10 Reasons to Come Back to the Cinema

It’s time to come home

We’ve really missed being able to go to the cinema, and we know you have too. It’s not just a feeling – there’s cold, hard research out there that shows going to the cinema is the second most-missed activity we’ve all been denied over the past year or so. For teenagers and parents, it’s actually the thing they miss the most, ahead of going shopping, going to restaurants, or going to the pub.

At the same time, though, we know things have changed over the course of 2020 and 2021, and we’ve all got much more used to watching films on our TVs at home, whether that’s revisiting old favourites on DVD or streaming new releases. So just in case you’ve forgotten just how thrilling it can be to see a much-anticipated film on the big screen, we’ve put together 10 reasons to come back to the cinema:

1. It’s good for your eyes

If you’ve been working from home throughout the pandemic, you’ll know all too well how tiring it can be to stare at a tiny screen all day. Focusing on a small object that’s close to your face for too long can cause eye strain and headaches. By comparison, watching a film on a big screen allows your eyes to get a bit of a rest. Projection is also much easier on the eyes than the light emitted from an LCD screen.

2. You’ll get to sit in a comfortable chair

According to our guests, our cinema seats are the comfiest in London. If you’ve been spending a lot of time sitting on a cheap office chair, hunched over your computer, you’ll appreciate how good it feels to sit in one of our seats. And if you work a job where you’re on your feet a lot? You definitely deserve to have a nice sit down.

3. We’ve got air conditioning

Our air conditioning system is designed to keep air moving in and out of the cinema, ensuring that fresh air is constantly being drawn in. By now, we all know that airflow is crucial to our safety, so that’s good news in itself. The other good news is, unlike outside in the unpredictable British summer, in the cinema you always know what temperature it’s going to be.

4. You get a break from your phone

Considering how isolated many of us have been recently, it’s not surprising that our phones have become lifelines. But while they can be vital for keeping us in touch with our friends, families, and colleagues, they can also make us feel miserable, constantly scrolling through the news and worrying about what’s next, or jumping whenever an email notification arrives. When you’re in the cinema, though, you have no choice but to switch your phone off and ignore it for a couple of hours. Bliss.

5. … And a break from the world, in general

While you’re watching a film at the cinema, you don’t need to worry about anything else. There’s no sense that there’s a bowl of washing up waiting for you in the kitchen, or that someone’s just forwarded you a link to a long read you’ll feel obliged to scroll through. Inside our four walls, all that matters is what’s on the screen

6. You’re going to love what we’re showing

Regent Street Cinema is a single screen cinema, so while you might not feel spoilt for choice, you can feel assured that our programmer has curated our programme very carefully, and we believe in every single film we’re showing. We think you’re going to love them too

7. Films are more fun with friends

One reason watching a film at the cinema feels more satisfying than watching it at home is that you get to experience it with other people. Sitting in the dark, whether you’re with a friend or just among strangers, you know everyone else is experiencing the same emotions you are at the same time. You’d be surprised how life-affirming that can be

8. You’ll get to experience something new

Our current programme features the best new releases, alongside special one-off screenings of some of last year’s most critically lauded award-winning films – the ones that really ought to be seen for the first time on a big screen. You might just find your new favourite film

9. Storytelling is good for your brain

Psychologically speaking, being told a story does you good – it helps you to understand the world, to experience new perspectives, and to feel strong emotions in a safe space. Cinema is the best storytelling medium we have right now, so you could argue that coming to see a film is almost like going to the gym, for your brain. Plus, telling stories is good for you, too, so if you recount the plot to a friend afterwards, you get double the benefits

10. And we’ve got snacks!

We’re not sure anyone’s done the research on this yet, but we’re convinced that films are also better when you watch them while sipping on a freshly made coffee or a glass of wine from our bar, and nibbling on your favourite snack.

So what are you waiting for?