The 5 best cinemas in Vancouver

Built in 1938, the Rio is located on the bustling corner of Broadway and Commercial. An independent art house, the fully restored venue hosts a wide variety of entertainment including live shows, late-night movie screenings and live-streamed events like the Oscars and Barack Obama’s 2008 inauguration.

Opened in 2005, the Twilight Drive-In is the only drive-in theatre in Metro Vancouver. Open mid-February to November, admission to the theatre includes not just one but all the movies playing that night. The movie audio is broadcasted over FM radio into your vehicle and retro concession ads play before each show.

Dunbar Theatre has the touch of charm that all independent theatres should have. Boasting large, comfy seats, the cinema is outside of the busy city-centre and is rarely crowded. Most notably, they have the best buttered popcorn in the city.

An adults-only theatre, this modern cinema includes a full bar alongside its concession stand. The multi-screen theatre shows mainstream flicks and indie favourites. The screens are large and so are the reclining seats. Grab a beer or glass of wine to pair with your popcorn and settle into the show.

This small, 192-seat neighbourhood theatre located on the edges of Yaletown focuses on the ‘art and history of Canadian and international cinema’. Run by a local film society, it features films outside of mainstream Hollywood, curating them similar to that of an art museum. Have no fear though, there is still a concession to grab snacks before the show.