Quentin Tarantino’s film-lovers mecca of the Prince Charles Cinema could face closure under a new lease clause proposed by their landlord.
The cinema claimed its landlords, Criterion Capital, were trying to include a stipulation in a new lease being negotiated which, if triggered, would force the cinema out within six months’ notice.
The Prince Charles outlined its shaky future in a campaign titled #SavethePCC, which accumulated over 138,000 signatures on its online petition in four days.
Tourist Carson said: “It can’t close, people need it.
“It’s about culture, it brings people together no matter their culture and experiences, it’s unifying.”
Florida native Carson was visiting his friend Gui in the UK, and the duo made it their mission to squeeze in as many films as they could during their three-day trip.
The Birmingham University student said: “My brother and I bonded over movies when we were living in Brazil, and then growing up [mine and Carson’s] friend group loved and connected over films.
“People don’t have stuff like this now, a place like this is so authentic and rare.”
The Prince Charles Cinema has been widely revered for its history, programming, and its place as a cultural hub for film lovers.
It has one of the widest repertories, a rare chance to see both new releases and old indie classics on a big screen at a price that is hard to beat.
Non-member tickets for standard films run for £14 or under, while singalongs and marathons run for around £25.
However, membership for discounts on tickets, food and select other London retailers only costs £15 for a year and £60 for a lifetime with options to make it a two-person membership for £20 and £100 respectively.
Despite only having two screens, seating a total of 404, the Prince Charles boasts a loyal fanbase which racked up over 250,000 sold tickets in 2024, their second-consecutive year of record attendance.
However, younger generations and casual movie-goers might not be aware of the cinema’s cultural significance as more and more chain cinemas take over the UK.
Teodora, 18, said: “I feel even though social media is so big, the news about the closure might not catch everyone’s eye.
“If it closes, they might just move to watch films in the bigger cinemas.”
Ben, 58, first came to the Prince Charles in the 1980s, and he often goes to independent cinemas around the city like the Garden Cinema near Holborn.
His local cinema and the only one in Lewisham borough at the time, Catford Mews, was closed abruptly by the council in November.
He said: “London is losing a lot of its cinemas at quite a rate at the moment.
“It’s one of the most iconic cinemas, the only independent one left In Leicester Square really and it’s a shame that some bland corporate company wants to put some rubbish in its place.
“It makes London a less interesting place.”
There will always be a soft spot for the Prince Charles Cinema within the movie world, with Boogie Nights and There Will Be Blood creator Paul Thomas Anderson noting how special it is.
He said: “It’s the people, the programming, the accessibility, feeling, texture… you cannot go wrong.
“You also know that on any given day, you can close your eyes, press your finger to the programme, and you’ll hit something great.”
Filmmaker Jazz said: “It’s famous as a student venue, affordable with a lot of edgy films that you don’t see in regular cinemas, like Pulp Fiction and Parasite.
“This is the remnants of the underground and art house films.”
Criterion Capital was contacted for comment.
Find out more on the #SavethePCC campaign here.
Picture credit: Castor Chan
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