Prince Charles Cinema is a great place for film buffs. Sure, it lacks the many screens and latest releases of the multiplexes, but it makes up for it with style and a genuine love for what it does. It usually has 4 showings a day, consisting of recent quality releases, cult classics and the occasional “Sing-a-long-a”. I saw “Snakes on a plane”..yes, hardly a classic, but utterly made for this cinema. It’s all about creating a feeling of sharing an experience with other audience members, the seating helps with this, the lovers chairs at the back especially. I paid £1 to get in, on their now discontinued £1 Friday night showing. But with films for less than £5 (and even less if you become a member for £10 a year), it’s still a real bargain.

Quentin Tarantino once said that this cinema was all a cheap cinema should be, and he might be right: nestled away a stone’s throw from the multiplexes, here you get cool ‘lovers’ seats in the back two rows, staff that really seem to care about the movies, and every time, it’s gonna be a good selection, even if you may have seen the film a couple of times before. Sounds good? OK, so it’s a bit grubby, but the clincher for me came with the news that on Fridays, everything costs £1. That’s a ticket = £1. Popcorn = £1, Beer = £1. What the hell!? How quickly can you say ‘membership!’?

A great, independent cinema that’s pretty cheap (for the West End anyway!) and shows a lot fo the films a month or two after they came out, which is great if you mis them first time round.

They have some decent, small but interesting festivals here too.

Oh this is what cinemas SHOULD be like. Sure, it’s a little dark and grubby, but that just gives it character. The back two rows are specially designed for couples, so it really takes you back to what cinemas are supposed to be for…smooching on the back row ;)
If you become a member you get great rates on any film you want to see.

loved this place, ok it might seem a little grubby and out of the way but it makes for it in atmosphere. I second ‘Scanner Darkly’, watched ‘Jesse James’ there, awesome!

A one-screen picture house catering for all sorts of tastes. It’s small and friendly and the back 2 rows of seats are for couples (or just very fat people). Just one central block of seats with aisles either side. The best part is the price, and being a member makes it even cheaper - membership is £9 per year. They show 4 or 5 shows per day and will happily add you to their weekly mailing list or they have flyers outside the cinema for that particular week.

Ah, the Prince Charlie. Grubby, but charming, much like its namesake. Hang on… nothing like its namesake, however much I admire his commitment to sustainable farming and organic produce.

It took me some time to discover this scruffy cinema, probably because I’ve always loathed Leicester Square and all who sail in her. So, long story short: the Prince Charles shows new stuff, which is all very well, but the real reason to go is to catch a classic or a second look at a recent quality movie for a knockdown price. Last year I saw the Godfather and A Scanner Darkly there… both classy, both a really good watch, and both for completely different reasons. They do great little seasons with films based on a certain theme, lots of retrospectives of the classics, and (I think) the yearly FrightFest horror weekend is shown there too. Isn’t that enough for you?

Oh yes, and you can take a beer in with you. It’s cinema for grown-ups. Brilliant. But I’m not awarding the final star until they let me smoke.

I just love this cinema right off China Town. It's a landmark in itself and is one of the oldest cinema's in London - there are signs from Leceister Square!

If you want to see a film cheaply this is the place to go. I suggest you become a member because the tickets are even cheaper. The one thing is that the movies are a little old - but they're the best of the best of the new releases. A little artsy and very entertaining.

There is only one screen so you have to know what you want to see as the movies change with every screening.

Check this place out for a film when you're strapped for cash and experience an old movie theatre.

If you are into your movies, London can be frustratingly expensive with prices in town reaching up to £15 or even £18 a ticket. However, just off Leicester square is the Prince Charles cinema. It plays re-runs of recent movies – the smash hits and the independents, about 3 or four weeks after they have come off general release, which is brilliant if you missed something or just couldn’t quite afford it first time around. It also does late night showings of things like The Sound of Music – everyone dresses up like characters from the film and shouts catchphrases – pretty crazy but apparently good fun. They even have season tickets if you get really hooked.

The Prince Charles Cinema is located right next to the big Odeon venues at LeicesterSq. It is really popular amongst musical fans, because there are sing-a-long nights. You can watch your favourite musical f.ex. "The sound of music" and sing your heart out. For everybody who is not so sure about the text: there are subtitles ;). Furthermore the cinema shows movies who are usually low-budget productions, but sometimes you can go and see blockbusters aswell. In case you become a member (membership for one year around 10 pounds) you can go and see the movies for a bargain of 1.50 to 3.50!!!

How this cinema remains a secret I don’t know! For half the going rate, you can see (slightly outdated) films, with a bent towards the more artsy. Lean back in plush velvet chairs, sip at your wine or nibble at your popcorn – this is not one to be missed! With only 4 shows a day and an easy voicemail system to find out what is showing, you can show up to watch the one you missed when it first came out! Ideal when you feel like being out, but hidden from the world – and a bit skint!

Thanks to other reviewers on Qype I decided to try out this cinema. I don’t think I need to repeat the ticket prices: that’s been covered (Thanks!). Personally I thought it was a nice cinema. It’s painted in bright colours and the downstairs bar is decorated with images from modern classics, such as Kill Bill. I think that gives a pretty good idea! Generally my impressions were excellent, though there were a couple of things I found annoying. Firstly they have those toilets where you can’t close the door without performing some intricate manoeuvre around the bowl. Rather annoying when there was a fair amount of free space outside the cubicles. Who designs these things?

Then there were the seats where I sat on the balcony… though these follow a curve that in theory should mean most are pointing nicely straight on to the screen, the whole balcony seems to be at a slant so actually they are all pointing a bit to one side. I doubt most folks would have even noticed, but I have a bad neck and issues with needing to sit straight if I’m going to be sitting for a couple of hours.

Having said that, those seats were lovely. Nice and soft and wide compared to most cinemas. Room to squirm around and get comfortable! The sound system is good too. A few times I looked round as part of the soundtrack apparently came from behind! And the audience is better trained (i.e. quieter) than many cinemas I’ve been in.

Their website is: http://www.princecharlescinema.com/

I love this cinema largely because it is cheap and they show both mainstream films and art house stuff. Their location right in the heart of the West End is great and even though it is a bit shabby inside it is also quite cosy with a tiny little bar down stairs serving alcohol and soft drinks with the usual popcorn and stuff upstairs.

Love the place for many reasons: its central location, great programming (these guys are now getting better and better and you don't even have to wait the odd six months before you can see the film you'd missed or resented paying a tenner for: Mr Brooks and Death Proof are already on!) and last but not least its great prices (expect to pay a maximum fee of £ 4.50).
To cut a long story short, in spite of its repelling name, Prince Charles remains the most affordable and accessible cinema in London.

This has got to one of the best cinematic secrets in London. Coming from South Africa where going to the cinema is rather cheap, I was astounded that you are expected to pay upwards of £12 for a ticket in London! Then I was introduced to the Prince Charles Cinema. Located in Leicester Square, I was surprised to hear that upon becoming a member (only £9 per year!) you are able to see matinee shows for £1.50 and evening shows for £3.00. Non-members pay £3 and £4.50 respectively. What's the catch? Movies are generally about 6-8 weeks behind what's showing at the full price cinemas, but you also get a good mix of commercial and independent films. Plus they have sing along versions of the Sound of Music, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Joseph- absolute winner for a cheap night out!

I love the Prince Charles cinema, not only is it the cheapest cinema in Lecister Square at £3.50 a ticket in the afternoon and £4.50 in the evenings it also shows films which have been in the big cimemas a few months before so it gives you an opportunity to see the films you have missed out on.

You can buy a glass of wine and some popcorn at the shop here also! Oh and there is a great chineese supermarket across the street that have a great selection of teas!