Cinema and Film in Bognor Regis
Where to watch films in the Bognor area
Cinema in Bognor Regis is anchored by the Picturedrome, the independent Art Deco cinema on the High Street that provides the town with a film-going experience of genuine character. The Picturedrome is covered in detail in its own section, but it deserves mention here as the primary cinema serving the Bognor, Aldwick and Felpham area.
The Picturedrome's programme covers mainstream new releases alongside independent films, classic screenings and special events. The single-screen format means that only one film shows at a time, which limits the range compared with a multiplex but also means that each screening gets the full attention of the cinema and its audience. The Art Deco building adds atmosphere that no modern multiplex can replicate, and the experience of watching a film in a restored historic cinema is qualitatively different from the standard multiplex visit.
For a wider choice of films, the nearest multiplexes are in Chichester, where Cineworld at the Chichester Gate leisure complex offers multiple screens showing the latest releases. The multiplex provides the standard modern cinema experience: comfortable seats, digital projection, surround sound and a choice of screening times across multiple screens. For big blockbusters and family films on opening weekend, the Chichester multiplex is the practical choice.
Outdoor cinema events have become popular across the south of England, and the Bognor area has hosted screenings in Hotham Park and other venues during the summer months. These events combine the film with the setting, offering an experience that is as much about the atmosphere as the movie itself. Picnics, blankets and the gradual darkening of a summer evening create a social event around the screening. The films chosen tend to be crowd-pleasers and classics that work well with a relaxed, outdoor audience.
Butlin's resort shows films as part of its entertainment programme, though these screenings are primarily for resort guests. The resort has the facilities for large-screen presentations, and family films are a regular feature of the entertainment schedule during holiday periods.
The cultural significance of film in Bognor extends beyond the cinemas themselves. The town has a connection to film history through various productions that have used the Sussex coast as a location, and the broader West Sussex area has featured in numerous films and television programmes over the years.
Streaming services have changed how most people watch films, and the impact on cinemas has been significant everywhere. The Picturedrome's survival as an independent cinema in this environment is a testament to the quality of the experience it offers and the loyalty of its audience. Supporting the Picturedrome is not merely a consumer choice but a contribution to the cultural life of the town.
For film enthusiasts, the combination of the Picturedrome for character and independence, Chichester Cineworld for choice and convenience, and occasional outdoor screenings for atmosphere provides a reasonable range of options for a town of Bognor's size.
The future of cinema in the Bognor area depends, as it does nationally, on people choosing to watch films in a shared public space rather than alone on a sofa. The experience of cinema, the big screen, the darkness, the communal reaction to a joke or a shock, the ritual of buying a ticket and taking a seat, is qualitatively different from streaming, and the Picturedrome offers that experience in a building that adds its own layer of character and history. Supporting it is worthwhile on every level.