A cinema in Bradford has been crowned among the greatest in the UK by The Telegraph due to its unique “curved” screen.
Pictureville, found inside the city’s National Science and Media Museum was praised for being a “film nerd heaven”.
Introducing its best-named cinema guide, the publisher wrote: “To combat a mountain of debt that piled up during the pandemic, the embattled Cineworld chain is considering closure for around a quarter of the 100 UK cinemas it holds. The company will be aiming to negotiate rent reductions at a further 50 sites, as part of a radical restructuring to stay alive.”
It added: “It spells grim news for the 25 sites that are likely to go, which could leave certain suburbs or whole towns without a cinema at all. But in other ways, the theatrical experience for British filmgoers is showing green shoots again at long last. Very healthy grosses for Inside Out 2 and Despicable Me 4 show that families are coming back to the cinema in droves – not just the young adults plus elders who made Barbenheimer a phenomenon.
“The day that we run low on great places to watch films will truly be a sad one. But, it’s a way off. Hundreds of cinemas around the country are eager for this new footfall – some new, some as old as the hills. All have their bespoke charms and different programming philosophies. We’ve scoured Google Maps, heeded recommendations, and plucked 20 of the best.”
You can see all the UK’s best cinemas here.
Why is Pictureville in Bradford among the UK’s best cinemas?
The Telegraph explained: “Film nerd heaven here, inside Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum.
“Thanks to how deeply curved and louvred it is, the screen is one of very few that have ever been equipped to show the ultra-widescreen, 3-strip Cinerama process popularised in the 1950s and 1960s.
“As recently as 2023, the most famous Cinerama film, the epic western How the West Was Won (1962), was screened here.
“And indeed, competing sites in Seattle and Hollywood were forced to close during the pandemic, making Pictureville’s credentials truly unique.”
Why is Pictureville in Bradford closed?
Unfortunately, if you want to visit Pictureville at Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum (also now declared one of the UK’s best cinemas), you will have to wait a little longer.
This is while “RAAC investigations and remedial works continue”, according to the museum’s website.
The IMAX cinema will also “not be operational” during the closure.
Have you been to Pictureville inside Bradford's National Science and Media Museum? (Image: NQ)
Recommended reading:
- Cinema film season at new venue while its Media Museum home remains closed
- Excitement as Bradford's Cubby Broccoli cinema screen reopens after a year
- Is Cineworld Unlimited membership worth it? I decided to find out
However, those who have previously visited Pictureville have given it a 4.6/5 rating from 131 reviews on Google Reviews.
One person shared: “Absolutely my favourite cinema! Excellent projection and sound. Easy to book specific seats online or in person and very good prices. Great seats - always a good audience and atmosphere too. Comfy bar with hot and cold drinks and snacks. Friendly, knowledgeable, helpful staff. Clean and tidy throughout. Plus it's the world's only Cinerama screen! World class events often hosted here.”
Another said: “Went to see Reality Winner. Really engaging and interesting film about FBI interrogation of someone facing a moral dilemma. Glad Pictureville shows such important films.”
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