My Father's Shadow

NOW SHOWING

My Father's Shadow

"Withering Heights"

COMING SOON

"Wuthering Heights"

TCOW

NOW SHOWING

The Chronology of Water

If I Had Legs

COMING SOON

If I Had Legs I'd Kick You

The New Wave

CLASSIC SEASON

The New Wave: French Classics of the 1960s

Ann Lee

COMING SOON

The Testament of Ann Lee

The Secret Agent

COMING SOON

The Secret Agent

Kino Kids Cinema Club

FAMILY CLASSICS EVERY OTHER SUNDAY

Kino Kids Cinema Club

Oxford’s home of independent cinema

The Ultimate Picture Palace is Oxford’s oldest independent cinema. Founded in 1911 and community-owned since 2022, we show a mix of independent, international, and classic films all in our cosy single-screen auditorium. Find us on the Cowley Road in East Oxford.

Oxford cinema The Ultimate Picture Palace

What's on

Tomorrow (Friday 27th February)

14:30

It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley 15
1h 46m
Rising musician Jeff Buckley had only released one album when he died suddenly in 1997. Now, never-before-seen footage, exclusive voice messages, and accounts from those closest to him offer a portrait of the captivating singer.

Book here

17:30

The Chronology of Water 18
2h 8m
In the 1980s, a talented swimmer’s dreams are upended, sending her on a journey through love, loss, and self-discovery. Kristen Stewart makes her directorial debut with an intimate, compelling portrait of resilience, creativity, and finding one’s voice through art.

Book here

20:30

My Father's Shadow 12A
+ Introduction
1h 33m
During Nigeria’s 1993 election crisis, two brothers journey across Lagos with their estranged father, discovering the city’s vastness and political unrest. Told through a child’s eyes, this is a vivid and deeply personal debut from British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr.

Book here


Saturday 28th February

15:15

My Father's Shadow 12A
1h 33m
During Nigeria’s 1993 election crisis, two brothers journey across Lagos with their estranged father, discovering the city’s vastness and political unrest. Told through a child’s eyes, this is a vivid and deeply personal debut from British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr.

Book here

17:30

It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley 15
1h 46m
Rising musician Jeff Buckley had only released one album when he died suddenly in 1997. Now, never-before-seen footage, exclusive voice messages, and accounts from those closest to him offer a portrait of the captivating singer.

Book here

20:30

The Chronology of Water 18
2h 8m
In the 1980s, a talented swimmer’s dreams are upended, sending her on a journey through love, loss, and self-discovery. Kristen Stewart makes her directorial debut with an intimate, compelling portrait of resilience, creativity, and finding one’s voice through art.

Book here


Coming soon

A young woman stands in a lake, getting ready to jump in.

Sirat

Showing from Friday 20 March
Oliver Laxe’s intense, hallucinatory road movie follows a father and son through Morocco as they try to find a missing relative at various sprawling, illegal raves. Winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival 2025.

A Malian man sitting in a field in front of an orange tree.

National Lottery Open Week

Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 March
We’re screening Ultimate Survivor, a documentary about the 110 year history of the UPP, and to have local historian Liz Woolley along to present a history of the cinema in Oxford as part of National Lottery Open Week. Both events are free but booking is essential.

Black and white image of a man in a suit overlaid with textured psychedelic imagery.

Soul To Soul

Showing from Friday 6 March
Documentary about a historic 1971 concert at Black Star Square in Accra, celebrating Ghana’s independence. Over 100,000 people gathered as Ike & Tina Turner, Santana, and other African American musicians created groundbreaking music and experienced Africa for the first time.

Become a member

Our community of UPP members get exclusive discounts including 2 free tickets, a free drink at our cosy bar and £2 off the price of tickets. 

UPP News

Find out the latest news and updates from the UPP and our community

The New Wave: a season of French classics of the 1960s

The New Wave: a season of French classics of the 1960s

Born from rebellion, the French New Wave changed cinema forever. Inspired by the release of Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague ... Read more

Gene Hackman: Everyman to Every Man and Woman

Gene Hackman: Everyman to Every Man and Woman

Like so many things that happened over 50 years ago, it’s hard to believe that someone like Gene Hackman could have ever been a ... Read more

Once Upon a Time in the West – Dreaming of America

Once Upon a Time in the West – Dreaming of America

As you get older, you learn to love westerns all the more. I know there’s still them that say they can’t stand the genre. But for ... Read more

Hire the cinema

Our unique art-deco venue is the perfect place for private screenings, children and adult birthday parties, fundraisers, premieres, presentations, community events, film festivals and more.

Find out more