Tucked into the BH2 leisure complex on Exeter Crescent, this is Bournemouth's main town-centre multiplex, and the place most locals mean when they say they are going to the pictures. Ten screens sit above a wide, glass-fronted foyer, with the Lower Gardens laid out just across the road. It opened in 2017, and it still feels it.
What to see and do
The programme is what you would expect from a modern multiplex: the week's blockbusters, family animations, awards-season dramas and the occasional live event broadcast, running from late morning through to late evening. Where the cinema pulls ahead is in how you watch. Most auditoriums pair Dolby digital surround sound with 3D-capable projection, and the standout is the iSense screen, which combines a considerably larger picture, 4K projection and Dolby Atmos sound that moves around and above you. It is the screen worth paying the premium for when a genuinely big film lands.
The other draw is the seating. Recliner and Premier seats run through the building, and they are the reason plenty of people choose here over anywhere else nearby. Seat types differ from screen to screen, though, so it pays to study the seating plan when you book instead of leaving it to chance.
The setting
Being purpose-built means the layout works. The foyer is generous and doubles as a waiting area rather than a corridor, with a Costa coffee bar alongside the usual popcorn and pick-and-mix counters, so arriving early is no hardship. Screens are reached by lift or escalator, the corridors are wide, and the whole place is easier to move around than the older converted cinemas you find in many seaside towns.
Atmosphere shifts with the schedule. Weekday matinees are calm and often half empty, ideal if you want space to yourself. Friday and Saturday evenings bring a proper buzz, with the rest of the BH2 complex busy around it, so a film slots neatly either side of dinner or drinks.
Where it is
Exeter Crescent puts the cinema at the southern edge of the town centre, on the boundary between the shops and the gardens. The Lower Gardens begin directly opposite, and following them downhill takes you to the pier and the beach in a few minutes on foot. Bournemouth's bus and rail stations are both within reach, and the main shopping streets are a couple of minutes north. It is one of the easiest venues in town to get to without a car, and it pairs well with the rest of the things to do in Bournemouth or a wider wander through our explore guide.
Good to know
Booking ahead through the Odeon website is sensible for opening weekends, school holidays and any evening showing, particularly if you want a specific recliner row. Quieter weekday screenings are usually fine to walk into. All screens have accessible spaces, and it is worth contacting the venue directly to confirm companion tickets or any particular access requirements before you travel.
There is no cinema car park, but several large town-centre and seafront car parks sit within a short walk. Check the website for current showtimes, ticket types and prices, as these change week to week.