New Oxford Cinema Welcomes Students with Affordable Movies and Cozy Vibes
Hey everyone, have you heard about the new cinema that’s opened right in the heart of Oxford? It’s called The Oxford Cinema and Cafe, and it’s been quietly making a name for itself since it opened earlier this year. What’s really interesting is that it’s set up on the site of the old Odeon cinema on Magdalen Street—a building with a long history dating back to the 1920s. The original Odeon there closed in 2023, along with the one in George Street, which had to make way for a hotel. So, there’s a lot of nostalgia tied to this location.
The new cinema is actually the fifth in a small chain owned by Alejandro Whyatt Miranda, who comes from a long line of cinema owners. He’s just 25, but he’s already bringing a fresh energy to the city’s film scene. The main auditorium here is huge, seating about 650 people including a balcony, and there’s also a boutique screen that’s more intimate, holding 52 seats. Best of all, tickets start at just £4.99 for adults, which is really affordable, especially for students.
Mr. Whyatt Miranda says that the cinema has had “a reasonable start,” and that rainy days seem to be surprisingly busy. But the real boost is expected when around 40,000 students return to Oxford for the new academic year. Audiences so far have been supportive, and he believes that this cinema might even be a better experience than the old Odeon in George Street. The aim is to keep tickets cheap while slowly growing the cinema’s reputation.
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Like many cinemas, The Oxford Cinema has faced challenges. Since 2019, some cinema chains have struggled, partly because films are going straight to streaming platforms like Netflix after short runs. Alejandro mentioned that he had hoped to show films like The Thursday Murder Club , but didn’t get the chance. Still, other films have done well at the cinema, including The Roses starring Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Beyond movies, the cafe offers a cozy spot where visitors can play chess or Scrabble, adding a social twist to the cinema experience. Interestingly, the original cinema at this site opened on January 1, 1924, with the silent film The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse . The current venue was granted planning permission in March, following a licensing application submitted in February, and officially opened at the end of May.
So, for anyone in Oxford looking for a mix of history, entertainment, and student-friendly prices, The Oxford Cinema is becoming a place to watch and be seen. It’s more than just a cinema—it’s a space where the community can enjoy films, hang out with friends, and relive a bit of Oxford’s cinematic past.
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