Your Guide To Watching Movies In Chiang Mai
So where do you go to watch movies in Chiang Mai? The movie theatre is a great place to go to escape the heat in hot season, the smoke in smoky season, and the rain in rainy season! Find out how much movie tickets cost and which is the best movie threate in Chiang Mai for you and your family.
Looking for other indoor activity ideas for kids? Check out the top things to do indoors with kids in Chiang Mai!
What To Expect When Going To The Movies In Thailand
What are the symbols beside each movie showtime?
When checking for showtimes, you will see these symbols above each showtime TH or EN. You’ll want pay attention to these when choosing which film to watch as it affects which language the movie will be shown in.
If you see only TH/ this means that the movie has been dubbed in Thai. There will be no spoken English and no English subtitles.
When you see TH/EN, this means that the film is in English with Thai subtitles.
How long are films in cinema for in Chiang Mai?
One of the bonuses of watching a film in Thailand is sometimes Thailand gets movie releases before your home country does! However, the downside is that other times we don’t get some films until months later and everyone back home has already seen them.
Films are typically in theatres here for only 2 – 3 weeks, so if you want to watch a particular film, you need to act fast!
Things to watch out for with young kids at the movies in Chiang Mai
Taking kids to the cinema is great fun, but you need to be aware of a few things. Prior to the film beginning, there is approximately 30 minutes of commercials and movie trailers. You do not need to be in your seats for this and I suggest you skip this part for reasons stated below if you have young children. No one will care if you walk in late as Thai time applies here!
For whatever reason, the commercials and trailers are not pre-screened by someone with common sense. They often choose to show inappropriate commercials and trailers with violence, bad language and sometimes gore. Even at a movie for kids? Yes, even before a kids’ movie. It’s maddening!
Following the commercials, you’ll know the movie is about to begin when the king’s song, the Thai Royal Anthem, plays.
What do you do when the Thai Royal Anthem plays?
The first thing you’ll notice is everyone goes silent, places all their movie fare down and stands up to show respect for the king. All you need to do it stand in silence with nothing in your hands facing the screen. At the end of the song, give a short bow to the screen and sit back down. That’s it!
What I described above was a practiced tradition, but in recent years, it’s far more common for everyone to remain seated.
It’s cold in there!
This is the most common complaint about movie theatres in Chiang Mai. We’ve found that most of the time they are freezing cold. We always bring socks, sweaters, and recently we’ve been bringing a blanket to keep warm and snuggle up. Sometimes the theatres are not cold, but you never know so it’s best to be prepared, especially with little kids.
How much do movies cost in Chiang Mai?
Movie tickets can cost anywhere between 80 – 800 baht depending on the day, the type of theater, and the seats you choose.
Prices for drinks, popcorn and snacks are more affordable then what you’d pay in the west, but are still quite expensive for what you get. Go for the combos, they get you the most for you money.
There is NO dual pricing at movie theaters!
Movie theatre seating
There are many seating options at movie theatres in Thailand. Each comes with its own cost and the coolest thing is, you get to choose your seats beforehand! No more first come first serve. There are regular seats, reclining seats, love seats, and sofas.
Best Places To Watch Movies In Chiang Mai
Major Cineplex Central Airport Plaza Mall
On the 4th floor beside the food court is the movie theater. It offers many different movie experiences including love seats, regular seats and movies are offered in either Thai or English in 2D digital format.
Check out movies and showtimes!
How much are movie tickets at Major Cineplex Central Airport Plaza Chiang Mai
Normal: 99- 200 baht
Honeymoon: 400 baht
Emperor: 700 baht
Tips:
Students pay only 80 baht every Tuesday!
Note: Children pay the same as adults when they have their own seat.
Apply for M Generation card and get discounts and points towards free movies or food and drink.
How to buy movie tickets for Major Cineplex
You can purchase through credit card or direct debit using the Major Cineplex app. You can also pay in person at the theatre using a ticket machine or at the counter.
SFX Cinema Maya Mall
Found on the 5th floor, enjoy a great movie at this really nice movie theater! It is a really popular movie theater as most of the university students live nearby and this is their hang out mall.
Check for showtimes before you go!
How much are movie tickets at SFX Cinema Maya Mall Chiang Mai
Deluxe: 100 baht
Premium: 100 – 150 baht
Sofa suite: 350 per pair (125 each) baht
Tip:
Children 100 cm sit free with parents!
Note: Children pay the same as adults when they have their own seat.
How to buy movie tickets for SFX Cinema
You can purchase through credit card or direct debit using the SF Cinema app. You can also pay in person at the theatre using a ticket machine or at the counter.
Major Cineplex Central Festival Chiang Mai
This is the best movie theater in Chiang Mai based on the amount of choices you get. Depending on the movie, it may be offered in IMAX, 4D, or Ultra. There are also the most seating options here from regular, to reclining, to love seat, to practically a bed.
It’s also a very popular movie theater and you can expect the theater to be full for popular films. Get there early to get tickets.
You can check for movies and showtimes here.
How much are movie tickets at Major Cineplex Central Festival Chiang Mai
Ultra seats: 1200 for a pair (600 each) baht
Double sofa: 800 baht per pair
Opera chair: 500 baht per pair
Normal: 160 baht
Tip:
Students pay only 80 baht every Tuesday!
Note: Children pay the same as adults when they have their own seat.
Apply for M Generation card and get discounts and points towards free movies or food and drink.
How to buy movie tickets for Major Cineplex
You can purchase through credit card or direct debit using the Major Cineplex app. You can also pay in person at the theatre using a ticket machine or at the counter.
Pro tips to watching movies in Chiang Mai
If you already have tickets, there’s no need to show up on time as there are about 30 minutes of previews and you already have pre-chosen seats!
Bring sweaters or a blanket to cuddle up and keep warm.
Children at SF Cinemas under 100 cm tall watch movies for FREE – if they share your seat.
Buy a love seat or a sofa and the kids don’t pay, you only pay for the love seat. This works up to two children and one adult.
You CAN bring in your own snacks and drinks for infants and toddlers.
No alcohol is served at the theatres and you cannot bring your own inside the theatre.
Just for fun watching, here are some movies that were filmed in Chiang Mai!
1. American Gangster (2007)
2. No Escape (2013)
3. Rambo III + Rambo (1988 + 2008)
4. Into the Sun (2005)
5. Beyond Borders (2003)
6. Beautiful Boxer (2003)
7. Twilight over Burma (2015)
