Birmingham has seen many of its iconic cinemas close their doors or face the wrecking ball over the years.
From grand picture palaces to cosy neighbourhood theatres, these venues once brought the magic of the silver screen to countless Brummies.
Recently, The Electric Cinema, the UK’s oldest working cinema, has also closed its doors. The historic venue, which first opened in 1909, shut down for the foreseeable future on February 29, 2024.
This closure marks the end of an era for a beloved cultural landmark that had been a staple in Birmingham’s cinematic history.
As part of the Wonderland project, Flatpack Projects is mapping Birmingham’s cinematic past and present, uncovering the stories behind these lost treasures.
We’ll look back on 13 old Birmingham cinemas, once iconic landmarks, using archives from Flatpack Projects.
Each image captures a moment in time, telling the story of the rise and fall of these cinematic landmarks.
Here are 13 photos of once-thriving cinemas in Birmingham:
9. Capitol Cinema, Alum Rock Road, Saltley
The 900-seat Capitol Cinema opened in 1925 and was extremely popular with locals in the area. It was even enlarged to 1,407 seats in 1929. It underwent major refurbishment In 1964 before closing its doors in 1996 | Flickr
10. The Futurist Cinemas, 81-91 John Bright St, Birmingham B1 1BL
The Futurist, a significant early cinema in Birmingham, opened in 1919 after war-related delays. Owner Sol Levy prioritized design and music. It was the first local cinema to show 'talkies' in March 1929, causing long queues and ending its orchestra. It split into two screens in the early 80s, became a Cannon, and closed in 1991 with Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. | Courtesy of Flatpack Festival - Wonderland Birmingham
11. Robin Hood cinema, 1332 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 9EF
The Robin Hood cinema, near Robin Hood Lane, opened on 26th December 1927 with Ben-Hur. Designed by Harry E. Farmer, it featured a grand domed entrance and Robin Hood-themed interiors. ABC took over in 1929 and owned it until its 1970 closure. Its last ever showing was “Zulu”. The cinema was demolished and replaced by a supermarket, now a Waitrose. | Courtesy of Flatpack Festival - Wonderland Birmingham
12. The Sheldon cinema, Coventry Road, Sheldon, B26 3DY
The Sheldon, a single-screen cinema with a capacity of 1500, opened on October 10th, 1937. It attracted audiences with its unique offerings, , such as ice creams from Midlands Counties Dairy and advanced systems. In 1976, despite local opposition, plans were made to replace it with a new cinema, store, and hotel. It closed on November 26th, 1977 for a supermarket, with its final screening being Orca (1977). | Courtesy of Flatpack Festival - Wonderland Birmingham