Whether you’re looking for a boutique, IMAX, or fine dining variety, the country has the coolest selection of cinemas to catch the latest blockbuster movies.
With the summer weather in full swing people are flocking to the malls in droves, and where better to spend your evenings away from the heat, but in a darkened movie theatre catching all of the latest flicks munching on popcorn with your faves. We’ve rounded up some of the best spots for you to watch, drink, and dine.
Boutique Cinemas
Cinemacity, Fountain Views
In the sleek and trendy part of Downtown Dubai you will enjoy a VIP experience, choosing from international blockbusters or regional films, while you relax in reclining seats for only AED 120 per person. There’s even a ladies’ night offer on Wednesdays between 7pm-midnight where ladies get a cinema ticket, plus two appetisers, and three drinks for only AED 270.
Roxy Cinemas, City Walk
As a guest at Roxy you can choose between Gold Plus and Platinum Plus experience, both of which include a premium experience in the heart of popular tourist destination City Walk. There’s plenty of places to dine before or after, or have food delivered to your cinema seat as you relax under a pillow and blanket. Tickets start from AED 37.
Reel Boutique, Rove Downtown
The Rove Hotels are notorious for their cute and trendy vibes and attract digital nomads and workers from all over the world, and they have their own cute and cosy cinema – perfect for just 46 guests. The cinema can also be rented out privately for private parties or screenings. Get your popcorn and snacks direct to your chair, tickets start from AED 45 per person.
Vox Private Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates
Exclusive and ultra private, this intimate cinema has only 15 seats, with luxury decor and sumptuous reclining seats. It’s a wonderful spot to surprise your friends or family with a private screening, and you get unlimited popcorn and soft beverages included in the ticket price, which start at AED 3,000 for 9-12 people.
IMAX Cinemas
IMAX Sapphire, City Centre Deira
If you’ve never been to an IMAX before, prepare yourself – incredible audio, seamless visuals, and premium seating, which promises to be a totally immersive cinematic experience. IMAX Sapphire is the first of its kind in the Middle East and is superbly engaging. Just don’t forget to order your snacks. Tickets start at AED 95.
IMAX, IMG Worlds of Adventure
Having the accolade as being the largest IMAX in Dubai, the screen itself measures 24.4m view and 13.8m high, plus seating for a whopping 360 guests. Movies are shown in 4K laser projection – just don’t sit too close to the screen. Tickets start at AED 37.
NOVO IMAX, various locations
Immersive and impressive, NOVO has multiple branches throughout the UAE boasting vivid colours and superior sound. Tickets start at AED 63 in various locations, and all cinemas have excellent beverages, snacks, and hot and cold food options.
VOX IMAX, Mall of the Emirates
Covering a massive 100,000 sq, ft, VOX Cinemas at Mall of the Emirates is one of the most popular haunts for movie-goers to catch the latest flick. Their immersive 3D experience is perfectly combined with huge comfortable seats, and their curved screen adds to the viewing experience. Tickets start at AED 70.
ScreenX, Reel Cinemas, Dubai Mall
The best of the IMAX experiences, Dubai Mall’s Reel Cinema has unleashed it’s ScreenX, the UAE’s first multi-projection screening system where viewers get a 270-degree screen, meaning nothing on screen gets distorted and is perfect for watching action-packed flicks. Tickets start at AED 55.
Dubai Cinemas with Fine Dining
Reel Cinemas, The Pointe
Dinner and a movie in style as you can order food from a full restaurant menu, including mains, desserts, snacks, thick and creamy milkshakes, as well as the usual popcorn and snacks. Mains include dishes like pizza and burgers, and your order is served to you in a diner-style seating area so you don’t miss a moment on screen. Get a dine-in combo meal for AED 135 including your ticket.
Gold Cinema, various locations
Get a two-course gourmet movie here for AED 75 per ticket and choose from two dishes from their extensive menu, plus a cold beverage and a hot beverage. Alternatively order a la carte from starters, mains, cinema classics, desserts, and beverages. Get high end tasty options such as grilled prawns, Thai beef salad, crispy miso cauliflower, mac ‘n’ cheese, blueberry pancakes, chocolate orange cheesecake, to name just a few.
ThEATre Vox Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates
As a key location for movie-goers (with a whopping 14 screens), ThEATre is one of the best cinema experiences with a fine dining menu worthy of an exclusive restaurant. Served on proper plates with cutlery, expect Dynamite Shrimp, Chipotle Roasted Chicken, Pico de Gallo and avocado, plus cinema classics, flatbreads, and a variety of gourmet popcorn. For dessert choose the Sticky Toffee Pudding or Knickerbocker Glory, and choose from refreshing drinks like the Mango Passion or Lychee Punch. Tickets start at AED 168, and you also get a satin pillow and soft blanket to recline under.
VIP Experiences in Dubai
Platinum Plus, Box Park
Delightfully retro, the Roxy at Box Park has scarlet armchairs with a speak-easty vibe, plus an interesting menu of main courses and other hot dishes, and the usual cinema snacks served to your seat. It’s both a cosy and schmoozy place to enjoy the latest releases, and tickets start at AED 140.
VOX Megaplex, Grand Hyatt
Perfect for guests staying at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the VOX Megaplex has a variety of screens and experiences and some unusual dining options, including onion bhaji, dal veda, and seekh kebab, plus the usual cinema classics like popcorn, sweets, soda slushies and Nutella waffles. Tickets start at AED 42.
VOX Cinemas, Ski Dubai
Of course everything Dubai does is completely over the top, so watching a movie from an indoor ski resort should come as no surprise. Chill out in luxury and enjoy a movie for AED 100, which includes your ticket plus a glorious hot chocolate from Mirzam Chocolate Makers, and a popcorn of your choice. They even provide you with gloves, socks, boots, a beanie and a blanket so you stay toasty throughout the duration of your movie.
VOX Outdoor, Galleria Mall
We love this cinema because it’s situated on a rooftop, so you can enjoy your movie under the glittering stars and lights of the Dubai skyline. Decked out with the very finest visual technology and surround sound, there’s couches and bean bags to sit on, perfect for you and a friend. Sadly this location is only open depending on the weather. Tickets start at AED 137.
