Section Title
The Ultimate Picture Palace
Where Every Seat Has a Story
Oxford’s only independent cinema
We are a community-owned independent cinema just off East Oxford’s Cowley Road with a single screen in a cosy auditorium. We show an eclectic mix of independent, mainstream, foreign language, and classic films.
Our beautiful historic art deco building dates from 1911 and still has the original box office window that opens onto the street. The cinema is run by a small but passionate team of staff and volunteers.
Inside the auditorium we have a small bar that serves a range of drinks and snacks before the film. We don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so the film itself starts very close to the advertised time.
In 2022, the UPP became a community-owned business after a successful campaign in which over 1,200 local investors bought shares in The Ultimate Picture Palace Community Cinema.
Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road. We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so don't be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!
Opening hours
We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts.
We don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!
Getting here
Based just off Cowley Road, the Ultimate Picture Palace is easy to find. There is no off street parking, so we recommend a car free visit if possible. However, there are two blue badge disabled parking spaces directly opposite the cinema. The number 1 and 5 bus from Oxford city centre stop right outside and there are numerous bike parks very close by.
Bar and snacks
Our bar inside the auditorium serves a range of snacks including ice cream from G&Ds, locally made brownies, our own pick and mix sweetie mix, and freshly made popcorn. For drinks, we have soft drinks, hot drinks, a half-caffeinated blend of coffee made by Missing Bean, wine selected by local wine suppliers Grape Minds, and guest beers from Tap Social. Our bar is only open in the 30 minutes before the film starts, so make sure you stock up before the lights go down.
Cinema accessibility
Location
Contact Information
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September 4, 2025
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September 4, 2025
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September 4, 2025
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September 4, 2025