Empire Cinemas

A blockbuster cinema steeped in history in the heart of London Town. It pretty much is the most epic place you can watch bar iMax.
However for the price and the fact that London is filled with great cinemas, independent or otherwise that have seemingly caught up in not sure if venture here specially to watch a film for the steep price. It’s prices are high because it’s in tourist central. So, while I admire it, unless I was lucky enough to go to a première I don’t think I’d watch many films here.

I’ve never been to an IMAX but New Year’s Day we booked tickets for the new Star Wars at Leicester Square Empire at a whopping £20 each! Ouch! But I was super excited.
The screen inside was massive and we got seats perfectly in the middle so it was great. The film was brill and so was the cinema.
The most ridiculous thing was that they made people queue before going in and so we were stood outside for 10 minutes in the cold. Lucky it didn’t rain. This was so there wasn’t a mass surge at the toilets, bar and for seats however surely people would have filtered in without the queue?!
We didn’t bother with snacks etc as they’re so over priced!
Glasses are provided, seats are comfy, toilets are clean.
I really enjoyed it and will def be back for the next Star Wars but wouldn’t be paying for it for any old film.

Watched 007 here and impressed with the sound and screen performance just like any other iMax cinema. Seat is a bit smaller than the ones in the States. We got medium popcorn with half sweet and half salty ones in it. There are 20mins preview for each movie by the way. We paid $ 39 for two iMax tickets on a Saturday night.

When I first arrived in London, I was taken to the Empire on a date. Wow, I was impressed by the sheer size of the place, the red velvet seats — a real experience compared to the provincial cinema back home.
Somehow Leicester Square has managed to hold on to some of the glamour of yesteryear, but tourists probably make up the majority of the visitors.
I still prefer the Empire to the other massive cinemas on the square, even though in truth it is just another multiplex. The red velvet has long gone, replaced with wipe down plastic seats. They crammed in as many rows as they could making this more of a budget airline experience than the special occasion you would expect at £20 a pop.
What’s worst though are the queues in the «refreshments area» with staff not making the least bit of effort to serve the long queues efficiently. The prices here are astronomical as well, of course — today’s cinema experience is all about pack ‘em in … they guys in the cordoned off private event area didn’t look much happier either, but they got their beers a little faster. And as the credits started rolling the area emptied, leaving behind a few dropped bits of popcorn …

The main screen at the Empire at Leicester Square used to be my very favourite in the area. So naturally, they ripped it out and replaced it with an Imax. This was my first return visit since then and well… meh. The seats are kinda comfy, but if you end up in a seat anywhere that isn’t directly in the centre and you end up craning your neck because the aspect of the screen is completely out of whack.
With the cinemas in the Leicester Square area always fighting over who can seat the most, the comfort of the customer is often forgotten. So while the seats are comfy (they should be as they’re so new), there isn’t enough room to out your stuff in front of your feet during the winter as your coat is often a lot bigger than during the summer.
I can understand that the Empire wanted to have something that no one else had nearby, but frankly nothing is going to use this Imax screen properly until Avatar 2 comes out in two years time, and in installing it, they hacked apart the single best screen in the area. It wasn’t worth it at all — the only improvement I spotted was that at least this time they chose seats with cup holders.

Très bien situé, car sur Leicester Square, ce cinéma né propose que des films à succès.
Les tarifs sont relativement chers, nettement plus de £10 la séance, et ils dépendant de la salle.
J’ai été dans la salle de 20 places — la plus petite — donc je n’ai payé que £9.95.
Attention, si vous n’allez pas dans les salles les plus grandes, vous risquez de gravir pas mal d’escaliers ! J’ai cru pendant quelques instants que nous n’arriverions jamais tellement nous montions de marches…
Quand vous achetez votre billet, on vous demandera de réserver une place.
Je vous conseille de respecter ce choix car un membre du personnel peut être amené à vérifier vos billets et à vous placer là où vous devez être !
Les sièges sont confortables et ils s’adaptent à votre assise. Donc pas de mal de dos à la fin du film ! Et il y a de la place pour les jambes.

A nice theater located in Leicester Square, right next to a casino with the same name and across the street from a small park. They have street performers doing various magic tricks nearby which really increases the crowds.
The theater itself is spacious and has couches in the waiting area. Concessions aren’t marked up like in the USA — everything in London is equally expensive :).
I want to see Raid 2. The screen is decent sized, but the theater access is strange with several stairs going down and then up again. Like cinemas in Asia, they have assigned seating but you can switch if the theater isn’t too crowded. Seats are comfortable, and are the rocking type. The other difference from USA theaters is that they show more commercials than trailers — that’s okay since I find many UK commercials actually funny.
BTW — Raid 2 is an excellent action flick that is pure adrenalin rush. A must for all martial arts fans. The fight scenes were intense and the violence over the top (makes Kill Bill look tame). I hope it does well in the USA — it left me speechless and many audience members here gasped at the intensity.

Oh Empire Cinemas! You sucked me in because you were the only Cinema in the area showing Veronica Mars. You impressed me with your lounge seating to wait in while I was waiting for my movie to start. I stared longingly at the booze sitting behind the snack bar, wondering if you had anything good (but abstaining because, well, Monday). You even have lotion in the toilets!
The seating inside your cinemas is super comfy and reclining to make my movie experience better. You also have great sound quality, and you can’t really beat a movie for a tenner.
So why? Why only four stars? I’ll tell you why. You reminded me why I hate going to the cinema and would rather watch movies at home. Yes your screen is larger than mine, but watching a movie at home has one plain advantage: I don’t have to sit through twenty minutes of annoyingly stupid commercials and previews for movies that look way too stupid to watch. Seriously. Thanks for reminding me. It may be another two years before going back to a cinema!
(But if you, dear reader, don’t mind those shenanigans, this is probably the cinema for you.)

I dare you to find another cinema in proper central London that charges just £9.95 per ticket!
The Empire is pretty darn spiffy. Located right in the heart of Leicester Square, it has several screens, and is a throwback to the days of yore before mega cinema chains took the world over. But that’s not to say the Empire isn’t up to snuff! It’s pretty fab.
Went yesterday to catch a showing of Despicable Me 2, and landed in Screen 8, a 4-​row wonder of tininess by today’s standards, but I loved it just as much. The seats were comfy and rock a bit, the room was clean, and despite the small screen and small room, the sound was fantastic and the video quality was superb.
I had a wander around the rest of the cinema after the movie was through, and stuck my head into what I believe is Screen 1, and is a massive, impressive thing, with multiple tiers and mood lighting of many colors and woah. I need to come back and catch a flick in that room.
Love it! I now have my standard for catching a movie in central London!

I recently visited the Empire Cinema in Lecicester Sq for the second time time in my life. The first was when I was 10 years old and with my parents to watch Jurrasic Park back in 1993.
I really like this place, compared to the new Odean and Vue that are spitting distance away from the Empire, this place has a certain old school charm about it and what’s more appealing is the the cinema ticket for a evening show was less than 10 quid, now that’s pretty decent for central London.
I liked the seats that reclined, almost like a rocking chair and our theatre was tiny and intimate with only 6 rows. The staff were freindly enough and they sold a good collection of booze that wasn’t too expensive. I think I’ll be going back again but next time it would for a big film on an even bigger screen.

I’ve been to this cinema loads and loads of times, but mostly for film première events e.g. Django Unchained, Flight and A Good Day to Die Hard
I don’t have a strong opinion about this cinema but it appears to serve a good purpose for press photographers like me.

My first Leicester Square cinema outing. We popped in on our way to dinner to get our tickets from the self-​serve touch screen a few hours before our show time, and that was easy enough. They claim that every ticket, no matter the time or day, is £9.95 and that was case for our 22:40 showing on a Saturday night.
We ended up in a theatre that was about the third the size of a normal theatre, to my surprise. Not sure if they’re all that small. Picked up a small popcorn, two Coronas and a small ice cream (like the size of a sample) for £14. Is that reasonable? I think I’ve been in London too long because I have no idea… I think so.
Small lounge area with tables and couches was a nice touch, theatre seats were plush and plenty of room to make use of the seats rock back features without annoying the person behind you.
The theatre in general seemed very … quiet for a Saturday night. No line for the snacks at all and very short line for those buying tickets from the counter. Compare that to Odeon, which had a line of people 15 deep snaking out the door, I’m not sure what Empire is doing right or wrong. But I had no complaints.

The best cinema I’ve ever been to, the best cinema in London hands down!!! The sound is very loud and will drown out any noises from people talking or eating etc

I’ve only ever been in screen 1 of this cinema, which reminds me of the Epcot centre in Disney or being inside a giant golf ball, it’s scary how big it is. It’s a massive screen, so wherever you sit in the room you always will get a good view. You will pay slightly more to sit in the flat stalls nearer the front than the circle seats which slope to the rear.
I’m not sure what the prices of the concessions are in the cinema, however I noticed that the last time I was there they sell coffee at a reasonable price. Next chance I get to go I will have to check out some of the other items they have on offer. They also have a fully licensed bar.
This cinema is used to host London premiers of big named films, if you are looking to spot some stars you may need to get here early.

Fui a ver Prometheus 3D con mis amigos hace un par de semanas, comprar los billetes en su sitio web fue facil. Screen 1 es un cuarto grande y la calidad de la plantalla es muy bueno. Las sillas eran comodos pero no habia sitio para poner nuestra bebidas, que es algo essencial en un cine. Las billetes eran un poco caro, costando £15, especialmente cuando solo eran £10 hace un par de año y el cine no a cambiado por nada en esos años.

I really like Empire Cinema.
I first went a few years back, and I just recently saw Chronicle in the small theatre (#5) that only has four rows and feels more like a living room than a movie theatre.
It’s kind of strange how most of the pre-​show ads are either for booze or video games (hidden message?) but aside from that the whole experience is top-​notch.

I had no clue this cinema was so damn awesome! I just walked in not expecting much except the typical run of the mill cinemas.
Walking through the entrance my friend and I both were open mouthed and in awe! This place is massive! Leaving the cinema was like the end of a concert of something; the amount of people heading for the exit was manic.
The screen has a curtain like a theater or a proper cinema should have and the layout is similar to a theater with stalls and a circle.
The red velvet seat are the comfiest I’ve sat on in a cinema and I couldn’t stop complimenting them.
The screen was big and the sound was crisp. Ushers are helpful and will buy your snacks for you as you enjoy the film (how cool!)
Alcohol is permitted too! yay!
Tickets are well above the usual £8−9 but it’s well worth it if cinema atmosphere is important to you.

Went here to see a film, «Monsters» for Frightfrest, and was pretty surprised when I walked in the actual theater– the concession area is small & old school looking, but INSIDE the theater — its HUGE!
Haven’t seen a film on the other screens, so I’m not sure if they’re all huge.
This theater is located near lots of restaurants and shops, very touristy area, very crowded. When you walk up to it, its «EMPIRE» lights are so extravagant & bright, its fun, and you can’t miss it. Once you’re in, there isn’t much to choose from at the concessions, so hopefully you will have already had some sushi down the street or quick bite at «Burger King» or something next door.
If you’re here, and you get the chance to pick a film, pick one that’s playing on the BIG screen, Screen 1 I believe… not sure. From what I went through, we had arranged seats, so it didn’t matter what time we would arrive. The chairs are older, BUT — its such a huge room with a decently large screen. The sound was fine, and the ushers were helpful.
All in all, its a great big cinema with a… great big screen. It reminded me of a bigger old American AMC Theater, not quite the Arclight, or anything.

It’s Monday, I’ve some time to kill, so I go online to see what cinema has a midday showing. Empire in Leicester Sq fits the bill and I pop on the tube to go and see Green Zone.
Not many people around town as it is a working Monday, I get «chugged» outside the cinema (charity mugged) but as I am not a UK resident I did not interest the pretty girl.
Nearly fell over when asked did I want the £11 or £13 ticket option… The same night I visited another cinema for £4.50. Hmmmm.
Anyway, this is a very nice cinema, large, seating areas while waiting with tv screens around showing trailers, was then into screen 1 (the biggest I think). Great seats, picture and sound amazing. A good show all round.
Expense is the only problem and midday Monday. there is really no excuse.

This place is just all round greatness!
I saw 4 films this year as part of the Frightfest weekend held here in August, and i thought this was a fantastic location for it. What a treat.
The seating is utter luxury, and you can see the screen perfectly, even if there is a tall person in front of you! Which always happens to me.
It has a nice foyer with some comfy black leather sofas too!
Plush is the word!

Despite the fact that I’ve seen films in Leicester Square a few times, I’d somehow never been to this cinema before. Which is a shame, as I think it might be the best one here. The seats are definitely the comfiest. Noticed that as soon as I sat down.
Went to a late showing of a film and getting in and getting to our seats (tickets easily picked up after booking online) was easy. Ignored the usual overpriced refreshment options. It did take a while to filter people out, via one open door, but I guess they have security or safety reasons for this.
This place would probably could be worth a 4but I just can’t because I don’t want to go back, because of the location. Coming out of the fantasy world created by the film into the grim reality of Leicester square at 2 in the morning, provides a severe shock to the system. I’d forgotten what this part of town was like at that time of night (because I had been avoiding it for so long, I guess).

At a time when cinema chains with a large of screens are sprouting up everywhere, the significance of the West End cinemas is gradually fading into history.
Due to widespread piracy, cinema chains release their films nation-​wide simultaneously these days. In the old days, the films would come out in the West End first and then gradually spread through the country.
However, the Empire Leicester Square still has a few specials up its sleeve — it has a huge screen with a fantastic sound system, so it’s worth watching films here, when size is everything. I remember watching Top Gun here and it was an amazing spectacle.
It also still hosts film premieres when you can come and rubberneck at the celebrities arriving on the red carpet.
The matinees are especially good value.