Best Movie Theatres in Ottawa

Ottawa has 12 movie theatres spread across the city, covering everything from IMAX blockbusters and VIP dining to $5 second-run films and independent art-house programming. Whether you want the biggest screen, the cheapest ticket, or a film you won't find anywhere else, there's a cinema for it.

IMAX & Premium Experiences

Landmark Cinemas 24 Kanata

Landmark Cinemas 24 Kanata is Ottawa's largest movie theatre with 24 screens including a dedicated IMAX theatre. Located at 801 Kanata Avenue, it serves the west end and draws moviegoers from across the region. All auditoriums feature recliner seating. With 24 screens, you'll find the widest selection of films playing at any given time.

Neighbourhood: Kanata
Screens: 24
Highlights: IMAX, recliner seating, Ottawa's largest cinema
Google Rating: 4.4 (4,887 reviews)

Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa

Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa is Ottawa's most feature-rich cinema, with 16 screens and five premium formats. The IMAX screen, installed in December 2006, was the first in the Ottawa area. The theatre also offers 4DX (motion seats with wind, mist, and scents), UltraAVX with Dolby Atmos, D-BOX motion seats, and ScreenX 270-degree panoramic projection.

Neighbourhood: East End (Gloucester)
Screens: 16
Highlights: IMAX, 4DX, UltraAVX, D-BOX, ScreenX
Google Rating: 4.3 (5,885 reviews)

Multiplex Cinemas

Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa

Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa on Carling Avenue was Ottawa's first megaplex when it opened in 1998. The 12-screen theatre offers UltraAVX with Dolby Atmos, ScreenX, and recliner seating throughout. A solid west-central option near Bayshore.

Neighbourhood: Nepean
Screens: 12
Highlights: UltraAVX, ScreenX, recliner seating, Ottawa's first megaplex (1998)
Google Rating: 4.4 (5,868 reviews)

Cineplex Odeon South Keys

Cineplex Odeon South Keys is a 12-screen neighbourhood cinema at 2214 Bank Street in the South Keys shopping area. The smaller screening rooms offer a more intimate viewing experience compared to Ottawa's larger multiplexes. Convenient transit access via the nearby South Keys station on the Trillium Line (O-Train Line 2).

Neighbourhood: Nepean (South Keys)
Screens: 12
Highlights: Classic neighbourhood cinema, transit-accessible
Google Rating: 3.8 (1,433 reviews)

Cineplex Cinemas Lansdowne & VIP

Cineplex Cinemas Lansdowne & VIP at Lansdowne in The Glebe is Ottawa's go-to for a premium adults-only cinema experience. Four VIP auditoriums (19+) offer in-seat food and drink service with a menu of burgers, poutine, snack platters, cocktails, beer, and wine. A dedicated VIP lounge is available before the show. The theatre also has UltraAVX with Dolby Atmos and D-BOX motion seats.

Neighbourhood: The Glebe
Screens: 10 (4 VIP, 1 UltraAVX, 5 standard)
Highlights: VIP 19+ with in-seat dining, licensed VIP lounge, UltraAVX, D-BOX
Google Rating: 4.3 (4,953 reviews)

Cineplex Odeon Barrhaven

Cineplex Odeon Barrhaven is the only movie theatre in Ottawa's southwest suburb, serving the rapidly growing Barrhaven community. A 7-screen neighbourhood cinema focused on major studio releases and family programming.

Neighbourhood: Barrhaven
Screens: 7
Highlights: Only cinema in Barrhaven, family-friendly, community cinema feel
Google Rating: 4.1 (1,290 reviews)

Landmark Cinemas 10 Orleans

Landmark Cinemas 10 Orleans is a modern multiplex on Innes Road in Orleans. When it opened on December 18, 2009, it was the first theatre in the Landmark chain to feature 100% digital auditoriums. All 10 screens have reclining seats and stadium seating, and ScreenX format is available. Private rooms are available for birthday parties and events.

Neighbourhood: Orleans
Screens: 10
Highlights: All-digital, reclining seats, ScreenX, birthday party rooms
Google Rating: 4.6 (2,953 reviews)

Budget & Second-Run Cinemas

Cine-Starz Orleans

Cine-Starz Orleans at 250 Centrum Boulevard shows second-run films — recent releases that have finished their first-run — at a fraction of regular ticket prices. Despite the lower prices, the 6-screen theatre has reclining seats, a full bar, and a dine-in menu.

Neighbourhood: Orleans
Screens: 6
Highlights: Second-run films at discount prices, reclining seats, full bar, dine-in menu
Google Rating: 3.9 (43 reviews)

Cine-Starz St. Laurent Centre

Cine-Starz St. Laurent Centre is a 5-screen discount cinema inside St. Laurent Shopping Centre. The cinema at this location dates back to October 10, 1968, when it opened as a twin theatre. It was expanded to a 5-plex in 1991, and has operated under several names including Rainbow Cinemas and Imagine Cinemas before becoming Cine-Starz in February 2020. Daily early bird specials make it one of the most affordable ways to see a movie in Ottawa.

Neighbourhood: East End
Screens: 5
Highlights: Second-run films, daily early bird specials, inside St. Laurent Shopping Centre, LRT-accessible
Google Rating: 4.3 (1,029 reviews)

Independent & Historic Cinemas

ByTowne Cinema

ByTowne Cinema at 325 Rideau Street is one of Ottawa's most cherished cultural institutions. This 650-seat single-screen repertory cinema shows independent, foreign, and art-house films, typically a different film each day. The building opened on February 10, 1947 as the Nelson Theatre, and was renamed ByTowne on October 1, 1988.

Neighbourhood: Downtown
Screens: 1 (650 seats)
Highlights: Independent and foreign films, repertory programming, different film daily, historic 1947 building
Google Rating: 4.6 (1,223 reviews)

Mayfair Theatre

Mayfair Theatre at 1074 Bank Street is Ottawa's oldest surviving movie theatre, open since December 5, 1932. The single-screen cinema features stunning Spanish Revival architecture — a rare atmospheric auditorium that has been designated a heritage building. Programming mixes second-run films at discount prices with repertory classics, cult movie nights, and special events.

Neighbourhood: Old Ottawa South
Screens: 1
Highlights: Open since 1932, heritage-designated Spanish Revival interior, repertory and cult films, budget-friendly
Google Rating: 4.7 (1,196 reviews)

Ottawa Family Cinema

Ottawa Family Cinema is a unique not-for-profit, volunteer-run cinema at the Rideau Community Hub on St-Laurent Boulevard. It operates on Saturdays only, typically screening family-friendly second-run films at 2:00pm. All proceeds are donated back to the community through the Family Movie Trust Fund. Select shows feature 3D projection and live performances before the film.

Neighbourhood: East End
Screens: 1
Highlights: Volunteer-run, not-for-profit, Saturday matinees only, all proceeds go to community, birthday party packages
Google Rating: 4.6 (70 reviews)

Comparison Table

Theatre	Location	Screens	Special Features	Price Range
Landmark Cinemas 24 Kanata	Kanata	24	IMAX, Recliner Seating	$$
Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa	East End	16	IMAX, 4DX, UltraAVX, D-BOX, ScreenX	$$
Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa	Nepean	12	UltraAVX, ScreenX, Recliner Seating	$$
Cineplex Odeon South Keys	Nepean	12	Classic Cinema, Transit-Accessible	$$
Cineplex Lansdowne & VIP	The Glebe	10	VIP 19+ Dining, UltraAVX, D-BOX	$$$
Landmark Cinemas 10 Orleans	Orleans	10	All-Digital, ScreenX, Recliners	$$
Cineplex Odeon Barrhaven	Barrhaven	7	Neighbourhood Cinema	$$
Cine-Starz Orleans	Orleans	6	Second-Run, Full Bar, Dine-In	$
Cine-Starz St. Laurent	East End	5	Second-Run, Early Bird Specials	$
ByTowne Cinema	Downtown	1	Repertory, Independent, Foreign Films	$$
Mayfair Theatre	Old Ottawa South	1	Heritage 1932 Building, Cult Films	$
Ottawa Family Cinema	East End	1	Volunteer-Run, Saturdays Only	$

By Neighbourhood

Downtown / Centretown

ByTowne Cinema (Rideau Street) — independent and foreign films

The Glebe / Old Ottawa South

Cineplex Lansdowne & VIP — VIP dining and premium formats
Mayfair Theatre (Bank Street) — historic repertory cinema

Kanata

Landmark Cinemas 24 Kanata — IMAX, Ottawa's largest cinema

Orleans

Landmark Cinemas 10 Orleans — first-run multiplex
Cine-Starz Orleans — second-run discount cinema

East End / Gloucester

Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa — IMAX, 4DX, and premium formats
Cine-Starz St. Laurent Centre — second-run discount cinema
Ottawa Family Cinema — Saturday matinees for families

Nepean / South End

Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa (Carling Avenue) — UltraAVX, ScreenX
Cineplex Odeon South Keys (Bank Street) — neighbourhood cinema

Barrhaven

Cineplex Odeon Barrhaven — the area's only cinema

Tips

Best IMAX experience: Landmark Cinemas 24 Kanata and Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa both have IMAX screens. Scotiabank was the first in the area (2006)
Best date night: Cineplex Lansdowne VIP offers 19+ auditoriums with in-seat dining and a licensed lounge, surrounded by Lansdowne's restaurants in The Glebe
Best value: Cine-Starz Orleans and Cine-Starz St. Laurent show second-run films at discount prices. Mayfair Theatre also offers budget-friendly tickets. Ottawa Family Cinema has some of the lowest prices in the city
Most unique experience: Scotiabank Theatre is the only cinema in Ottawa with 4DX (motion seats with wind, mist, and scents) and ScreenX (270-degree panoramic projection)
Best for film lovers: ByTowne Cinema shows a curated selection of independent, foreign, and repertory films — a different film each day
Best historic atmosphere: Mayfair Theatre has been open since 1932 and features a rare Spanish Revival atmospheric interior designated as a heritage building
Transit tip: Cine-Starz St. Laurent is accessible via the Confederation Line LRT at St-Laurent Station. Cineplex South Keys is near the Trillium Line at South Keys Station

FAQ

What is the largest movie theatre in Ottawa?

Landmark Cinemas 24 Kanata is Ottawa's largest movie theatre with 24 screens, including an IMAX theatre. It features recliner seating across all auditoriums.

Which Ottawa cinemas have IMAX?

Two Ottawa cinemas have IMAX screens: Landmark Cinemas 24 Kanata and Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa. The Scotiabank Theatre IMAX screen was installed in December 2006 and was the first in the Ottawa area.

Where can I find cheap movies in Ottawa?

Ciné-Starz Orleans and Ciné-Starz St. Laurent Centre show second-run films at discount prices. Mayfair Theatre offers budget-friendly tickets for second-run and repertory films. Ottawa Family Cinema, a volunteer-run not-for-profit, has some of the lowest ticket prices in the city for Saturday matinees.

Is there a VIP cinema in Ottawa?

Cineplex Cinemas Lansdowne & VIP in The Glebe has four VIP auditoriums restricted to ages 19 and over, featuring in-seat food and drink service with a menu of burgers, poutine, cocktails, beer, and wine. A dedicated VIP lounge is available for pre-show drinks.

What is the oldest movie theatre in Ottawa?

The Mayfair Theatre at 1074 Bank Street in Old Ottawa South is Ottawa's oldest surviving movie theatre, open since December 5, 1932. The building features a rare Spanish Revival atmospheric interior and has been designated a heritage building.