Going to the Movies in Bangkok: A Cinema Geek’s Guide

As a self-professed film nerd, I can’t resist a good movie day… and in my (quasi-)expert opinion, there’s no city on the planet better for watching movies than Bangkok. 

OK, I’ll admit it—half the time, I’m just in it for the popcorn—it helps me direct my ever-shifting attention on the big screen in front of me, so I can truly experience and be immersed another world despite my raging ADHD. 

The endless sprawl of Bangkok has an abundance of cinema choices, from your standard cinema to arthouse offerings to luxury novelty experiences that admittedly cost a pretty penny even in this budget-friendly city. 

However, in this post, I’m going to focus on the typical cinema experience here in the city — the kind where you just show up for a good film, comfortable seats, and (of course)… a few snacks. 

So if you’re new to Bangkok and you find yourself a bit overwhelmed by the process of how to go about finding a movie, buying tickets, and making the most of your day at the cinema, this guide has you covered!

Where to Watch: Picking a Cinema in Bangkok

Bangkok is practically overflowing with cinemas; locals love going to the movies. You’re never too far from a good movie, whether you’re in the heart of Sukhumvit or out on the edges of the city.

Two major chains dominate the scene: SF Cinema and Major Cineplex. Download their apps or visit their websites, and you’ll easily find almost every movie option in the city.

SF Cinema

SF Cinema has locations all over Bangkok, including its two most popular branches at Terminal 21 (BTS Asok) and CentralWorld (BTS Phloen Chit). They tend to have larger cinemas and more screens, meaning more variety when it comes to films.

SF also offers upscale options like the Bed Cinema at CentralWorld (also available in Lad Prao and Crystal Ekamai Ramintra, though less convenient). While these upscale experiences are tempting, they are on the pricier side! Great for a date or a special occasion, but probably not your go-to movie day.

Major

Major is another massive chain with cinemas in tons of malls, even in the outskirts of Bangkok. There are more Major cinemas overall, but many are smaller theaters and they don’t always have the more complex offerings like IMAX.

Also keep in mind that theaters further out from the center of Bangkok likely have fewer English-language movies available, and sometimes the movies are dubbed in Thai, so check the app to be sure what the language is!

Smaller Theaters

There are also a handful of arthouse theaters that show more than just the blockbusters. These are also often cheaper and have some more interesting variety and they’re often the locations that participate in film festivals where they showcase international films, like the Taiwan Film Festival I attended recently.

Whenever possible, I support House Samyan in Samyan Mitrtown Mall, as it’s one of the few non-chain options left in Bangkok. The old House location in RCA, Scala, and many other indie cinemas have now closed, so be sure to support independent film houses if you can!

How to Find Out What’s Playing

It took me a while to figure out how to find movies in Bangkok, especially because the release schedule here is often quite different than other countries. We often have to wait a little longer for films to release here — sometimes more than 3 months after it is first released!

I typically check the apps for both Major and SF, as well as House Samyan’s website, in order to see what’s playing and then I go from there… which brings me to my next point!

Buying Movie Tickets in Bangkok

Once you’ve found your movie, it’s time to get those tickets! Don’t worry about language barriers — it’s easy to get tickets without even having to say a word!

I typically buy movie tickets on my phone using the app or, in the case of House Samyan, their website.

It’s also pretty straightforward if you want to buy a ticket at the theater itself, as the majority of movie theaters have touchscreen ticket kiosks so you can easily buy tickets if you struggle with speaking Thai!

Are Movies Available in English?

Virtually all English-language movies in Bangkok’s main tourist center are shown in English with Thai subtitles. Sometimes, a theater will dub the movie (this is more common with children’s films as well as in cinemas in the far outskirts of Bangkok). You may want to prioritize theaters in the interior of Bangkok for this reason.

On the apps, you will see a sound icon for the language (typically written as EN or ENG) as well as the subtitles language (typically written as TH for Thai). If it’s a Thai film, the audio will be in Thai and the subtitles will be in English.

If the language of the film is neither English nor Thai, it will typically be shown in its original language and have both English and Thai subtitles. This is usually written as (EN/TH) on the app.

Tips for Seeing Movies in Bangkok

Take Advantage of ‘Movie Day’: Wednesday is Movie Day in Bangkok, which means nearly every cinema (except the luxury ones) offers special prices. Tickets are usually only 150 baht (~$4.50 USD) on this day. It’s a great deal if you’re a film lover on a budget!

Become an SF Cinema Member: It’s a little tricky to sign up for an SF membership (you need to do it in person and bring your passport—I don’t think a photo will suffice), but once you’re a member, you get two movie days per week! That’s right—members can catch movies for only 150 baht on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It’s a little-known secret I’m sharing with you here!

Save Money on Snacks: If you’re like me and snacks are a big part of the movie experience, here’s a tip: you can pre-order your snacks through the SF app when booking your tickets. This often gives you a better deal than buying them individually at the cinema. And if you didn’t pre-order? Look for the snack package deals at the cinema; they’re typically a better value than buying everything à la carte.

Be Prepared for the A/C: While all of Bangkok overdoses on A/C, movie theaters take it to the next level. Add to the fact that you’ll be sitting still for hours, and also possibly sipping on an icy-cold drink and you will get chilly…. fast! Be sure to bring a sweatshirt or wear long pants if you can. To be honest, I’ve been known to bring my own small IKEA throw blanket at times, too, because I’m just that dedicated to curating the perfect movie-watching vibes.

Seats are Assigned: Rather than many theaters where you simply buy a ticket, in Bangkok you pick your seats in advance when booking your tickets. Be sure to follow your seat number and sit in the right section to avoid being asked to move.

Look Out for Promotions: Movie theaters run promotions from time to time, and the best way to find them is through their apps. I’ve snagged tickets for as low as 69 baht (~$2 USD) just by checking the Major app! This app tends to have better deals than SF, I find.

Previews and Ads: Be prepared for a lot of previews and ads before the main feature. I’ve sat through up to 30 minutes of commercials and movie previews at SF or Major theaters, which is why I sometimes show up 20 minutes late. However, House Samyan starts the movie almost exactly on time, so if you’re a stickler for punctuality, this is your place.

The King’s Anthem: Every movie theater in Bangkok plays the national anthem and an homage to the king before the film starts. Some people stand during this part, others don’t — just be polite and don’t speak loudly during this part.

Cost of Going to the Movies in Bangkok

Ticket prices in Bangkok vary, but here’s an idea of what to expect at some popular theaters. To find these prices, I looked on the app for a recently released movie and checked the weekday prices. Note: Add about 30 baht per ticket if you go on the weekend.

• Major Cineplex Sukhumvit (Major):
  • Normal seats: 240 baht
  • Premium seats: 270 baht
  • Opera chair for two: 700 baht (350 baht per person)
• Quartier CineArt IMAX (Major):
  • Normal seats: 500 baht
  • Premium seats: 550 baht
  • Opera chair for two: 1,600 baht (800 baht per person)
• Paragon Cineplex (Major):
  • Normal seats: 350 baht
  • Premium seats: 400 baht
  • Enigma (VIP): 4,000 baht for two (2,000 baht per person)
• SF Emprive Emporium:
  • Normal seats: 400 baht
  • First-class seats: 2,200 baht (1,100 baht each)
• SF Central World:
  • Normal seats: 280 baht
  • Premium seats: 310 baht
  • Queen bed seat: 2200 baht for two (1,100 baht per person)

My Favorite Bangkok Cinemas

I’ll be writing a full post on my favorite cinemas in Bangkok soon, but here’s a quick rundown of where I like to go, rated mostly on proximity and convenience:

• House Samyan: Great for indie films and not a massive chain. It’s also cheaper for tickets and snacks, but it’s a bit inconvenient for me since it’s not near a BTS station.
• Major Cineplex Sukhumvit: Convenient for me location-wise since I live nearby, and often has some great deals.
• SF Cinema Terminal 21: This is a go-to for me since they have two movie days a week, making it a more affordable option than other places. They only offer digital cinema here, though—not IMAX.
• Emprivé Cineclub (SF): A bit fancy and pricier, but not a huge jump in price. The seats are comfy, and they even provide free blankets—perfect for surviving the Bangkok A/C. Does not participate in movie day.
• Siam Paragon (Major): A gorgeous cinema with tons of options but also on the pricier side, especially for premium experiences like the smaller VIP cinemas. Does not participate in movie day, sadly.
• SF Cinema World: Another great choice with lots of premium options if you feel like splurging, as well as lots of digital choices. This also has two movie days per week like Terminal 21, but only for their standard digital theaters, not specialty options.