Oxford’s home of independent cinema
The Ultimate Picture Palace is Oxford’s oldest independent cinema. Founded in 1911 and community-owned since 2022, we show a mix of independent, international, and classic films all in our cosy single-screen auditorium. Find us on the Cowley Road in East Oxford.
What's on
Today (Thursday 5th November)
15:15
The Social Reckoning 15
18:00
We the Hated 15
1h 29m
20:45
Case 137 12A
1h 56m | French w/ English subtitlesTomorrow (Friday 6th November)
16:00
By Design 15
1h 31m
18:15
Fatherland 12A
1h 22m | German w/ English subtitles
20:30
The Rocky Horror Picture Show 12A
1h 40mComing soon
Dead Souls + Q&A With Director Alex Cox
Monday 9 November
Arizona, 1890: a stranger named Strindler asks a small town to pay for the names of dead Mexican labourers. A meditative political Western from cult director Alex Cox (Repo Man, Moviedrome) who joins us for a Q&A after this one-off screening.
UPP Monthly Film Quiz at Big Society
First Thursday of the Month
Do you know your Pixar from your DreamWorks, and your Golden Lions from your Silver Bears? Can you guess the film purely from a section of dialogue? Head along to Big Society (next door to UPP) on the first Thursday of every month and test your knowledge at the UPP Film Quiz with Keepin’ It Reel.
Stewart Lee – Pea Green Boat Live
Monday 9 to Wednesday 11 November
Legendary comedian Stewart Lee performs his darkly comic tale based on Edward Lear’s ‘The Owl & The Pussy-cat’ live at our cinema with improvised musical accompaniment. These late-night shows are fundraising for the #SaveTheUPP Campaign and will be followed by an audience Q&A and book-signing.
Become a member
Our community of UPP members get exclusive discounts including 2 free tickets, a free drink at our cosy bar and £2 off the price of tickets.
UPP News
Find out the latest news and updates from the UPP and our community
UPP has been shortlisted for BIFA Cinema of the Year
We're incredibly proud to announce that UPP has been shortlisted for the 2026 Cinema of the Year at the prestigious British ... Read more
Pawel Pawlikowski: The Emergence of an Auteur
Pawel Pawlikowski is one of cinema’s most consistent and interesting contemporary film directors and his new film, Fatherland, ... Read more
UPP is one of BIFA’s 15 best cinemas in the UK
We've got some exciting news to share: UPP has been named one of just 15 cinemas on the longlist for Cinema of the Year at the British ... Read more
Hire the cinema
Our unique art-deco venue is the perfect place for private screenings, children and adult birthday parties, fundraisers, premieres, presentations, community events, film festivals and more.