1 4DX at VOX Cinemas
Movie buffs talk a good game about plots, acting, directing, cinematography and general cinematic magic. What they don’t say often enough for our liking is that a film needs vibrating action seats, water effects such as rain being sprayed into a cinema hall, wind being blown at the audience or a variety of scents being wafted into the screening at opportune moments.
Daily. Call for timings. VOX Cinemas, Yas Mall, Yas Island, uae.voxcinemas.com (600599 905).
2 Beach at Habtoor
The JBR backdrop, a generous supply of beanbags, a full bar, fresh pizza – all of these words appeal and Time Out is happy to give as many thumbs up as we can muster. Especially as the curated films are a heady combination of crowd pleasers, award favourites and critically-acclaimed gems.
Sat-Mon, 8pm. Urban Outdoor Cinema, Habtoor Grand Resort, Al Falea Street, www.urbanoutdoorcinema.com.
3 Cinema Akil pop-ups
This independent cinema group has screened films at more than 60 pop-up locations since it emerged in 2014. Although it now has a permanent home in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue cultural quarter, it still does roam around. Particularly adept at finding Arabic films it also has critically acclaimed hits from around the world. It sometimes shows at Al Hosn and Warehouse 421 in Abu Dhabi, too.
Call for timings. Cinema Akil, Warehouse 68, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, www.cinemaakil.com (04 223 1139).
4 Cinesplash
Take a break from waterslides next time you’re in Yas Waterworld and strap in for a 5D cinema experience. This specially made film is enhanced with moving seats, waterfalls, water explosions and even a flood that will come up to your knees. Sitting in a swimming costume and screaming out loud might be frowned on in a real cinema (at least it was last time we tried it), but here it is to be expected.
Daily. 10am-7pm. Cinesplash, Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, www.yaswaterworld.com (600 511 115).
5 Classics with Cinema Space
Lovers of film are attracted to the cultural quarter of Saadiyat Island to see the carefully curated films of Cinema Space. Their rewards are restored classics, world cinema and the occasional family favourite. All with an independent feel and subtitles aplenty.
Sat and Mon. Check for timings. Cinema Space, Manarat Al Saadiyat, www.cinemaspace-abudhabi.splashthat.com.
6 Screen X at Reel Cinema
Sometimes you need a movie experience so big the screen just can’t handle it. Screen X claims to be a 270-degree experience with not just an enormous central screen, but also movie action being projected on to the side walls of the cinema as well for an even more immersive experience.
Daily. Call for timings. Screen X, Reel Cinema, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai www.reelcinemas.ae (800 38224 6255).
7 VOX Brunch
This isn’t exactly the breakfast + lunch = brunch equation we have come to love. As this is dinner + cinema, would it be acceptable to call it Dubai’s first true dinema experience? We’ve waited five years to use that word and will accept the mini hotdogs, quesadillas, French fries and drinks and watch just about anything up on the roof of the Deira Aloft hotel.
Dhs95-140. Fridays. From 5pm. Aloft City Centre Deira, Deira, www.voxcinemas.com (04 210 3335).
