The Barbican

The Barbican is one of London's leading arthouse cinemas, with three screens (Cinema 1 in the main Brutalist centre and Cinemas 2 & 3 across the road on Beech Street) showcasing an exceptionally curated programme of international cinema, new releases, restored classics, and experimental film. Programming spans everything from contemporary arthouse and world cinema to rare archive prints and comprehensive director retrospectives, with a strong emphasis on lesser-seen gems and under-heard voices from past and present. The venue is particularly renowned for its ScreenTalks—post-screening Q&As with directors, actors, and filmmakers that bring audiences closer to the creative process.

Beyond its core film offering, the Barbican hosts major film festivals and seasons (including Experiments in Film, themed retrospectives, and international cinema showcases like the Iranian New Wave series), alongside silent films with live musical accompaniment and event cinema broadcasts of theatre and opera. The cinema is exceptionally accessible, with relaxed screenings for neurodiverse audiences, parent and baby screenings, senior community screenings, audio description, and captioned performances. With Pay What You Can screenings and a welcoming café-bar that operates all day on Beech Street, it's a cinema that combines artistic ambition with genuine community spirit.