The Lower Mainland is home to dozens of movie venues. In Vancouver there are Cineplex and Landmark theatres, an IMAX Theatre and independent cinemas.
THEATRES CLOSED TEMPORARILY
Beginning in the spring, cinemas in the Metro Vancouver area were closed for a number of weeks due to orders by the government to avoid gatherings of over 50 people. In mid-May the government announced that theatres could reopen and at that time most of them did.
Since around the third weekend in November, however, movie theatres have had to close down temporarily once again. Government restrictions have been extended indefinitely as of February 5th in 2021, so theatres remain closed for the time being.
Information in this article includes the following topics:
What Theatres Are Open? | What Movies are in Town? | Theatre Locations | $2.99 Saturday Movie Deals | Summer Outdoor Movies | Movie Tips | Other Information
Click on any of the above links to jump to a specific topic, or continue reading to learn all about movies, cinemas and film-viewing opportunities in the Lower Mainland.
Movie Theatres in the Lower Mainland
There are dozens of places to see films in the Vancouver area including the Vancity Theatre which is home to the Vancouver International Film Festival. There are also various chain and independent theatres, as well as numerous places to see Free Outdoor Movies in the summer.
What Theatres Are Open?
As of late October, 2020, most Lower Mainland cinemas were open, but not all of them. The OMNIMAX Theatre at Science World, for example, was closed.
Although most cinemas had been open up until around the third weekend in November, 2020, after that time most have since closed back down again, at least temporarily. In late November the provincial government made a series of announcements. The new orders included all movie theatres having to shut down for at least the period between November 22nd and December 8th. The shutdown was then extended until February 5th, 2021.
Up until their November closure, Hollywood 3 Cinemas had resumed operations. Their locations in Surrey and Pitt Meadows reopened their doors on June 12th, as did the Caprice Cinema in White Rock.
Since July 3rd, Landmark Cinemas locations in New Westminster and Surrey had also been operating. Tickets were only $2.99 on Tuesdays and $5 on all other days in July, but prices had since returned to normal. Recently it cost $14.50 for general admission.
All Cineplex theatres had also reopened across the Lower Mainland as of the end of August 2020. As of November 24th they are once again all closed.
For the most up-to-date details about the status of major Lower Mainland cinemas, see the Cineplex, Landmark Theatres and Hollywood 3 Cinemas websites.
Recommended Movies and What’s in Town?
Movies are always coming and going. Some are in town for a long time, and others are gone before you know it!
Below were some of the recommended movies currently and/or recently in Lower Mainland Theatres (as of November 22nd, 2020). All of the ones we list have generally pretty good reviews.
Note: As of November 22nd, all movie cinemas are CLOSED due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hopefully they’ll be able to reopen soon (although not before it’s safe).
- Mank – a biography about the making of the Citizen Kane movie. (PG)
- The Santa Clause – a comedy about a man who accidentally makes Santa fall off his roof and is then recruited to take his place. (G)
- Freaky – a comedy horror movie about a teenage girl who switches bodies with a serial killer. (14A)
- Ammonite – a biography set in the 1800s about a paleontologist and a young woman who moves in with her.(18+)
- Hillbilly Elegy – a drama movie about a Yale graduate moving back to his hometown. (14A)
- Wolfwalkers – an animated adventure movie about a young hunter who goes with her father to destroy the last wolf pack in Ireland. (PG)
- Let Him Go – a Western crime film about a retired sheriff and his wife who try to find their long-lost grandson. (14A)
- Come Play – a horror movie about a mysterious creature that uses a boy’s smartphone and tablet to enter the human world. (14A)
- The Empty Man – a crime horror movie about an ex-cop who tracks down a missing girl and, in the process, uncovers a group trying to summon a supernatural entity. (14A)
- Monkey Beach – a Canadian supernatural mystery film about an Indigenous girl who returns home and must save her brother who is lost at sea. (PG)
- Honest Thief – an action movie about a bank robber who turns himself in only to be double-crossed by two FBI agents.(PG)
- Possessor Uncut – a horror movie about a secretive organization that uses brain implant technology to drive them to commit assassinations for high-paying clients. (18A)
- The War With Grandpa – a comedy about a young boy who is upset he has to share his room with his grandpa. (G)
- Tenet – an action movie about a CIA operative recruited for a mission to stop World War 3. (PG)
- The Spongebob Movie: Sponge On The Run – an animated comedy about the adventures of Spongebob Squarepants and his friend Patrick after Spongebob’s pet snail, Gary, is stolen. (G)
To check out movie reviews and see how different films are doing at the box office, see Rotten Tomatoes.
Additional educational films at the OMNIMAX Theatre at Science World include the following (as of the fall of 2020):
- Superpower Dogs
- Apollo 11: First Steps Edition
- Great Bear Rainforest
Lower Mainland Theatre Locations
There are movie theatres in or near virtually every major community in the Lower Mainland including (but not limited to) the following locations:
Vancouver | Burnaby | Richmond | Surrey | North Shore | Fraser Valley | Other Communities
(Note: Theatre details are subject to change.)
Vancouver Movie Theatres
- Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas – at 88 West Pender in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
- Parking in the mall is free while watching a movie
- Cineplex Cinemas Marine Gateway and VIP – at 452 South West Marine Drive.
- This theatre has 11 screens including 3 VIP ones featuring reserved and extra-comfy seating for adults as well as delivery of food and beverages to your seat.
- The Cinematheque – at 1131 Howe Street.
- Dunbar Theatre – at 4555 Dunbar Street.
- Fifth Avenue Cinemas (Cineplex) – at 2110 Burrard Street.
- This theatre is for ages 19+ which means valid photo ID is required.
- FlyOver Canada – a multi-dimensional “flying experience” theatre at Canada Place where you get to soar over the country from coast to coast.
- OMNIMAX Theatre – the giant IMAX Theatre at Science World.
- Films here are on a giant screen and typically last for about 45 minutes. Admission excluding access to Science World exhibits costs about $12 per person.
- The Park Theatre (Cineplex) – at 3440 Cambie Street.
- Rio Theatre – at 1660 East Broadway (by Commercial Drive).
- Scotia Theatre (Cineplex) – at 900 Burrard Street in downtown Vancouver.
- Vancity Theatre – at 1181 Seymour Street and home to the Vancouver International Film Festival with films playing all year.

Burnaby Movie Theatres
- Cineplex Cinemas Metropolis – at 4700 Kingsway in Burnaby at the Metropolis Metrotown mall.
Richmond Movie Theatres
- SilverCity Riverport Cinemas – at 14211 Entertainment Way in Richmond.
Surrey Movie Theatres
- Cineplex Cinemas Strawberry Hill – at 12161-72nd Avenue in Surrey.
- This massive 12-screen theatre features reserved luxury seats that recline (which is awesome)!
- Landmark Guildford – at 15051 101st Avenue in Surrey.
- Hollywood 3 Surrey – at 7125-138 Street in Surrey.
- Note: General admission here is only about $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and children, and $4 at Matinees and on Tuesdays.
North Shore Movie Theatre
- Cineplex Cinemas Park Royal – a brand new movie theatre at Park Royal Mall in West Vancouver.
Fraser Valley Movie Theatres
- Cineplex Cinemas Abbotsford – at 3122 Mt. Lehman Road.
- This 11-screen theatre features 3 screens with extra-comfy seats that recline and are reserved for adults only.
- Galaxy Cinemas Chilliwack – an 8-screen theatre at 8249 Eagle Landing Parkway.
- Cineplex Cinemas Langley – a massive 19-screen theatre (including one IMAX theatre) at #20090 91A Avenue in Langley.
- SilverCity Mission Cinemas – a large 12-screen theatre at the Junction Plaza at 32555 London Avenue in Mission.
- Twilight Drive-In – at 3350 260 Street (at the Fraser Highway) in Langley. This is Metro Vancouver’s only drive-in theatre.

Movie Theatres in Other Communities
- Cineplex Cinemas Coquitlam – a massive 20-screen theatre at 170 #20090 91A Avenue.
- The theatre includes VIP screens with extra-comfy seats for adults.
- Cineplex Odeon Meadowtown Cinemas – a 10-screen theatre at #410 19800 Lougheed Highway in Pitt Meadows.
- Hollywood 3 Cinemas – at 19190 Lougheed Highway in Pitt Meadows.
- Note: General admission here is only about $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and children, and $4 at Matinees and on Tuesdays.
- Caprice White Rock – at 2381 King George Boulevard in Surrey.
- Rialto White Rock – at 732 152 Street White Rock.
- Landmark Cinemas New Westminster – at 390-800 Carnarvon Street by the New Westminster SkyTrain Station.
Saturday Movie Deals at Cineplex Theatres
Family Favourites Movies cost just $2.99 at select Cineplex movie theatres at 11 o’clock on Saturday mornings throughout most of the year.
Movies that showed (or were going to be shown) in the spring of 2020 are listed below. Most were cancelled, however, because of COVID-19. The cheap Saturday movies will likely start back up again in September (but with details to be confirmed).
- March 7th, 2020 – Missing Link
- March 14th, 2020 – Arctic Dogs
- March 21st, 2020 – The Addams Family
- March 28th, 2020 – Paw Patrol Double Bill: Ready Race Rescue & Mighty Pups
- April 4th, 2020 – Space Jam
- April 11th, 2020 – Hop
- April 18th, 2020 – Dolittle
- April 25th, 2020 – Jumanji: The Next Level
- May 2nd, 2020 – Nanny McPhee Returns
- May 9th, 2020 – Jumanji: The Next Level
- May 16th, 2020 – Cats
- May 23rd, 2020 – Dolittle
- May 30th, 2020 – Little Women
Note: Film details may vary. Click Family Favourites Movies for the most up-to-date details.
Participating Cheap Saturday Venues
Lower Mainland Cineplex theatres participating in the Family Favourites Movies program usually include the following (although details may change and not all theatres participate each week):
- Cineplex Cinemas Abbotsford – at 3122 Mt. Lehman Road.
- Galaxy Cinemas Chilliwack – at 8249 Eagle Landing Parkway.
- Cineplex Cinemas Coquitlam – at 170 #20090 91A Avenue.
- Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas – at 88 West Pender in Vancouver.
- Cineplex Cinemas Langley – at #20090 91A Avenue in Langley.
- Cineplex Odeon Park and Tilford – at 200-333 Brooksbank Avenue in North Vancouver.
- Cineplex Odeon Meadowtown Cinemas – at #410 19800 Lougheed Highway in Pitt Meadows.
- Cineplex Cinemas Metropolis – at 4700 Kingsway in Burnaby.
- SilverCity Riverport Cinemas – at 14211 Entertainment Way in Richmond.
- Cineplex Cinemas Strawberry Hill – at 12161-72nd Avenue in Surrey.
Click Family Favourites Movies for tickets and further details.
Summer Outdoor Movies
In July and August numerous outdoor movies take place at Metro Vancouver parks, community centres and municipal plazas.
Free summer films take place at Canada Place, Stanley Park and various other venues. Click Summer Movies for details.
Outdoor movies also take place at the Twilight Drive-In Theatre in Langley during most months of the year. They aren’t free though, and most people watch from their cars.

Movie Tips
Below are some suggestions to help you make the most out of your cinema movie-watching experience.
TIP #1: If you can avoid it, never sit in the very front row (or even the first couple of rows at most theatres) unless you don’t mind getting a strained neck and eyeballs. Even at cinemas with fancy seats that recline, the very front seats aren’t so nice to watch from.
TIP #2: The best place to sit when watching a 3D movie is in the centre of the theatre in the back half of the movie theatre.
TIP #3: Movies are nice to watch on the big screen, and usually the bigger the screen the better. Many venues though have multiple theatre rooms with some being smaller than others. At cinemas where you can reserve your seat in advance, you can get a rough idea of the screen size by the number of seats available in the room. The more seats you see in the theatre layout, the bigger the screen will likely be.
TIP #4: Try not to have high expectations, especially with films that you have heard good things about. If you go with low expectations, you’ll more often than not be pleasantly surprised. If you go expecting a film to be 4 stars and excellent, and it turns out to only be “good”, you might feel slightly disappointed.
Dollar-Saving Advice
Below are some suggestions on how to save money when watching movies on the big screen.
TIP #5: Go on a Tuesday if you can because on cheap Tuesdays you can save as much as 40% off regular ticket prices.
TIP #6: Most years, starting in mid to late November until towards the end of December, Cineplex offers bonuses to people buying gift cards. In a typical year if you purchase a $50 gift card you get coupons for a couple of free movies and free popcorn, which is a great deal worth stocking up on. Note though that the coupons for free stuff usually have to be used between January and February of the following year, but the gift cards are good indefinitely.
TIP #7: Some movie theatres, like Hollywood Cinemas in Surrey and Pitt Meadows, cost half the price or less than some of the big chain movie theatres. They aren’t as fancy as some places, but the price is right!
Other Information
Check out the following for other related information and things to do in the Lower Mainland:
- Vancouver Rainy Day Activities
- Festivals & Events Calendar
- Lower Mainland’s Top 100 Places
- Vancouver for Children
- Entertainment in Vancouver
- Shows & Entertainment Calendar
- Vancouver International Film Festival
- Vancouver Drive-In Theatres