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    VIFF Centre

    4.4 (40 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    Vancouver Playhouse
    Bobbie W.

    I remember decades ago I went to my very first VIFF movie "Romper Stomper" with Russell Crowe. It was one of those foreign movies that got my blood boiling given the subject matter. These VIFF international movies continue to be a refreshing option to the standard Hollywood formula movies that I easily grew tiresome of with predictable plot endings VIFF continues to bring worthy movies that open the mind to new perspectives and escape our local existence for a few hours. Time well spent! I always find several movies worth watching each year and try to support VIFF as a non profit that broadens my horizons. The number of volunteers of this Society speaks to the dedication this fine organization With the new of staying home and streaming, there is much to be appreciated about actually going out "VIFF and Chilling" particularly at cool theatres like the Vancouver Playhouse, The Rio, International Village Cineplex who often does allot of independent films (vs blockbusters) and of course the Park Theatre. There are tons of great restaurants around all these venues too VIFF fan here and I encourage you to check it out. Besides couples of all ages attending, I also see allot of young singles attending these venues in the last 5 movies which I thought was very cool.

    Rizza S.

    This is more of a suggestion than a review. VANCITY THEATRE, I think it's time to have assigned seating. Here's why, (a reminder to be assertive so as not to be taken advantage of, no matter what your race is). MY RANT.... I don't know why this is still bothering me but it does! I just have to say something just to get this out of my chest. Last Saturday, February 9, 2019, I went by myself to Vancity Theatre to watch The Legend of the Demon Cat. I was there 9pm, half hour before the film starts because it's first come first serve. When I got there people were chill. They were drinking wine, chatting and eating their popcorn while waiting for the film ROMA to complete. Then a group of people started lining up by the door. I though, what the heck, I should line up too. Then others followed. The line up was long. It was a good thing I went to the line when I did. Then it was time to go in. I was walking slowly at the same time was looking down my phone when an old white dude walked infront of me! Really?! This is happening here?! In Vancity Theatre located in an affluent neighborhood, where film goers are supposed to be elite and "cultured"?! Are you kidding me?! What bothers me was not that dude's behaviour but mine. I should have said something, right? I was just too lazy to care. But that shouldn't be the case. I also just realize that I was one of the few Asians there. The person originally infront of me was a white lady, also by herself. The couple behind me were also white. It got me thinking. Why would this idiot get infront of me and not behind me or infront of the white lady ahead of me. Is it because I'm Asian and thus will not say anything?! I really hate myself now. I SHOULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING! GEEZ!

    Denise W.

    This place is interesting. When I first told about Vancity Theatre and I had in mind the Scotia Bank Theater. I thought to myself wondering if Scotia Bank changed its name Nope its a totally different theatre. I am guessing this place must have lots of plays happening. Not really a place to watch movie. But the seats are spacious. Rows are spacious to walk through. Not to mention its very clean inside. The place has pretty good surround sounds. Will recommend this theatre! Well I came here to watch the screener Snowtime.

    Roanna Z.

    Holy smokin' películandia! I don't think I've been to a more posh cinema. I love the modern exterior architecture, the almost grand foyer with it's super comfy leather chairs and bistro tables, and the concession is more of a cafe and which also serves wine by the glass. The theater is bigger than it looks with an upper balcony, and the seats are large and comfortable. I was really surprised by the amount of space in front of each seat. Even the drapery is nice, a rich orange-red velvet that I could hardly take my eyes off until the film started. Our film choice on the other hand was sincerely poor. (A huge understatement). This film we saw could've been edited in half and achieved the same result instead of dragging us torturously along for 2 hours and dropping us off at a dead end, scratching our heads wondering what the hell we just witnessed. One of the most unclear stories I've ever had the misfortune of watching. Our own fault as we waited until the last day to use our vouchers which included a (good quality) popcorn and a beverage.

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    9 years ago

    Good customer service. The $2 membership is worth it. The movie selection is good too! Thanks.

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    13 years ago

    Best theatre in Vancouver. Bar none.

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    Home to many fantastic films and events.

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    Review Highlights - VIFF Centre

    Great spacious seats, an plush outside lounge area and beer/wine are available to bring into the theatre.

    Mentioned in 13 reviews

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    Cineplex Odeon International Village

    Cineplex Odeon International Village

    3.7(117 reviews)
    1.4 kmDowntown

    Terrible service…read more There are two ticket machines out side of door but one of them's transaction machine was not working. I was almost late for movie time and there were long lineup after me. I was sure everyone were so frustrated not to catch the movie on time. I talked to the receptionist/cast member but she was busy for dealing her smart phone (don't bring it at workplace especially while you are talking to the customer) Three hours later, after I watched the movie, the transaction machine still had no sign like out of order. Even they haven't opened physical ticket booth. One other cast member was just walking around telling "Thank you for coming". It doesn't make any sense and no help at all. They pretend they were doing best without any effort.

    i actually kinda like this theatre for what it is, low key, never too crowded, and just chill. the…read moreseats are comfy enough, they gently rock back, but don't expect footrests or full on recliners with swivel trays, it's not vip. the a/c hits that balance, cool enough to keep you comfortable without needing a cardigan. tucked inside tinseltown (aka international village mall), this place feels like a bit of a throwback, the mall is dated and rarely busy. it means shorter lines, easy parking, and a calmer vibe overall. with nine theatres and a decent sound system, you're still getting a proper moviegoing experience without the frills. plus, it's close to chinatown, t&t, and a food court if you're craving something other than popcorn. but if you are in a popcorn mood (mandatory at movies for me, regardless of how full i am) theirs is solid (but can be a hit or miss). on this visit, the popcorn was warm, freshly popped, and not too greasy. washrooms were clean, no long line ups, and yes, free underground parking with your movie ticket stub. the movie lineup is diverse, from big studio hollywood blockbusters to indie releases and foreign films. not fancy, nor flashy, but dependable, comfortable, and a great spot to catch a movie.

    Photos
    Cineplex Odeon International Village - We tried left machine but as not working, we moved to right and continued same process. Such wasting time.

    We tried left machine but as not working, we moved to right and continued same process. Such wasting time.

    Cineplex Odeon International Village
    Cineplex Odeon International Village - We got to watch it earlier during screener. June 2022.

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    We got to watch it earlier during screener. June 2022.

    Scotiabank Theatre

    Scotiabank Theatre

    3.3(179 reviews)
    0.5 kmDowntown

    There are many showtimes available everyday. Buying tickets online and at the digital ticketing…read morebooth in person is easy. Regular movies are discounted at about $10 on Tuesdays (compared to $16 on other days). If you want to avoid the crowds, go in the afternoon or Mondays and Wednesdays. The scene points rewards program gives you back about 5% back in the form of points that you can redeem at Shell gas station or Safeway grocery stores. The staff are always very friendly and helpful. They thank us for coming every time and do a good job at cleaning the theatres. This theatre has a few special experiences. The IMAX theatre is very big with excellent sound and graphics. We have watched Tron: Ares, Mission, Impossible: Dead Reckoning and The Bride! in IMAX. This IMAX theatre is a lot bigger than Silvercity Riverport which only has 10 rows. The only complaint I have is that it costs $28. Screen X is a 270 degree experience with 3 screens with selected scenes using all 3 screens. We watched Scream 7 and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple in Screen X. The two side screens are 90 degrees on the side walls and lower resolution. It would be better if the screens were 45 degrees. The side screens usually have some background images. They have two UltraAVX theatres which has enhanced graphics and sound. We watched How to Train a Dragon, Ballerina, Lilo & Stitch, The Black Phone 2, Nobody 2, Wuthering Heights and Reminders of Him in UltraAVX. The action movies are worth paying the extra $6 but we can't tell much difference with the drama movies except for the bigger screen. The IMAX and UltraAVX theatres on level 2 have new leather, high back seating that lean back. Theatres 4-9 upstairs still have old, cloth seats that need to be upgraded. Some of them are broken and still being sold. The other locations we have been to, including International Village, Metropolis, Marine Gateway and Fifth Avenue all have new seats and do a better job at not selling broken seats and taping them off. They have soda machines that have 100+ flavours to choose from including zero sugar and unlimited refills. My favourites are strawberry sprite and pineapple Fanta. It's about $7 for a medium. Getting the large popcorn is worth it as it's a lot bigger than the medium and you get one free refill. Unlimited popcorn topping.

    I come to this theatre quiet often and it's definitely one of my favourite one. It's very big! They…read morehave two floors with over 10 theatres and their food & snacks diversity is pretty big. The restrooms and usually always clean here (pro tip: go to their second floor bathrooms because those are usually always empty and clean).

    Photos
    Scotiabank Theatre - Gladiator II (courtesy of Paramount Pictures)

    Gladiator II (courtesy of Paramount Pictures)

    Scotiabank Theatre - Entrances

    Entrances

    Scotiabank Theatre

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    Omnimax Theatre

    Omnimax Theatre

    3.3(3 reviews)
    1.7 km

    It was just an Imax, nothing more than that. It's billed as an "omni"max but the image is only on…read morepart of the dome. It was totally fine and it was an interesting Imax movie, but not advertise as something more when it is just an Imax. Leg room in the seating was TIGHT. I'm only 5'4" and my knees were hitting the seat in front of me. It wasn't comfortable. It was definitely cool has the lights behind the screen were turned on to illuminate some of the inner workings of the Imax sound system. I enjoyed the museum exhibits more than the Imax.

    It was okay, but had its disappointments. First of all, you can see the grid of the screen through…read morethe film, so you are always aware you are watching a film. I mean, you can't lose yourself in the imagery, such as flying over a mountaintop and really believing it, because the whole time the dome pattern of the screen is visible. Have they really not figured out a way to fix this? The film we saw, Superpower Dogs, was very good, and we kept saying "Wow!" as we learned so many fascinating things about dogs. So much so that I ALMOST felt moved to take a dog into my home. So no complaints about the actual film we saw. No, our problems were with the theatre. The viewer needs to look only directly into the centre of the screen, otherwise the image is distorted. It's easy to start feeling dizzy or queazy if you let your eyes wander to the edges. The image was lacking depth of colour, or saturation, in a lot of the scenes. It was often pale and lacking contrast. Is this because it's stretched across such a large space? Wasn't it shot with Imax cameras? One would think it must have been, yet it seemed unfit for this purpose, with the lack of intensity and the distortion anywhere but centre screen. Patrons are not allowed into the dome until 15 minutes before the film starts, but I recommend being early so you can get a good seat high up and in the centre. We sat in the last row so at least we didn't have noisy people behind us. Before the film started, a woman kept yelling at a man sitting near her, telling him to move along the row to make more room for her group. No staff member appeared to deal with it, although another patron told the arguers to "grow up and set a better example for children in the audience". Bravo to him! Luckily we had a Groupon discount because this experience was hardly worth the costly tickets ($12.75 each). The show was 45 minutes long and cost more to get in than a regular feature film. If we'd (granny and granddaughter) combined this show with a ScienceWorld visit, the total admission for two of us would have been over $50 out of my senior's pension! Ridiculous! If you are planning a trip to Vancouver, be warned: Nearly all the popular attractions are wildly overpriced for what you get, and this place is no exception!

    Photos
    Omnimax Theatre
    Omnimax Theatre - Projection room

    Projection room

    Omnimax Theatre - Projection room

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    Projection room

    The Cinematheque

    The Cinematheque

    4.5(31 reviews)
    0.2 kmDowntown

    I love this cinema so much. I began frequenting The Cinematheque in 2010, drawn in by the obscure…read moreart house + French-language films. They are the venue partner for several larger festivals--VIFF, DOXA, VLAFF--but the true allure is their year-round programming, highlights include filmmaker retrospectives, contemporary Canadian cinema, new restorations of old classics and cult, moving-image art (DIM Cinema), and a family matinée with your favourite obscure childhood classics (Film Club). They also often show films on 35mm. The box office and concession are largely volunteer-run, which gives the place a very warm and inviting atmosphere pre-screenings, and there's even a functioning pay phone in the lobby! Their popcorn is the best in Vancouver--real butter, 12+ free seasonings. They also have an archive of films and print, and an outreach department that runs youth filmmaking camps. They require a $3 annual membership because most of the films shown aren't rated, but ticket prices are fair. Discounts for students + seniors, and their volunteer program grants unlimited free access to films. The Cinematheque is not only the perfect theatre for longtime cinephiles; it's the best place to learn more about essential art-house cinema.

    A small theatre that regularly has to rely on fundraisers to stay afloat, Cinematheque has the best…read morepopcorn of any movie theatre in the city and gives you the option of topping your snack with hot sauce, nutritional yeast or spices. They also use real butter as a topping for their kernels and not some transfat substitute. I agree with Michael's review regarding the seats, but it's a small operation and can't afford the luxury couch-style seating of Vancity Theatre. I had the opportunity to volunteer here during VIFF this year and the community of people who run the venue is made up mostly of volunteers who spend their time keeping the place open year-round. A great place to see arthouse and indie films when you're sick of the blockbusters that make their way to the large corporate multiplexes in the Vancouver area. Definitely worth supporting!

    Photos
    The Cinematheque
    The Cinematheque
    The Cinematheque

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    Rio Theatre - From the balcony of the Rio Theatre for Petunia & The Vipers Dec 27, 2024.

    Rio Theatre

    4.3(101 reviews)
    4.3 kmGrandview-Woodlands, Kensington-Cedar Cottage

    The Rio Theatre, located on Broadway at Commercial Drive (which is extremely transit convenient),…read moreis a fixture of the Commercial Drive neighbourhood. I don't know the entire history of the theatre, but apparently it was built in 1938. The Rio is known for screening cult classic movies and live shows, and in 2012, it fought the outdated BC Liquor board so that movie theatres could serve alcohol -- a big win! In the past, I have gone to a handful of shows (mostly movies showing at the Vancouver International Film Festival), but I didn't go often for two reasons: many of the movies I was interested in started way too late for me (such as at 9:30pm or 11pm), and years ago, I had a really negative experience. I don't recall when the incident happened -- perhaps it was after they had acquired a liquor licence -- but you had to be 19+ to go (that's the legal drinking age here), and while I was much older than 19, apparently I looked young, so I used to get so much shit for my appearance. Shortly before the event, my ID had expired and I was waiting for a new one to come in the mail. In the meantime, I was using my passport as ID. The person at the door was extremely rude and aggressive and made a big deal of specifically asking ME for ID -- from his tone, I think he didn't expect me to be of age. I pulled out my wallet from my purse to grab my ID, then remembered that I didn't have it as it was being renewed, so put it back into my purse and reached for my passport. As I was reaching for my passport, the rude and aggressive employee sneered, "Oh, you forgot your ID, I see, huh?" Yes, even thought this was nearly 15 years ago, I still remember this incident, and it always upset me. The guy was so fucking rude. Also, they used to insist on stamping your hand, and I hate having the inside of my wrist stamped because the ink rubs off on the side of my shirt, so prefer to have the top of my hand stamped. This guy was also rude about this. Anyway, due to events not working with my schedule and my encounter with the rude employee, I had little interest in going to the Rio unless it was for the film festival. However, recently, there have been several events I have been interested in: a screening of The Shawshank Redemption with a Q&A with Gil Bellows in July; a screening of The Room presented by Greg Sestero in August; a screening of Clue in October; a screening of the original Carrie presented by Mike Flanagan in October; and a film festival movie in October. And each time I had a great experience -- no more rude and aggressive employees! The most recent event I went to was John Waters live on December 3. My husband is a huge John Waters fan, so I bought tickets for his show. However, I had only bought the regular tickets, and my husband then told me he would have liked the VIP tickets (better seats, a signed poster, a post-show Q&A). On the Rio website, they clearly state that all sales are final and that tickets cannot be returned or exchanged. So what did I do? Emailed them asking if I could exchange the regular tickets for the more expensive VIP tickets, despite their policy. Their answer was an enthusiastic "absolutely!" and it was easy to exchange the tickets. Amazing customer service! I am a fan of the Rio and I look forward to seeing more shows and events! [Yelp collections: Theaters]

    One of my favourite classic theatres for classics and oddball films! They do shows too but I mostly…read morehere for the movies! Theatre is old but very maintained. Definitely a visit if you are looking for a good classic movie to watch!

    Photos
    Rio Theatre - December Highlights at the Rio Theatre

    December Highlights at the Rio Theatre

    Rio Theatre
    Rio Theatre

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    VIFF Centre - festivals - Updated May 2026

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