and a foreign-language film is normally in its original language with English subtitles. Some cinemas list subtitled, audio-described or autism-friendly screenings separately; Evenitto marks screenings with English subtitles ENGLISH, as it does films in English.
A few children's films from abroad have a dubbed version. If a film is in both versions, check the version on the cinema's ticket page before you buy.
Age ratings
Films carry an age rating from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), which runs from U through to 18 and R18. U is suitable for all ages. A 12A film is not generally suitable for children under 12, who can only go with an adult. A 15 is not suitable for children under 15, and nobody under 18 may see an 18 at the cinema. PG stands for parental guidance.
Check the rating on the cinema's ticket page before you take children: the children's page on Evenitto lists family and animation films, and the rating is the cinema's.
Tickets and seats
Many cinemas let you pick your seat when you buy. Tap a time on Evenitto to go to the cinema's own ticket page.
The time listed is the start of the programme. Cinemas often show adverts and trailers first, so the film itself begins later.
Independent and arthouse cinemas
Besides the multiplex chains such as Cineworld and Vue, the UK has smaller cinemas with a programme of independent, documentary and foreign-language films, often with events. Picturehouse, for one, describes its cinemas as neighbourhood cinemas that show mainstream, family, independent, documentary and foreign-language films and live opera and theatre broadcasts.
Independent and arthouse cinemas are listed with the others on Evenitto, and each one links to its own page.
One-off screenings
Besides new releases, cinemas show one-off screenings: opera and ballet from London and New York, theatre broadcasts, sneak previews and film festivals. They have their own page.
