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.
What's on
Today (Thursday 12th February)
21:00
Hamnet 12A
2h 6mTomorrow (Friday 13th February)
15:00
The History of Sound 15
18:00
H Is for Hawk 12A
1h 55m
20:45
No Other Choice 15
2h 19m | Korean w/ English subtitlesComing soon
Classics Season: The New Wave
February & March
Born from rebellion, the French New Wave changed cinema forever. Inspired by the release of Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague, a new comedy-drama that recreates the shooting of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless, this season revisits the filmmakers who tore up the rulebook in the late 1950s and 60s.
BFI Film Academy Workshop
Wednesday 25th February 3pm
Are you aged 16-25, have an amazing idea for a film, but don’t have the budget? Join us to hear from some young BFI Film Academy funded filmmakers, as well as special guest speaker Ben Wheatley. Tickets cost £5 (and includes entry to our Q&A screening of Bulk).
Bulk + Director Q&A (Ben Wheatley)
Wednesday 25th February 6pm
When an ambitious scientist takes his string theory experiments too far, his “brane” explodes, and someone is left to deal with the consequences. Join us for a one-off screening of Ben Wheatley’s mind-bending sci-fi thriller, and a playful love letter to filmmaking.
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
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
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
UPP Staff & Volunteers Films of the Year 2025
As the year draws to a close, we’ve been looking back on the films that stayed with us long after the credits rolled. From ... 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.