The best: Alternative and independent cinemas around Manchester

The centrepiece of Stockport’s Redrock development, The Light comprises twelve spacious yet intimate screens with capacities from 17 to 42, decadently relaxing recliner armchairs and the opportunity to book private viewings for the latest releases. Alongside a unique cinema experience, The Light features several street food vendors, bowling, a retro arcade, karaoke and more.

Sat low and unassuming on the southern edge of Spinningfields, the nation’s favourite Golden Age cinema experience offers new releases, silver screen classics and even live broadcasts across several elegantly appointed art deco screens, all of which feature plush two-seater sofas and personal tables, while swapping flimsy tubs of watery Pepsi for glasses of smooth, bold merlot and frost-centred nacho cheese for slices of freshly made pizza.

A short walk from Albert Square, the grand hotel famous for Manchester’s most-Instagrammed infinity pool features a cosy and characteristically beautiful screening room with a range of exclusive packages available, from seasonal showings paired with themed cocktails to a dizzying variety of private hire options which can include cocktails, three-course meals and wine cellar access.

Equal parts restaurant, bar, workspace, party hotspot and award-winning hotel, Ducie Street Warehouse also naturally contains a 36-seat ‘Mini Cini’ which regularly screens a range of cult classics, rom-coms, kids’ films and even dog-friendly movies, as well as special events like the immersive Whiskey Cinema Experience.

Considered the centre of Manchester’s unique artistic biome, HOME’s deserved reputation for world-class cultural programming stems partly from an eclectic, ever-changing slate of acclaimed international films which play across five screens, alongside a selection of classics and new indie releases.

Part of a small network of lovingly rejuvenated cinemas including Wilmslow’s Rex and Belper’s Ritz, The Savoy offers an affordable, charming and community-oriented alternative to the Everyman experience in a rich, romantically furnished 1920s screening room with armchairs, sofas, personal lamps and wine by the bottle and a regular schedule of brand new releases.

Described as ‘the home of cult films, video games and cool nerd stuff in Manchester’, Cultplex (formerly Chapeltown Picture House) screens a delightful array of sleeper hits, sci-fi classics and more in an achingly cool cinema room with unreserved seating, a snack bar and the unmissable opportunity to eat at GRUB before the movie starts.

Set in the fantastic Grade II listed Leigh Spinners Mill, Leigh Film Factory offers state-of-the-art cinema technology set in a cozy auditorium boasting 110 comfortable IMAX seats.

Chorlton Film Institute recently brought its pop-up cinema back to St Clement’s Church.

The Guerrilla Cinema group is committed to making art house film accessible in and around Chorlton, running on a no-membership basis.

After showing films for 13 years, the not-for-profit was forced into a 3-year hiatus due to the pandemic. However, the group are now back in the South Manchester suburb on the third Tuesday of every month. When the film is over, everyone’s also invited to The Horse and Jockey pub to discuss and debrief.