A Guide to which Cinemas are open in Newcastle and Gateshead

What have you missed most during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown? A cold pint in the pub? Dancing the night away in a bar or perhaps popping into a museum and art gallery to browse of a new exhibition? A trip to the cinema will no doubt also feature on some wish lists of things to do post-lockdown life.

Nothing beats an evening out at the cinema. Whether you love to grab an oversized tub of popcorn or would rather keep it classy with a chilled glass of wine while you watch a film, a visit to the cinema in Newcastle and Gateshead is a great way to escape for a few hours. Cinema-goers in Newcastle and Gateshead are spoilt for choice with a range of great venues to catch the latest blockbuster or experience a favourite film on the big screen.

We have created a handy guide to cinemas in NewcastleGateshead and, because, well ‘Covid-19’, we’ve updated our list with information about which cinemas will reopen and how you can book into see the latest blockbusters or catch a cult classic. If you're looking for things to do in Newcastle and Gateshead, book your cinema trip - many of the cinemas are showing absolute classics while they wait for the film industry to get back up to speed and release new films. 

Cineworld at The Gate

Reopening 10 July

One of the first cinema chains to reopen across England will be Cineworld which can be found in The Gate, Newcastle. The city centre cinema intends to reopen on 10 July with a run of blockbuster films that are waiting to be screened including the real-life remake of Disney’s Mulan, A Quiet Place II and the much-anticipated new Bond movie – No Time to Die. Cineworld at The Gate is home to the North East's first ever ScreenX and Superscreen plus 4DX which makes your experience fully immersive!

As well as online ticket booking, social distancing and the safety measures you are becoming familiar with, Cineworld will be reducing the food options that can be bought in their cinemas as well as updating their seating maps to make sure families, households and bubbles can sit together.

Odeon at intu Metrocentre, Gateshead 

Reopening 10 July

Odeon at intu Metrocentre in Gateshead will also reopen its doors from 10 July and keen beans can now book their cinema tickets. Perhaps a change to normal, the schedule is made up of film favourites like Bohemian Rhapsody, La La Land and Dirty Dancing as well as new releases like Disney Pixar's Onward which missed out on the air time they should have had when the country went into lockdown. The cinema in the heart of Gateshead's huge shopping mall also is home to a monster IMAX screen.  

Jam Jar Cinema, Whitley Bay

Reopening 24 July

Jam Jar Cinema in desirable seaside town, Whitley Bay, is an independent venue much-loved by locals. Grab a sofa, take in your glass of wine and enjoy a range of cult classics, blockbusters and new releases in this small but perfectly formed cinema.

The coronavirus lockdown and temporary closure of venues has been incredibly tough for independent cinemas and attractions across art and culture so its wonderful news that Jam Jar Cinema aims to reopen on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July before opening full time on 31 July. They have a bank of over 450 films to choose from too so get ready to be entertained! If that’s not enough – make sure the independent cinema reopens with screenings of your favourite film and add your suggestions to their Facebook page.

Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle

Reopening: still to be announced

Firm favourite, Tyneside Cinema in the centre of Newcastle, is another excellent independent cinema which oozes class. A resident in the centre of Newcastle for nearly 100 years, Tyneside Cinema is the film-lover’s cinema and prides itself on making specialist cinema accessible with a staple of cult classics, Art House and indie films making it onto the line-up. It’s also just a brilliant place to go for an alternative night out or catch up with friends. The city centre venue is also famous for its horrifying Halloween-a-thons and themed film nights complete with foods, drinks and fancy dress.

It’s a really difficult time for Tyneside Cinema who have been closed since March. Find out how you can support the organisation’s #MyTynesideCinema appeal and be part of protecting this much-loved independent cinema’s future. There is no news to when Tyneside Cinema will reopen but we’ll keep you posted. 

Everyman Cinema, Newcastle

Reopening: still to be announced

A recent addition to the cinema line up in Newcastle, Everyman Cinema on Grey Street drips with style and glamour. It’s more than a trip to the cinema, providing an all round night out experience. Everyman have a number of cinemas across the UK and have announced details of when a select number of these will reopen, although Newcastle isn't part of this first wave. We’ll update you with a date for the Newcastle reopening.

Vue Cinema, Trinity Square Gateshead

Reopening: still to be announced

With £4.99 tickets all day, every day, Vue Cinema is a great place to enjoy the latest releases without breaking the bank. It might be a well-known chain but the seats feel bigger and there is always plenty of leg-room wherever you’re sat. With handy parking underneath the Tesco opposites, its easy to get to and a great value trip to the cinema. As well as blockbuster films, theatre fans can often catch performances by Northern Ballet and National Theatre Live (something those pining after the closure of theatres will have tuned into each Thursday during lockdown).

Star and Shadow Cinema

Reopening: still to be announced but expecting October 2020.

Star and Shadow Cinema is a creative and independent arts based, volunteer-run organisation who have bohemian-style collective. The eclectic programme of films and events range from niche, indie films, discussion pieces to vintage silent movies and events exploring the process of film-making.

Whilst Star and Shadow have been closed, they have headed online where film fans and creatives can listen to their frequent radio broadcasts and other online content.

Read Star and Shadow Cinema’s full statement here and find out how to donate to support the organisation during the challenges of lockdown.

Side Cinema

Reopening: still to be announced

Tucked away along the cobbles of Side on Newcastle Quayside, Side Cinema is part of sister organisation, Side Gallery which shows classic and contemporary international film seasons, often linked to exhibitions in the gallery. The intimate venue is geared towards enthusiasts and typically programme filmmaker events and special interest screenings of Amber's films and many of the photography exhibitions they hold. Side Cinema, has been a hidden gem in Newcastle for over 40 years, providing an inclusive space for independent cinema in the Northeast. During its covid-19 imposed closure, Side Cinema went online and offered a series of free screenings online which can be viewed here.

The rise in the number of outdoor and drive-in cinemas has increased in response to restrictive social distancing guidelines – but what better way to enjoy a classic movie or latest blockbuster in the summer months?

In recent years, there have been outdoor screenings in the epic surroundings of Alnwick Castle as well as the popular Drive-In Movies each summer in South Shields.

Visitors to Newcastle city centre in summers gone by will also be familiar with the free NE1 Screen on the Green showings. Typically, shoppers and passers by can relax with a family-friendly hit in the afternoon and a blockbuster during the early evening – from classics to some new releases. Screen on the Green has been postponed pending a review so check back for more information.

South Causey Inn near Gateshead are hosting a series of Cinema and Afternoon Tea events throughout July. Enjoy your first foray back into events at an actual venue and tuck into a delicious Afternoon Tea whilst singing along to Hairspray or Dirty Dancing! 

We’ll keep you up to date on any must-see open-air cinema experiences that will take place this summer as we predict they will be the hottest tickets in the Toon.

Cinemas are adopting a number of key safety measures to ensure both staff and cinema-goers are protected and can relax on their visits. They will be specific requirements at each cinema depending on their own policies, building layouts and requests but it is worth considering the following general guidelines before you visit your nearest cinema:

• Social distancing – there will be new systems to in place to ensure staff and cinema-goers can still maintain social distancing. These measures could include one-way systems, space markers at queuing points, updated seating maps in the screens to ensure ample spacing between visitors – this will result in a limited capacity for each screening.
• Staggered film times - there may be changes to the timings of films to better manage the flow of people who are arriving and leaving the cinema and to allow for longer cleaning periods between screenings.
• E-ticketing – it is becoming the norm to pre-book tickets in advance of a visit but this will be even more important in a post-lockdown environment so that cinemas can manage numbers and avoid unnecessary queuing and contact once in the cinema.
• All the usuals – we’re becoming very familiar with the preventative measures available to us and expected of us including regular hand washing, maintaining distance with people outside our household or bubble, contactless payments, plastic screens at till points and hand sanitiser for all!
• Wearing face masks are not compulsory inside buildings but might be an added extra to reassure you.