Top Cinemas in Mashhad: Best Movie Theaters to Visit
In 2017, the city of Mashhad was introduced as the cultural capital of the Islamic world, and in this context, the city’s authorities undertook numerous cultural initiatives that are commendable. One of the sectors that flourished significantly in Mashhad in 2017 and became one of the city’s major tourist attractions was the cinemas. In that year, several great films and events were held in these cinemas.
The cinemas in Mashhad, which attract many enthusiasts daily, are a popular leisure activity for the city’s visitors and residents. They provide an opportunity for people to spend enjoyable and pleasant moments with their friends and families.
Mashhad, a metropolitan city, is home to several cinemas, ranging from the oldest cinema in the city, Cinema Africa, to the most modern one, Cinema Hovizeh.
Next, we will introduce all of Mashhad’s cinemas along with their addresses and images. Stay with us!
Cinema Africa, Mashhad – Cinema Africa
Cinema Africa in Mashhad, once known as Cinema Shahr-e Farang in the past, is one of the older cinemas in the city, built in 1971 (1350 in the Iranian calendar). It has one screening hall with a capacity of 566 seats. Given its age, the cinema underwent an interior renovation in 2015 (1394 in the Iranian calendar), equipping its screening room with the latest audiovisual equipment, which revitalized this old cinema in Mashhad.
In the past, Cinema Africa was owned by the government entity, Imam Khomeini Relief Committee, but it was later transferred to the Art and Cultural Organization of the Islamic Revolution of Khorasan Razavi by the order of the Supreme Leader.
It can be confidently stated that before the major renovation of Cinema Hovizeh in Mashhad, Cinema Africa was considered the best cinema in the city. After its internal renovation, it is now classified as one of the top cinemas in Mashhad.
Another notable feature of Cinema Africa is its location in a busy area of Mashhad. As a result, it sees a lot of visitors daily, making it one of the most crowded and popular cinemas in the city.
It is worth mentioning that Cinema Africa offers half-price tickets only on Tuesdays, when you can purchase tickets to watch films with a 50% discount.
Address of Cinema Africa, Mashhad:
Southwest side of Shariati Square (formerly Taqiabad Square), Cinema Africa
Contact number for Cinema Africa, Mashhad: 051-38597454
Cinemas of Mashhad – Hovizeh Cinema
Another prominent cinema in Mashhad is the Hovizeh Cinema Complex, one of the most modern and best cinemas in the country. Formerly known as Diamond Cinema, Hovizeh Cinema is one of the older cinemas in Mashhad. It was inaugurated on May 11, 1968 (22 Ordibehesht 1347 in the Iranian calendar) by Kamran Kabli Malak, with a seating capacity of 2,200. At the time, it was the largest and most luxurious cinema in the Middle East.
After the Islamic Revolution, the cinema was renamed to Hovizeh Cinema. In 2011, the cinema underwent a major renovation that lasted for about 16 months, reopening in September 2012 as the Hovizeh Cinema Complex. Following its reopening, it reclaimed the title of the largest and most modern cinema in the country from other cinemas in Iran.
Hovizeh Cinema Complex is the only cinema complex in the country that has no office or commercial spaces; its sole purpose is to function as a cinema. This cinema in Mashhad has 8 screening halls of varying capacities, a cinema gallery, a fully equipped and free internet café, escalators, restrooms, a prayer room, and a cinema café, all built with modern and advanced facilities.
On the exterior of Hovizeh Cinema, the largest city and cinema screen has been installed, and the most modern global technology has been used for the building’s heating and cooling systems.
The 8 halls at Hovizeh Cinema Complex are equipped with modern film projectors, a digital display system, and Dolby Digital surround sound. One of the cinema’s halls is also capable of screening 3D films.
In the waiting area of the cinema, visitors can enjoy not only beautiful furniture and unique décor but also take advantage of the photography gallery and café.
In early 2015, Hovizeh Cinema Complex was recognized by the Cinema City Institute as the third highest-grossing cinema in Iran.
After its renovation in 2012, the seating capacity of Hovizeh Cinema Complex increased to 1,124. It is worth mentioning that Hovizeh Cinema offers half-price tickets only on Tuesdays, when you can purchase film tickets at a 50% discount.
Address of Hovizeh Cinema Complex, Mashhad:
University Street, at the Golestan Crossroad, Hovizeh Cinema Complex
Contact number for Hovizeh Cinema Complex, Mashhad: 051-38437576
Cinemas of Mashhad – Simorgh Cinema
Another notable cinema in Mashhad is Simorgh Cinema, which is also recognized as the first cinema complex in Iran. It opened in 1998 (1377 in the Iranian calendar). At the time of its opening, it was considered one of the largest and most modern cinemas in the country. Simorgh Cinema has five screening halls with a total seating capacity of 1,200.
The interior of Simorgh Cinema includes a commercial complex with a reception hall, office building, and other facilities. Located in a densely populated area of Mashhad, this cinema is highly popular due to its distance from other cinemas in the city.
Simorgh Cinema underwent a major renovation in 2016, reopening in July 2017. The renovated cinema includes five screening halls, three VIP halls, a digital projection system, Panasonic LED projectors, and Dolby Surround sound. These features make Simorgh Cinema one of the top-tier cinemas in Iran.
Address of Simorgh Cinema, Mashhad:
Ghasemabad (West Town), North side of Mother Square, Simorgh Cinema
Contact number for Simorgh Cinema, Mashhad: 051-36204063
Pirouzi Cinema, Mashhad
Cinemas of Mashhad – Pirouzi Cinema
Pirouzi Cinema is another cinema in Mashhad, which belongs to the private sector. It was opened in 2008 (1387 in the Iranian calendar). Pirouzi Cinema has two screening halls with a seating capacity of 458.
Located in the Pirouzi area of Mashhad, Pirouzi Cinema is well-received due to its distance from other cinemas in the city. The cinema provides suitable facilities for watching films and is equipped with a digital sound system.
Address of Pirouzi Cinema, Mashhad:
Pirouzi Boulevard, between Har Square and Kosar Crossroad, Pirouzi Cinema
Contact number for Pirouzi Cinema, Mashhad: 051-38832587
Cinemas of Mashhad – Qods Cinema
Another cinema in Mashhad, built in 1970 (1349 in the Iranian calendar), is Arya Cinema, which was renamed Qods Cinema after the Islamic Revolution. This cinema has two screening halls with a combined seating capacity of 830.
Located near the Hovizeh Cinema Complex, Qods Cinema has average audiovisual facilities and is considered a standard cinema in Mashhad. Due to its basic equipment and facilities, it doesn’t receive as much popularity or attention.
Address of Qods Cinema, Mashhad:
Pasdaran Street (formerly Jam), next to Jam Hotel, Qods Cinema
Contact number for Qods Cinema, Mashhad: 051-38513738
Cinemas of Mashhad – Bahman Cinema
Another cinema in Mashhad is Bahman Cinema, which has a seating capacity of 580. Unfortunately, due to financial and structural issues, it has been closed for some time. We hope that this cinema, located in the Khajeh Rabi area of Mashhad, will receive attention and reopen soon.
Atlas Cinema; Second Largest Cinema Complex in the Country
Cinemas are among the must-see places in Mashhad. Atlas Cinema, after Korosh Cinema Complex in Tehran, is considered the second-largest cinema complex in Iran. It opened in 2017 within the Atlas Commercial Center and features 11 cinema halls, 18 food outlets, and a large food court. Some of the cinema halls are also suitable for theater performances. If you are a fan of theater and interactive plays, aside from visiting the Professor Baeima Science Park, you can also visit Atlas Cinema for a performance.
The sound and image quality at Atlas Cinema is excellent, and all international standards were followed in the construction of its halls. If you’re living in Mashhad or visiting the city, make sure to check out Atlas Cinema for a top-tier cinema experience.
Address of Atlas Cinema:
Mashhad, Shahid Kalantari Highway, Hafez Square, Atlas Commercial Complex
Golshan Cinema Complex; Located on the Fifth Floor of the Tallest Tower in Mashhad
Golshan Cinema Complex, located on the fifth floor of the Armitaj Tower, began its operation in 2017. The complex features four separate cinema halls, all equipped with the latest audiovisual technology. If you live in Mashhad or are visiting the city, make sure to visit Golshan Cinema Complex for the latest Iranian films. The Haft Tir metro station and the Golshan bus station are located near this cinema complex.
Address of Golshan Cinema Complex:
Mashhad, Haft Tir Boulevard, at the intersection of Haft Tir 8, Armitaj Tower, Fifth Floor
Village Tourist Cinema Complex; The Most Equipped Cinema in Mashhad
Another one of the best cinemas in Mashhad is the Village Tourist Cinema Complex. This cinema complex opened in 2018 on the third floor of the Village Tourist Complex, featuring 12 halls and 1,075 seats. Halls 7 and 8 are VIP, hall 9 is CIP, hall 12 is dedicated to virtual reality, and hall 11 is specifically for children. When visiting this cinema complex, you can also enjoy the recreational facilities of the Village Tourist commercial complex, such as the amusement park, bowling alley, billiard hall, and amenities like the food court and parking. If you enjoy paintball, after watching your movie, you can head to one of the best paintball clubs in Mashhad for a fun and memorable day.
Address of Village Tourist Cinema Complex:
Mashhad, beginning of the Torghabeh Road, Vilashahr, Imam Reza 8th Street
Snow Tower Cinema; One of the Newest Cinemas in Mashhad
Another movie theater in Mashhad is Snow Tower Cinema, which has attracted the attention of not only the residents of Mashhad but also tourists in recent years. At Snow Tower Cinema, you can watch the latest films from both Iranian and international cinema, while also enjoying activities such as escape rooms, billiards, virtual reality, and board games. You can also relax in the food court restaurants and numerous cafés, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Address of Snow Tower Cinema:
Mashhad, Janbaz Square, Janbaz Boulevard, near Yas 12
Watching Movies in the Best Cinemas of Mashhad
In this article, we introduced seven of the most modern and best cinemas in Mashhad. If you plan to visit this holy city and enjoy watching a movie, make sure to visit one of these cinema complexes.
If you’ve had the experience of traveling to Mashhad and watching films in the cinemas of the city, share your experience with us and the readers of Gulf City Pedia’s tourism magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which are the best cinemas in Mashhad?
Hovizeh Cinema, Atlas Cinema, Africa Cinema, Se-Morgh Cinema, Golshan Cinema, and Village Tourist Cinema Complex hold special places in the list of Mashhad’s cinemas.
Which is the most equipped cinema in Mashhad?
The Village Tourist Cinema Complex, with its two VIP halls, one CIP hall, one virtual reality hall, and a children’s movie hall, is the most equipped cinema in Mashhad.
