If you are looking for places to see kids’ movies in Brisbane, but you don’t know which cinemas are baby and child-friendly, then you have struck gold with our article. We have reviewed all the local cinemas so we know which are baby and kid-friendly and why. But which is the BEST children’s cinema in Brisbane? You will have to keep reading!
Baby and child-friendly cinemas in Brisbane
You’ve been that parent. We all have. The one with the beet-faced screaming baby. Or the toddler careering through the crowd and darting out of reach. The over-tired pre-schooler having a meltdown. You know all too well what it’s like to be on the receiving end of frosty stares of disapproval and whispered critiques of your parenting skills.
Maybe you’ve given in to the fun police and you’ve avoided the cinema for ages. The good news is that you don’t have to wait until your kids are older and less, well…kid-like, to reacquaint yourself with the magic of the silver screen. Our list of the best baby and kid-friendly cinemas in Brisbane will have you reaching for the popcorn and re-joining the ticket queue…with the kids in tow. There are also lots of great ticket deals to be had for child-friendly cinema screenings – winning!
Dendy Cinema Portside
Address: Portside Wharf, Remora Road, Hamilton
Why we love it:
The jewel in the crown of the Hamilton Northshore urban renewal project, Dendy Portside Cinemas boasts an unrivalled location close to the river. Sharing its home with an international cruise ship terminal, it’s a hub of activity. Nestled amongst retail outlets, cafes and restaurants, it’s also in close proximity to the Eat Street Markets where you can broaden your kid’s palates with the best street food Brisbane has to offer.
Dendy Cinemas Portside runs baby-friendly screenings every Thursday morning. Here you can enjoy reduced sound levels, low lighting and a carefree atmosphere, it’s an ideal place to venture out with your little one. Tickets are $10 and under 5s are free. Find out more here
Dendy Cinema Coorparoo
Address: Cnr of Old Cleveland & Cavendish, Coorparoo
Why we love it:
Located in Coorparoo Square Shopping Centre, Dendy boasts 10 state-of-the-art screens and plenty of easy parking for parents and carers bringing their little ones to the cinema with them. With well over 1000 Google reviews (at the time of writing this article) and 4.5 stars, this is a cinema to add to your list of children-friendly cinemas.
This is another venue offering the Reel Bubs sessions on Thursdays for parents and carers with young children. Tickets at Coorparoo are $16 with children under 5 free. At this cinema, the baby sessions take place in their Premium Lounge – fancy! Reel Bubs may not run on school holidays.
Dendy Cinema Southport
Address: 129 Queen Street Queen Street Village, Southport
Located in Queen Street Village (the old hospital) this comfortable cinema experience offers 11 screens and a foyer so you can meet your mum friends for a drink before you go in. You can also enjoy three hours of free parking so you can drive your little one to their big day out at the movies.
Reel Bubs tickets are $11 with under 5s free.
Cineplex South Bank Cinemas
Address: 167 Grey Street, (Corner if Ernest Street), South Bank, Brisbane
Why we love it:
You’ll find South Bank Cinemas located less than a stone’s throw from some of Brisbane’s most kid-friendly parklands, playgrounds, museums and attractions. Whilst it’s no longer an official IMAX cinema, its massive screen (25 metres!) is still put to use screening some of the best films on offer. And best of all, you can linger longer at the candy bar because the tickets are at very family-friendly prices.
Standard 2D movie tickets are $10 per adult and $8 for children 12 and under, with special rates for off-peak, and an increase for 3D. Unfortunately, they don’t have any specific baby screenings but it’s great for a family movie day.
You don’t need to worry about parking as they have a partnership with Secure Parking that gets you parking close by for $8 on weekends, or on week nights after 4 pm. You can also park for $15 for up to 5 hours before 4pm on weekdays. You just need to get your ticket validated in the main foyer of the cinema to snag the parking deal.
Click here for more information.
Cineplex Hawthorne Cinemas
Address: 261 Hawthorne Road, Hawthorne
Why we love it:
For a wonderful retro experience, step back in time and make Hawthorne Cinemas the focus of your family movie outing. You’ll find that Hawthorne Cinemas are ideally located near Hawthorn Park. The park boasts a fully-fenced playground, shade sails and sheltered picnic tables. All up, you’ll have a great day out as a family in Hawthorne.
Check out all that Hawthorne Cinemas has to offer here.
Event Cinemas Chermside
Address: Westfield Shopping Centre, Corner Gympie Road and Hamilton Road, Chermside
Why we love it:
Event Cinemas Chermside is close to not one but TWO of Brisbane’s best parks. The Kidspace playground at Seventh Brigade Park in Chermside and the closely guarded secret that is the Hidden World playground in Fitzgibbon. But if it’s too hot or rainy to play outside, head inside and enjoy the air-conditioned comfort of Event Cinemas Chermside.
You’ll find a parent-friendly café with built in jumping castle, play area, bowling alley and a game arcade right outside the movie theatres!
For babies, Event Cinemas offer Bring your Baby sessions most Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (except during school holidays).
You’ll also find a great program of Weekend Family Flicks. You can choose from the best family films and current releases at a reduced price if you’re a member of Cine Buzz, their loyalty program. Membership of the programme is free.
For more information click here.
RELATED: Find all the best things to do in Chermside with kids here.
Event Loganholme Cinemas
Address: Corner Pacific Highway and Bryants Road, Shailer Park
Why we love it:
Loganholme Cinemas is located in the Hyperdome Shopping Centre so you can make a day of it with plenty of shopping and eating before your movie.
This is another venue offering the Bring Your Baby sessions, Family Flicks and Cinebuzz membership mentioned above.
Find out more about Event Cinemas at Loganholme here.
Event Cinemas Carindale
Address: Westfield Carindale, 1151 Creek Road, Carindale
Why we love it:
If you’re looking for a whole day out, head to Westfield Carindale! Home to the gorgeous Carindale Library, there’s plenty on offer to entertain the kids.
Westfield Carindale has play areas so there is ample opportunity to let your kids burn off their excess energy before you unleash them on the unsuspecting cinema-going public. And when you do, you can do it in style at Event Cinemas Carindale.
This is another venue offering the Bring Your Baby sessions, Family Flicks and Cinebuzz membership mentioned above.
Event Cinemas North Lakes
Address: North Lakes Drive, North Lakes
This is another great option for a day out as you can eat lunch in the food court and let the kids burn off their energy in the large outdoor playground (which has sections for bigger kids and little kids) before you head indoors to the air-conditioned theatre.
As with their other locations, the Bring Your Baby sessions usually take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays outside school holidays. Find out more here
Events Cinemas at Browns Plains
Address: Grand Plaza Shopping Centre, Browns Plains Road, Browns Plains
Why we love it:
Combine a movie with some awesome outdoor fun for the kids in Browns Plains. The Browns Plains Cinema is located not that far from the Berrinba Wetlands. Your kids can get back to nature and have a screaming good time on the flying fox and playground equipment, before heading indoors to catch a movie at Event Cinemas in the nearby Grand Plaza Shopping Centre.
Again, like most Events Cinemas you can expect Weekend Family Flicks and Bring Your Baby sessions, making your movie experience just that little bit more family- friendly. Click here to find out more.
Event Cinema Strathpine
Address: Shopping Centre, 295 Gympie Rd, Strathpine
Why we love it:
Make your visit to Westfield Strathpine even more fun by adding a movie to your plans. With lots of family-friendly activities taking place in the shopping centre’s event calendar, (including activities like music and movement programmes for under 5s), you’ll be able to make a really exciting day of it.
As with all of the Event Cinemas, you’ll get Weekend Family Flicks and Bring Your Baby sessions. Find out more here
Palace Barracks Cinemas
Address: 61 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane
Why we love it:
Palace Barracks Cinemas are the home of arthouse, cult classics and foreign language films but don’t think for a second that it’s not family-friendly. Located close to Suncorp Stadium so you can easily combine a match and a movie. Alternatively, there is a whole host of other kid-friendly things to do nearby, including the South Bank Park and Lagoon, Brisbane Wheel, Ithaca Swimming Pool and Skate Park.
Babes in Arms sessions take place on Thursdays. Pram access is available (which is fantastic as many cinemas require prams to be stored outside the screen which can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you have multiple babies/toddlers). Tickets cost $10 per adult if you’re a Movie Club member, and $13 if not. Children under 3 are free.
Hoyts Sunnybank Cinemas
Address: Sunnybank Plaza, Mains Street and McCullough Street, Sunnybank
Why we love it:
Hoyts Sunnybank Cinemas offer a kid’s party area and birthday packages for parents who just can’t face yet another post-party, post-apocalyptic clean-up. If that’s not enough, they also boast Hoyts Jnr; special sessions for parents with pre-schoolers. Hoyts Rewards members can watch a movie for as little as $8!
There are heaps of other ticket offers available including off-peak deals, senior discounts and family tickets. You’ll be spoiled for choice with the dozens of great Asian-style eateries in close proximity to Hoyts Sunnybank. In fact, the area’s known affectionately as Brisbane’s own ‘little Asia’ so go along hungry! You won’t need to wander far to enjoy a great meal either before or after your movie.
For babes in arms, they offer Prams at the Pix so you can relax and unwind with your bub. Sessions usually run on Wednesday mornings and tickets are $10 for members.
Check out Sunnybank Cinemas here.
Hoyts Redcliffe
Address: 272 Anzac Ave, Kippa-Ring
Why we love it:
With eight screens, this multiplex in Peninsula Fair Shopping Centre is another great option for a family movie day.
You’ll find all of the great Hoyts ticket offers and their Prams at the Pix event as mentioned above, along with Hoyts super comfortable power recliner seats.
Hoyts Stafford
Address: 400 Stafford Rd, Stafford
Why we love it:
Set in Stafford City Shopping Centre, this compact shopping centre is great for little ones.
As with the other Hoyts venues, there are ticket offers a-plenty, Prams at the Pix and kids’ party options.
Open Air Cinemas Brisbane
Address: TBC for the next season
Why we love it:
Brisbane has one of the most beautiful climates in Australia. What better way to enjoy it than to head outside and catch a great movie as a family? With Open Air Cinemas Brisbane, you can do just that. Sessions kick off at dusk, though some weekend sessions boast live music beforehand. Kick back, relax and enjoy the twinkling city lights and everything else vibrant South Bank has to offer. Check out your open air cinema options here.
Outdoor movies Brisbane
Look out for more outdoor movie experiences in Brisbane as the summer approaches!
Child-friendly cinemas
With such a wealth of fabulous, family-friendly cinemas dotted across Brisbane, there’s no excuse to stay at home and watch the same old vegemite-smeared DVD for the fiftieth time.
This school holidays there are awesome kid’s movies playing across cinemas in Brisbane. Grab your car keys, surprise the kids and get out there and create some memories. Hang out as a family at the movies.
