Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Glasgow Cineworld Renfrew Street

Cineworld Renfrew Street

The Guinness Record holder as the "tallest cinema in the world" is a building with screens in almost every one of its 12 floors

Glasgow, Scotland

Added By
linkogecko
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
  linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
  linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
View from the top floor.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Once you’re actually in a theater watching a film, this cinema is like practically any other.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
  linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Opened as a UGC Cinema in 2001, this peculiar cinema tower stands in a spot with some cinematic history of its own. Green's Playhouse opened here in 1927, and the entertainment complex included a ballroom and cinema screen.

That original building was demolished in 1987, and its 21st-century replacement had something of a rough start. Before its opening, the building had already gained infamy as one of Glasgow's "ugliest" buildings. Some redemption would come two years later when it was said to have had the most admissions of any U.K. cinema.

The Guinness Record it holds states its height at 62 meters with 12 floors. Eighteen screens and 4,277 seats complete the statistics, although some of these numbers might be outdated since they pre-date the cinema's rebranding and remodeling as a Cineworld in 2005.

With little more than two decades since its opening, this Renfrew Street complex's short history has already found itself challenged by the COVID-19-induced bankruptcy of Cineworld. Only time will tell if it manages to overcome this and have a run similar to that of the preceding Green's entertainment venue.

Related Tags

World's Tallest Cinema Movie Theater
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

linkogecko

Published

December 26, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://news.stv.tv/world/cineworld-files-for-special-bankruptcy-in-bid-to-save-business-but-cinemas-to-remain-open
  • https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/77351-tallest-cinema
  • https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/20713306.story-cineworld-glasgow-worlds-tallest-cinema/
  • https://www.cineworld.co.uk/static/en/uk/venue-hire-glasgow-renfrew-street
Cineworld Renfrew Street
7 Renfrew St
Glasgow, Scotland, G2 3AB
United Kingdom
55.865025, -4.254427
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Duke of Wellington Statue

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

The Lighthouse

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

George Square Imperial Measurements

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Glasgow

Glasgow

Scotland

Places 90
Stories 4

Nearby Places

Duke of Wellington Statue

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

The Lighthouse

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

George Square Imperial Measurements

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Glasgow

Glasgow

Scotland

Places 90
Stories 4

Related Places

  • The Motomiya Movie Theater, built in 1914.

    Motomiya, Japan

    Motomiya Movie Theater

    A disused, crumbling 110-year-old theater retains the authentic retro charms of Showa-era cinema.

  • Cinema Rif

    Tangier, Morocco

    Cinema Rif

    This iconic cinema is home to Tangier's Cinémathèque and a symbol of the city's vibrant film scene.

  • Cinema  during roof repairs in 2024

    Penistone, England

    Penistone Paramount Cinema

    This century-old, single-screen cinema still puts a 1937 Compton organ to good use.

  • Royal Theater, screening classic Showa cinema.

    Gifu, Japan

    Royal Theater

    Retro as can be, this cinema still uses film reels and screens revivals of Shōwa-era hits and classics.

  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    BookXcess RexKL

    Kuala Lumpur’s historic single-screen cinema, transformed into a labyrinthine bookstore.

  • Hyde Park Picture House

    Leeds, England

    Hyde Park Picture House

    The last gas-lit cinema in the United Kingdom, and perhaps the world.

  • The Pelham Picture House with windows painted by local student artists in celebration of Halloween

    Village of Pelham, New York

    Pelham Picture House

    A century-old historical movie theatre that plays a mix of independent and mainstream films.

  • Drive-in movie theater

    Gibson City, Illinois

    Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In Theatre

    Take a trip back in time at this retro cinema dating back to 1954.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.