English Language Cinema in Hong Kong

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English Language Cinema in Hong Kong

Many films are shown in English (or with English subtitles) in Hong Kong and most cinemas are modern and comfortable. International films are shown in the original language with Chinese subtitles or may be dubbed into Cantonese. Sometimes, the same movie may be available in both the original version and a dubbed version playing in the same cinema at the same time. Locally-made films will often be shown with English subtitles. Cinema listings usually state the language the film will be shown in and which subtitles are available.

Cinemas in the city districts generally screen more English-language movies. The film schedule generally changes on Thursdays but there are exceptions and box office hits usually have a longer run in the theatres.

To find out about a film and its language, use the title search option of the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), a complete film resource with information on directors, actors, reviews and awards.

Hong Kong is one of the world's major film production centres, mainly for action, romance or comedies. The government offers foreign film makers incentives to come to Hong Kong to make movies. 

Cinema Listings and Bookings

Tickets can be bought online or by telephone with a major credit card. Cityline provides a ticketing service for United Artists theatres, Sunbeam Theatre, Director's Club and The Drive-In Theatre for an additional service charge.

• Cityline
  Tel: 2317 6666
  Website

As well as buying tickets online, it's possible to see reviews, check the languages films are showing in, the times and venues.

• The government-sponsored site, ESD gives cinema addresses and links to websites: Click here

Cinema listings are published in the newspapers. The main English-language daily is the South China Morning Post. It carries cinemas advertisements, a screening schedule and contact numbers. 

Ticket prices vary depending on the show time with reduced rates for off-peak time screenings in mornings and afternoons. Special prices are common on Tuesdays. Some cinema chains sell "cards" which allow customers to pay once and see an unlimited number of films in a given period.

Hong Kong Cinemas

Many of the cinemas are run by familiar international names. The big box office hits are usually shown at all the main venues (and in the original language, for example English).

Hong Kong has five main cinema chains: 

• United Artists Cinemas (UA)
• Broadway Circuit  
• Golden Harvest
• AMC Cinemas  
• MCL

There are a number of other smaller independent cinemas, but these mostly show locally produced films and films in Chinese.

United Artists (UA)

There are now seven UA cinemas with approximately 38 screens between them in the Hong Kong area.

• For listings and bookings: Click here

Addresses and phone numbers are accessible via this link by using the map. Likely to be of particular interest is the UA Citygate and City Plaza both of which show lots of English-language movies and also English-language cartoons for kids. The UA Times Square also shows a lot of English-language movies.

Broadway Circuit

Since its initial opening in the 1950s, Broadway Circuit has gradually developed into the largest cinema chain in Hong Kong. Operated by Edko Films Ltd with venues across the territory, it covers all the major locations in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories.

Broadway Circuit currently has 11 cinemas with approximately 54 screens between them in the Hong Kong area.

• Broadway Circuit
  Tel: 2388 3188
• For listings and bookings: Click here

Tickets can be bought on the circuit's website or through its hotline. The website provide details on movie schedules, location of cinemas and information on parking availability.

The chain includes the new Broadway Cinematheque, which as well as showing a diverse selection of internationally acclaimed films also has a café, bookshop and CD/DVD store.

Golden Harvest

Golden Harvest is a film production, distribution, and exhibition company based in Hong Kong. The making of the company was its 1971 deal with soon-to-be martial arts superstar Bruce Lee. In later years it went on to produce almost all the Jackie Chan films. It now produces fewer films and concentrates on cinema management in Hong Kong (5 cinemas) and mainland China.

• For listings and booking: Click here

MCL

MCL has four cinemas – MCL Kornhill, Silvercord, Metro and JP.

• For information and online booking: Click here

AMC Cinemas

AMC is part of the North American AMC chain and has two cinemas; the AMC Festival Walk 11, located in Festival Walk, Kowloon Tong, has 11 screens and is the largest cinema in the region. It shows English-language movies.

Further Information

• For a full list of cinemas and their website links see The AngloFILE: Movies, Cinemas & Films