BFI Southbank Reviews

Love it, wish they had better discounts for members but great venue. Great varieties of films

So glad I finally had an excuse to visit BFI Southbank! Sure, it's a bit hidden away, but go on and investigate! What a beautiful building. With a huge glass front, the main lobby is big and bright, offering that really amazing "at the movies" special vibe. We went for a movie premiere and enjoyed a really positive experience in a super comfy theatre. I also recommend popping over the bar/restaurant at the back for some wine and delicious nibbles! Good excuse or not, you need to visit BFI Southbank, it's a London treasure.

The movie was GREAT, however the studio we were in needs to be looked after more. CLEANING the floors and chairs will go a long way.

Not a place to visit on a hot day for a packed out screening - incredibly stuffy and not much room between seats. Rows are also very close together meaning if you need the toilet halfway through the screening you'll need to ask everyone else to stand up for you to get out. Would highly reccomend sitting in the front as there is a considerable gap between the seats and screen.

It's a very nice place. Great for children and families. Loads of activities and fun things to do for the kids. Convenient location near Waterloo station. Must visit.

Great cinema that shows classic films. Recommended.

BFI is amazing. Fantastic cinemas and great films (including great Science Fiction and Horror).

Best cinema in London. Great movies, loads of older throwbacks and themed months for films. Great film library and shop as well!

It always amazes me that this is seemingly the most affordable place in London to see a film - I'd pay extra to hang out here. And the free mediatheque is amazing and fairly underused from what I can tell. Always five stars.

Very London. Good Rioja, A good place to escape to.

An amazing building that would excite any film enthusiast. Equipped with cinema theatre screens, cafe and several places to hold informal meetings/ social spot or simply read a book.

The restaurant has food but it isn't presented in an appetising way.

Better than any cinema you've ever been. Nice coffee shop and a cozy bar to have a calm evening.

As a life-long film buff, I love a good cinema that shows a wide array of new and classic films. The cinema itself is comfortable. Good seats, big screen, nice sound quality. There is a bar and good toilet facilities.
Just recently saw Blues Brothers on the big screen with gueat speaker John Landis!!

Doing great job promoting British and other World Cultures

Took my son to see the screening of a movie at the BFI. He loved it, so did I.

Comfy seats, modern place, good prices and a great selection of movies

Best cinema in the UK, friendly, enthusiastic staff and comfy chairs make for a lovely viewing experience.

Also a fine bar next to the Thames for after the film, perfect for people watching whilst looking at the river.

Always gr8 stuff 2 do there
Free Loos
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Very friendly inviting venue with lovely armchairs.

Certainly worth a visit if you can find a film that you like the sound of.

Gotta give a shout out to the guy working the door who overheard me surprising my sister with a trip to the movies (Muppet Christmas Carol), then told her it was County Lines to throw her off the scent

Its a good place but asscess when walking imparid is diffcuilt also loos not convenient

We went there today for the Sci Fiction event and it was brilliant. The place hosted cultural events and they have a pretty cool bar which is ideal for chilling out.

Even if I dont go to see a film just pop in anyway when I'm on the Southbank for the well stocked shop, a good coffee and the general creative buzz there is about the place. Still remember the museum of the moving image and think London maybe deserves a branch.

I usually enjoy the BFI film screenings but today the staff showed a terrible display of force against a woman with a disability in the theatre. She was forcibly removed from the film by two security members all because she laughed loudly. I would definitely not return due to this horrible treatment of another human being.
The box office manager issued refunds but was not able to explain the actions of the staff.

Love your Cinema, hate your website. Impossible to book tickets on a mobile and even worse on a laptop. Still love the Cinema though

One of my favourite places in London. Catch classic movies, new releases, or relax in the bar by the river. There s even secondhand book stalls outside most days.

Brilliant riverside vie and a great meeting point. Although a bit vanilla over overall

A truly original cinema experience, great movies from great times, for every taste and culture.

Very London. Good Rioja, A good place to escape to.

Everything about the BFI Southbank is marvellous! The location, the programming, the atmosphere, the history.

Lovely place to host Russian Film Week. Was my first time and we enjoyed a lot. Location is lovely too.

Awesome ambience with great staff! Definitely a must to spend a late afternoon.

this is a fantastic cinema that shows an array of interesting films, with comfy seats, helpful discounts, a fun shop, and a place to buy food and drink. the location is easy, in central london, with a lovely surrounding area with lots of other places to walk, shop, and eat. however, i've never once seen a member of staff that seemed genuinely happy, or even pretend to be nice or satisfied with their jobs.

now, you certainly can not go wrong here if you love your films .

Great for hang-outs, nice public spaces. Also shows fab films.

Welcoming location in Southbank, very close to the river, site in one of the London's most iconic place. BFI Southbank it is the HOUSE of the cinema and the Culture.

You can't beat red velvet cushioned seats when watching a film.
Love that there's always something going on here for all types of film fans and all ages.
A landmark for culture in film.
A must visit

Amazing surprise - great selection of movies and nice environment to stick around. Shop has a good selection of memorabilia. Service from the cafe / bar staff should be a lot better, though

I have been a member here for sometime now great to get invites to one off viewings and after movie talks.......also good to catch-up on vintage movies I have missed.

Went to see Breathless. Great 1960 movie by Jean Luc Goddard.

The BFI is a wonderful venue with great staff and fun varied events/screenings.

huge cinema, really nice movie selection and sometimes special movie events. shop for movie lovers with books, posters, dvds etc.

Saw a 3 hour documentary which was great. Unfortunately, Screen 2 was apparently designed for children; I'm average height and didn't have enough legroom to sit without my knees being crushed up to the seat in front.

Friendly staff, well-executed events venue and a terrific film calendar.

Lovely location on the River Thames, great views, interesting drinks and we got there before it was too busy! An enjoyable evening.

I love this place. The Film library is mind blowing.

Great service. Lovely food. Only s Mr 5 minute away from Waterloo train station. There are several screens here

Always great place to visit at the weekend and enjoy the South Bank!

Sleek, comfortable decor with sleek, efficient service. Prices to match though.

I would do the meal + movie deal again but it isn't stated that you get a separate menu

Love coming here to watch films. Great shop too and really helpful staff. The bar is really nice to chill out anytime and escape the south bank.

Amazing place to chill out. cafe on sight so you can get a tea or coffee and relax on comfy sofas. Restaurant to have a meal at too if you like. I love the screen area, you can sit and watch some old movies or TV shows. Cinema inside too if you enjoy independent movies. Plenty to do here and very relaxing place.

Great if you want to hang out and gave coffee or drink. Cinema has excellent selections of classic movies all week and great movie memorabilia stuff like big DVDs for sale.

Good service and range of drinks. Screens look good

Excellent choice of films being screened.
Very nice and almost cosy large bar.

Well placed bar on the Southbank where you can hang out with the liberal elite. Limited selection of beers but those they did have were good.

Great option that is often overlooked. The studio is tiny, less than 50 seats, and feels like a big tv in a sitting room but for the right film it is great. The shop is well worth a visit with some fun merchandise and as you would expect a great range of films but at a surprisingly reasonable price.

Simply a must-visit for serious film fans. The variety and breadth in offer are astounding. Excellent bar, shop, and lounges too.

Great little complex, and worthy of a wander through the library and associated shop, and even catching an unusual film screening

Love working out of this place. Excellent venue, really great nibbles and drinks at the bar, and just a general beautiful, comfortable environment.

Very fine and dandy after recent renovations. Still achieving core purpose splendidly.

4 screen cinema (showing a mix of modern and classic cinema) along with many special events with stars from in front of and behind the camera coming in to so talks and q&a's. It also has 2 big bars and restaurants, a shop full.of film related goods, the BFI's national library (which is free to access) and the fantastic, recently remodelled mediatheque (also free).
The best cinema in london bar none

Bar behind a book case. Interesting idea but not pulled off that we'll. Also pricey

Love the BFI but they have to make their mind up if they're a film venue or a fish restaurant #Stinks

Just a lovely, calm, and relaxing place to spend time with your friends and family