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:
13. The Carlton Cinema, Taunton Road, Sparkbrook, B12 8DQ
The Carlton, a distinctive cinema with a half-domed entrance, was the first in Birmingham with a lift, to take patrons up to the balcony. It was hit during a 1940 bombing, killing nineteen people. It was rebuilt in 1943 and ran until 1980, with a focus on South Asian programming in the 1970s. It staged performances from the early 1980s until its demolition in 1985. A memorial garden now commemorates those killed. | Courtesy of the Cinema Theatre Association