Fresh popcorn, comfortable seats and a big, clear screen all go into making a great cinema experience for film fans – but there are some venues that really push the boat out. 

The best cinemas in the world have been revealed in Time Out’s latest list, curated by a team of local experts, as well as top directors like Pedro Almodóvar, Paul Thomas Anderson, Sean Baker and Mia Hansen-Løve.

Within the ultimate guide, three cinemas in the UK and Ireland make the top 10, but one in Los Angeles takes the crown.

From Berlin to America, here are the greatest cinemas across the globe. 

1. TCL Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles

TCL Chinese Theatre is a Hollywood landmark boasting a radiant red curtain, grandiose golden columns and dazzling starburst on the ceiling

TCL Chinese Theatre is a Hollywood landmark boasting a radiant red curtain, grandiose golden columns and dazzling starburst on the ceiling.

Located in LA, it manages to make every screening special and Time Out describes the venue as ‘the best place in the world to watch a new movie’.

The historic cinema opened back in 1927 and has since solidified its place in the Hollywood movie scene.  

2. The Stella Cinema Rathmines, Dublin

Glitzy, luxurious and glamorous – The Stella Cinema has it all. Guests can enjoy the latest film while sinking into leather chairs with footstools, lit up by retro lamps

Glitzy, luxurious and glamorous – The Stella Cinema has it all. Guests can enjoy the latest film while sinking into leather chairs with footstools, lit up by retro lamps. 

The venue’s auditorium was previously a ballroom and dance hall, and it still boasts an impressive cove ceiling.

Cinemagoers can sit on two levels – the balcony or first-floor – and have the choice between armchairs, two seater sofas or even double beds. 

3. Film Forum, New York

Another American gem, Film Forum is an independent, non-profit cinema open 365 days a year

Another American gem, Film Forum is an independent, non-profit cinema open 365 days a year. 

It offers a range of screenings, including American indie premieres, foreign art films, and even special programming.

The quirky venue has been open for half a century and first welcomed film enthusiasts back in 1970.

4. BFI Southbank, London

Tucked away underneath a bridge, this unique venue is described by Time Out as a ‘Brutalist gem’ and ‘the centre of film in the UK’

Tucked away underneath a bridge, this unique venue is described by Time Out as a ‘Brutalist gem’ and ‘the centre of film in the UK’.

It boasts a film library and exhibition area as well as four screening rooms for movie lovers to delve into creations from over the years. 

Despite its impressive impact on the cinema industry, BFI was voted ‘Britain’s ugliest building’ by Daily Mail readers back in 1967, when it first opened. 

5. New Beverly Cinema, LA

American filmmaker Quentin Tarantino’s cinema is a single-screen venue that only shows 35mm prints

American filmmaker Quentin Tarantino’s cinema is a single-screen venue that only shows 35mm prints. 

Many of its screenings are from Quentin’s personal collection and there is always a range of films to choose from. 

Notable directors sometimes visit to catch a film themselves, and visitors are asked to follow a ban on mobile phones. 

6. Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski, Amsterdam

Previously named as one of the most beautiful cinemas in the world, the Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski was opened in 1921 by Abraham Tuschinski, a Jewish man who had moved from Poland

Previously named as one of the most beautiful cinemas in the world, the Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski was opened in 1921 by Abraham Tuschinski, a Jewish man who had moved from Poland. 

According to Time Out, he wanted the venue to be ‘grandiose as a temple and beautiful as a palace’.

Sadly, Abraham died in Auschwitz but his impressive cinema continues to impress movie enthusiasts today. 

7. Cine Doré, Madrid

Cine Doré offers two indoor screens as well as a courtyard that is used to show films in the cinema

On the outside, this notable cinema boasts a decorated salmon-coloured front and inside, houses the Spanish Film Archive.

Cine Doré offers two indoor screens as well as a courtyard that is used to show films in the cinema. 

Annual passes can be purchased for just €40 (£35) or if you wanted to visit as a one-off, single tickets cost only €3 (£2.60).

8. Prince Charles Cinema, London 

Located in the bustling Leicester Square, Prince Charles Cinema is an independent venue offering a range of classics

Located in the bustling Leicester Square, Prince Charles Cinema is an independent venue offering a range of classics. 

The iconic establishment opened in 1962 as a live theatre before becoming a cinema in the mid-sixties. 

It has been massively praised by celebrities and those in the film business over the years, including Saltburn director Emerald Fennell. 

9. Music Box Theatre, Chicago

Music Box Theatre’s fully-working organ, played by organist Denis Scott for silent films and special screenings, impressed Time Out

First opening back in 1929, this cinema combines Italian and Spanish architecture and projects dreamy clouds across the auditorium ceiling. 

Music Box Theatre’s fully-working organ, played by organist Denis Scott for silent films and special screenings, impressed Time Out. 

10. Cineteca Nacional de México, Mexico City

Over in Mexico, the Cineteca Nacional de México rounds off the top 10 venues around the world

Over in Mexico, the Cineteca Nacional de México rounds off the top 10 venues around the world. 

It was originally built in 1982 and boasts 10 screening rooms.

Throughout the year, the cinema hosts film-related talks, free outdoor screenings and even does special snacks including jalapeño butter on popcorn. 

11. Grand Rex, Paris

Dating back to 1932, Grand Rex in Paris seats 2,700 guests in its great hall spread across three tiers

Dating back to 1932, Grand Rex, Paris, seats 2,700 guests in its great hall, spread across three tiers. 

Its dazzling ceiling stands almost 100-feet high and is decorated with starry lights. 

The cinema even occasionally offers a famous water and light show at its Féerie des Eaux fountain.

12. Eden Théâtre, La Ciotat

One of the oldest cinemas in the world, the Eden Théâtre was built in 1889 and originally served as a music hall and theatre, before screening films ten years later

One of the oldest cinemas in the world, the Eden Théâtre was built in 1889 and originally served as a music hall and theatre, before screening films ten years later. 

It is now a listed building and in 2013 underwent a whopping £5.5m refurbishment. 

Visitors can enjoy sinking into velvet seats and strolling across the cinema’s black marble and oak flooring. 

13. Village East by Angelika, New York

Another American venue, Village East was built back in 1925 and offers a range of limited-release screenings as well as gems from overseas

Another American venue, Village East was built back in 1925 and offers a range of limited-release screenings as well as gems from overseas. 

It boasts traditional cinema signs above its main entrance and inside, visitors can gaze at its ornately-decorated gold ceilings from red velvet seats. 

14. Kino International, Berlin

Film enthusiasts in Berlin can head to Kino International, which made 14th place on Time Out’s list

Film enthusiasts in Berlin can head to Kino International, which made 14th place on Time Out’s list. 

The venue reopened last month after 18 months and is now welcoming visitors again into its post-war modernist walls.

15. Picturehouse Central, London

Another London-based venue, Picturehouse Central can be found in Piccadilly

Another London-based venue, Picturehouse Central can be found in Piccadilly. 

Its ceilings are adorned with hundreds of hanging lightbulbs above a grand, red tiled staircase. 

Visitors have the choice between seven screens, and the cinema is also home to a gallery space and exclusive, members-only bar. 

16. Cinema Modernissimo, Bologna 

Time Out describes this cinema as ‘one of Bologna’s best kept secrets’

Time Out describes this cinema as ‘one of Bologna’s best kept secrets’.

Cinema Modernissimo boasts art-deco style interior and movie watchers will find every seat has the name of a cinema legend embroidered on the back. 

17. Broadway Cinematheque, Hong Kong

Located in Kowloon, Hong Kong, Broadway Cinematheque is a popular spot for indie classics and other films

Located in Kowloon, Hong Kong, Broadway Cinematheque is a popular spot for indie classics and other films.

It only seats 500 across its four screens and is beside the iconic Kubrick cafe-bookshop. 

18. Traumpalast Leonberg, Germany

Traumpalast Leonberg is home to the biggest cinema screen in the entire world – measuring 38.8 metres wide

Traumpalast Leonberg is home to the biggest cinema screen in the entire world – measuring 38.8 metres wide. 

It even has a dual laser projection system and you could easily spend the day enjoying everything this impressive venue has to offer. 

With multiple screens, a bowling alley and restaurants, visitors have plenty of entertainment options to choose from.  

19. Busan Cinema Center, South Korea

This unique venue has a sci-fi-like appearance, designed by Wolf D Prix, and is topped with an LED cap that changes colour

This unique venue has a sci-fi-like appearance, designed by Wolf D Prix, and is topped with an LED cap that changes colour. 

The Busan Cinema Center, located in South Korea, is the official venue of the Busan International Film Festival.

20. Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, London 

The fourth London-based venue to make the top 20 cinemas, Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square impresses from the outside with its unique ‘L’ shape exterior

The fourth London-based venue to make the top 20 cinemas, Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square impresses from the outside with its unique ‘L’ shape exterior. 

Inside, its main auditorium seats 800 film lovers and it is often the place to go for West End movie premieres.