A night at the movies in Doha isn’t your bog standard cinema experience. Here, you can order gourmet food in a VIP setting, book in for kids’ parties in colourful seats with healthy snacks, or park your car at the drive-in for an old-fashioned film experience. Oh, and did we mention the IMAX, 3D and laser viewing options? Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it in Doha, along with exceptional service and very, very comfy seats. These are the best cinemas in Qatar’s capital.
Cineco
You can hyper-VIP it up at Cineco, with its cinegourmet experience, which allows you to select a fine-dining menu and enjoy it in the comfort of the VIP cinema lounge. If you’d rather just dig into the chips and popcorn, book into one of the regular screens, which offer IMAX and 3D options. Make the most of the onsite restaurant too, where you can enjoy a pre- or post-screening buffet. There’s also a kids’ cinema with colourful seats, play area with dedicated childcare staff, and kids’ menu with healthy snacks, making it one of our top choices for families.
VOX Cinemas
Pick from 4DX (yes, that’s when your chairs have motion as well as scent, wind, light and water effects! Perhaps bring a rain mac), a fun kids’ theatre, max experience or VIP (complete with blanket, pillow, a waiter and reclining seats – sign us up!). The menu includes small plates like dynamite shrimp and pepper beef skewers, as well as loaded nachos, flatbreads and a desert box. VOX also runs deals with partner companies such as banks, so you may be able to get up to 50% off on certain tickets with your bank account. There are a number of branches in the city, but the Doha Oasis location has a 12-lane bowling alley as well as 19 screens.
Lusail drive-in cinema
Make like the cast of Grease and head to the drive-in! Lusail is about a 20-minute drive from central Doha, and you’ll need a car for this one. This outdoor cinema opened in 2020 and runs during the cooler months (no one wants to sweat it out at the drive-in during the heat of summer) from November to April. Films are listed at the beginning of each week, so get in fast if you spot something you like. Each car costs QAR 100, and films show from 6:30pm to around 9pm. Kick back and enjoy.
Novo Cinemas
With a number of locations around Doha and the wider Middle East, Novo boasts some serious hi-tech vibes. You can choose from films in 2D, 3D, IMAX with lasers (yes, it’s a thing apparently) or MX4D. Here you can enjoy padded reclining seats, skip the queues and have snacks delivered to your seats, or book into a private 7-star VIP viewing lounge. Novo also offers a kids’ party experience, where you can show your favourite films and have a bespoke kids’ menu delivered to the cinema. 2D tickets from QAR 45.
Grand Cine Center
FInd 14 different screens at this cinema located inside the huge City Center Mall. It had a recent revamp and the result is comfy seating, old-fashioned seat selection (read: you can sit where you like when you arrive, it’s first come, first served) and a friendly atmosphere. The location is super handy for food and shopping, the cinema stays open until late, and the pricing is reasonable. It’s also worth noting that the majority of films that show here air in English, so it’s popular with tourists and expats.
