Cinemas became a major news topic following the releases of Barbie and Oppenheimer which helped the film industry bounce back from the pandemic.
But its not all good news, with one of Birmingham's most prized assets closing its doors - and under threat of demolition. There has been upset across the city and beyond at the sudden closure of The Electric cinema on Station Street. The glamorous art deco building was Britain's oldest working cinema, serving audiences since 1909 - thousands have signed a petition to save The Electric.
Birmingham still has a number of top cinemas for people across the city to enjoy the best new films in the city centre including, Everyman Mailbox, the Mockingbird Cinema in Digbeth and the Odeon on Broadway Plaza, to name a few.
Although times have changed as the city was once home to many cinemas and there are several that no longer in use. Although number of the old buildings have been knocked down, cinema buildings are still a fascinating important tool when examining the history of Birmingham through the decades.
Some of the lost buildings which once showed Hollywood blockbusters are still standing in the city today although they are somewhat rundown. So, let’s take a look at Birmingham’s lost cinemas.
5. Kingstanding Odeon, Kettlehouse Road
The Odeon at Kingstanding was a 1930s cinema in the Odeon chain. Though closed as a cinema in 1962, the building survives as a bingo hall and is Grade II listed | Flickr Photo: Flickr
6. The Kingsway Cinema, Kings Heath
The Kingsway was destroyed in a fire in 2011. It operated as a cinema until 1980 and was used as a bingo hall in 2007. In 2020, a pop up cinema screening events were held outside the cinema. Much of the building was demolished in the fire,but plans were revealed last year to revamp the site and turn it into a cinema again with a restaurant - but as it stands, the building remains closed today | Google
7. ABC Cinema, New Street
This is the site of the old ABC Cinema located on New Street. The original theatre here was screening films as early as 1896. The Forum Cinema, as it was initially called, was re-named ABC in 1961. It was closed in April 1986 | Flickr
8. Paramount Theatre, New Street
The Paramount Theatre opened in September 1937. It was sold to Odeon in 1942 and still operates today. The Paramount Theatre was initially one of just seven Paramount Theatres in the UK. The cinema is now divided into eight screens at the Odeon | Flickr