Streaming is all well and good until you remember the simple thrill of sitting in a dark room with a giant screen, a bucket of popcorn and absolutely no temptation to check your emails. And while multiplexes and IMAX screens certainly have their place (in fact, some movies were made for them), there’s something infinitely more charming about an independent cinema – particularly one housed in some kind of grand Art Deco palace, a centuries-old theatre or, in one case, an open-air picture house beneath the stars.

From heritage-listed landmarks and rooftop screening spots to hidden basement cinemas with excellent martinis, Australia is home to some genuinely gorgeous places to watch a film – if only you know where to look. And we've already called it, going to the movies is so back. So, whether you're a devoted cinephile or simply looking for an excuse to make an evening of it, these are the independent cinemas around the country that prove there's still romance in going for a night at the picture house.

1. Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace (Cremorne, NSW)

Address: 380 Military Rd, Cremorne NSW 2090

The Orpheum is one of Australia’s last grand Art Deco picture palaces. Having originally opened in 1935, it still retains its sweeping staircase, gilded interiors and famously atmospheric Wurlitzer organ performances before select screenings. Programming across its six screens ranges from new releases to cult classics and special events (like National Theatre Live films), each with reserved seating.

2. New Farm Cinema (New Farm, QLD)

Address: 701 Brunswick St, New Farm QLD 4005

Part of Brisbane’s independent Five Star Cinemas group, New Farm Cinema occupies a heritage-listed Art Deco building along Brunswick Street (just a stone's throw from the nightlife of The Valley) and has long been a favourite for festival titles, documentaries and thoughtful international releases. Sessions run throughout the day and into the evening, and you can rent out the cinema space for personalised screenings too.

3. Golden Age Cinema and Bar (Surry Hills, NSW)

Address: 80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Hidden beneath the heritage-listed Paramount House Hotel, Golden Age occupies the former screening room of Paramount Pictures’ Sydney headquarters, retaining a lot of its intimate 1940s character. Its carefully curated program favours repertory cinema, director retrospectives and independent releases, while the adjoining cocktail bar has become as much of a draw as the films themselves (and is perfect for a pre- or post-screening beverage).

4. Sun Pictures (Broome, WA)

Address: 8 Carnarvon St, Broome WA 6725

Believed to be the world’s oldest operating outdoor cinema, Sun Pictures has been screening films under Broome’s tropical night sky since 1916. Visitors can still watch new releases and classics amid the venue’s weathered corrugated-iron charm, often accompanied by the occasional passing plane overhead on its final approach to the nearby airport.

5. The Regal Theatre (Kensington Park, SA)

Address: 275 Kensington Rd, Kensington Park SA 5068

Opened in 1925, The Regal is one of Adelaide’s more elegant surviving cinema buildings, distinguished by its Spanish Mission architecture and beautifully restored interiors. Alongside film screenings, the venue hosts concerts, talks and special events, preserving the sense that a night at the pictures should still feel like an occasion.

6. The Astor Theatre (St. Kilda, VIC)

With its neon façade, sweeping auditorium and heritage-listed interiors, The Astor is among Melbourne’s most beloved single-screen cinemas and a landmark of the city’s film culture. Here, double features, marathon screenings and carefully programmed retrospectives sit alongside contemporary releases.

7. Sun Theatre (Yarraville, VIC)

Address: 8 Ballarat St, Yarraville VIC 3013

The Sun Theatre opened in 1938 as a striking Art Deco neighbourhood cinema and remains the architectural centrepiece of Yarraville’s village precinct. Multiple screens allow for a mix of mainstream, arthouse and festival programming, while the restored foyer preserves much of the glamour of its interwar origins.

8. Brunswick Picture House (Bruswick Heads, NSW)

Address: 30 Fingal St, Brunswick Heads NSW 2483

Part cinema, part cabaret venue and part cultural hub, Brunswick Picture House has reinvented a historic theatre as one of the Northern Rivers’ most distinctive entertainment spaces. Its schedule moves fluidly between film screenings, live performances and variety shows – and even has its own bar and kiosk open for service one hour before showtime.

9. State Cinema (North Hobart, TAS)

Address: 375 Elizabeth St, North Hobart TAS 7000

Family-owned since 1913, the State Cinema is Tasmania’s oldest continuously operating cinema and a cornerstone of Hobart’s independent film scene. Alongside mainstream and arthouse releases, visitors will find rooftop screenings, festival events and one of the country’s most thoughtfully curated regional cinema programs.

10. The Ritz (Randwick, NSW)

Address: 45 St Pauls St, Randwick NSW 2031

Dating back to 1937, The Ritz remains one of Sydney’s finest Art Deco cinemas, complete with curved lines, period detailing and a grand heritage façade. Its programming balances current releases with classic film seasons, 35mm screenings and special events. What makes it a truly special experience though is plonking yourself down with a snack and a drink on their upstairs terrace before and after screenings.

11. Eclipse Cinema (Collingwood, VIC)

Address: 32 Wellington St, Collingwood VIC 3066

Tucked within Melbourne’s creative inner north, Eclipse Cinema offers a boutique, community-focused alternative to larger commercial chains. Expect a strong emphasis on independent, international and locally produced films, with a schedule that often includes filmmaker Q&As, special screenings and cultural events. Perfect for the city's cinephiles and film professionals to convene.

12. The Majestic Theatre (Pomona, QLD)

Address: 3 Factory St, Pomona QLD 4568

Opened in 1921, The Majestic is widely regarded as the world’s longest-running silent movie theatre and still houses a functioning heritage organ used for live accompaniment. Its lovingly preserved interiors and volunteer-driven operation create an experience that feels like stepping into cinema history.

13. Lido (Hawthorn, VIC)

Address: 675 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122

Within a converted historic theatre complex, Lido combines contemporary comfort with old-school cinema charm, including one of Melbourne’s most popular rooftop screening venues during warmer months. The program ranges from blockbuster releases to foreign-language films and festival favourites, making it a reliable destination for adventurous moviegoers.