Best Indie Cinemas In Singapore To Catch Alternative Films At
Independent cinemas in Singapore, including a handful of new openings in 2026 – perfect for those who love unconventional movie dates.
If you were amongst those who were in mourning the demise of the much beloved indie cinema The Projector last year, it is time to get up and rejoice (and buy tickets…!) because cinema in Singapore is Alive and Well again. Or rather, it always has been, but we’re just here to remind you – so you don’t miss out on the best films at all the indie cinemas Singapore has to offer. Whether you prefer the latest Oscar buzzes or movies that bring you down memory lane, there’s a place in store for every type of cinephile.
BEST INDEPENDENT AND ALTERNATIVE CINEMAS IN SINGAPORE
1. Filmhouse
The newest kid on the block, and possibly the most anticipated on the list, is Filmhouse. Filmhouse took over and revamped the space that was formerly inhabited by The Projector at the iconic Golden Mile Complex, yet its presence is entirely new, fresh, and completely its own. Lovers and mourners of The Projector would be pleased to know that some of The Projector’s core team has stayed on, including programmer Walter Navarro – in that vein, the fiercely independent cinephilic spirit lives on and takes new form.
What can you expect to catch: Filmhouse is starting strong with films that have been the favourites – or at least, the centre of the conversations – of the season. If you’ve been meaning to catch Hamnet or Sentimental Value or It Was Just An Accident (this list could go on), now’s the time. They’re also bringing back some loved classics – watch Little Miss Sunshine on its 20th anniversary, or see young Leo DiCaprio on the big screen again with Romeo + Juliet (1996).
Address: 6001 Beach Road, #05-00 Golden Mile Tower, Singapore 199589
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Fridays: 4pm - 8.30pm, Saturdays & Sundays/Public Holidays: 1pm - 8.30pm. Closed on Mondays
Ticket prices from: $8 to $16.50
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2. SFS Somerset
Singapore Film Society, a non-profit organisation that has been around for over sixty years, has been at the forefront of the film festivals and events we know and love; the most recent one being the Indian Film Festival, running till March 8, 2026. This year, however, SFS has (much deservedly) finally gotten a physical space of their own: Hall 6 of Golden Village Cineleisure is now a dedicated space to SFS’s programming, named SFS Somerset. Now, usually one-off screenings of rarer, hard-to-watch films will hopefully become more accessible to the general public.
What can you expect to catch: At present, SFS Somerset is screening Singaporean director Michael Kam’s debut feature The Old Man and His Car and Ah Boys to Men 3: Frogmen. Look out for upcoming screenings announced every Wednesday.
Address: 8 Grange Road, Golden Village Cineleisure, Hall 6, Singapore 239695
Opening hours: Wednesdays to Sundays, various timings
Ticket prices from: $9 for SFS Members, $15 for Public Admission
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3. Capitol Theatre
The iconic Capitol Theatre is bringing cinema back to its halls for the first time in years. With the space having a history that dates to the thirties, watching a film – a classic, evergreen one no less – will feel like you’re turning the clock back in time. Come down and experience what it would’ve been like to watch a film in Singapore fifty years ago, and be part of a new generation being awed all over again by the same magic of cinema.
What can you expect to catch: Currently, Classics at Capitol is screening three beloved old films, Singin’ in the Rain (1952), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), and North by Northwest (1959).
Address: 17 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178907
Ticket prices from: $10 to $20
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4. Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film
Objectifs is a space dedicated specifically to photography and film, and tends to organise exhibitions, events, workshops and, of course, screenings. Their screenings and curated programmes lean more towards arthouse or experimental. They also shine the spotlight on emerging artists and filmmakers, so swing by if you’re keen to challenge yourself or open up your own cinematic horizons.
What can you expect to catch: The next upcoming screening is the 10th anniversary screening of Singapore Minstrel, a fantasy-documentary revolving around a busker in Singapore, with a post-screening conversation with the director and actor.
Address: 155 Middle Road, Singapore 188977
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 12pm – 7pm; Sundays, 12pm – 4pm. Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays.
Ticket prices from: Usually entry by donation
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5. Asian Film Archive
Nestled up the slope from the rustic Central Fire Station is Oldham Theatre, home to Asian Film Archive. Founded to preserve and champion local and Asian cinema heritage, AFA has brought Singaporean audiences the opportunity to watch iconic Asian films – with works from filmmakers like Wong Kar-Wai, Edward Yang, and more recently Sergei Parajanov – in their cinema space. They curate an interesting mix of programmes, and bring back restored versions of the classics we know and love; or don’t know, but are keen to discover.
What can you expect to catch: The upcoming March programme, to coincide with International Women’s Day and Women’s Month, will spotlight female filmmakers. We’ve got the freshest scoop on what’s screening: the films India Song (1975) by Marguerite Duras, Mary Stephen’s Ombres de Soie (1978), local filmmaker Gladys Ng’s Ying & Summer (2011) and more excitingly, catching the In The Mood for Love duo Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung Ka-Fai in a new 2K restoration of Clara Law’s film Farewell, China (1990). Tickets aren’t out yet, but will be released in time to come.
Address: 1 Canning Rise, Level 3, Singapore 179868
Ticket prices from: $9 to $10
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6. ArtScience Cinema
Most people may not know this, but you can go watch films in the beautiful white lotus that adorns Marina Bay Sands. ArtScience Museum is not just a museum with exhibits, but they also boast ArtScience Cinema, a beautiful cinema that screens films that sit on the cusp between art and science, as well as programs surrounding their ongoing exhibitions. They’ve screened a variety of films: from films like Inside Out 2 (2024) to Sans Soleil (1983) and also their programme titled Quantum on Film that surrounds the very convoluted concepts of quantum mechanics, there’s something in store for everyone.
What can you expect to catch: ArtScience Cinema’s upcoming programme, starting on 16th February, is Fly on the Wall, which accompanies their exhibition Insects: Microsculptures Magnified, where cinema allows you to discover the unique inner world of these tiny critters.
Address: 6 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018974
Opening hours: Sundays to Thursdays, 10am - 7pm, Fridays to Saturdays, 10am - 9pm.
Ticket prices from: Free to $12, dependent on screening and ticket type
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7. Repeat Offence
Repeat Offence is a private underground not-for-profit micro-cinema based in Chinatown’s arts enclave Pearl’s Hill Terrace, with regular thematic and impromptu screenings. It’s not open to the public – you’ll need to apply to be a member of their community – but the offerings are varied, with something in store for everyone: from Fleabag season marathons, to experimental animation films, classics by Cine-Caifan, and so much more.
What can you expect to catch: At the minute, Repeat Offence is hosting a retrospective surrounding the late great director, Béla Tarr, running till March 4, 2026. They also regularly post their weekly screening schedule on their Instagram here.
Address: 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace
Opening hours: Various timings
Ticket prices from: Free-of-charge; you just need to sign up for a free membership.
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8. Close Up @ The Coup
Organised in collaboration with the team behind Repeat Offence and underground bar The Coup, Close-Up is a series of film screenings that usually take place every last Tuesday of the month. Trade cinema seats and popcorn for an artisanal drink and get a chance to get up close (or should we say, Close Up) with exciting young directors and veterans’ bodies of work. The team also brings in different guest curators to program every edition, so you’d always have something new and different to look forward to every month.
What you can expect to catch: Keep a lookout for their upcoming programmes on The Coup’s Instagram page.
Address: 7 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069791
Opening hours: Last Tuesdays of every month, 7pm - 10pm
Ticket prices from: Free-of-charge, but attendees are encouraged to buy at least one drink to support the venue.
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9. MINT Lumens
If you thought that the MINT Museum of Toys was just dedicated to beautiful vintage action figures and dolls, then you’ll be pleased to know that they also give you the opportunity to dive headfirst into the cinematic universes built around these beloved toys. With MINT Lumens, it won’t be a formal film-watching experience, but rather an interactive opportunity to find out more about the toys around which the film is made, whilst getting a chance to delve into history, too. They meld film, art, and play with interactive activities, guided toy tours and childhood snacks that will bring you right down memory lane.
What you can expect to catch: The next MINT Lumens Season 1 2026 screening will commence soon in March.
Address: 26 Seah Street, Singapore 188382
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:30 am – 6:30 pm.
Ticket prices from: $8
Website
10. FFIGS
Conceptualised last December in an aim to turn notions about the film festival space on its head (quite literally), FFIGS is co-created by filmmakers, programmers and other creatives in the industry who come together to imagine alternative ways that a film festival or gathering can be. From March to August, FFIGS Season will host monthly sessions that take place on the last Saturday of the month at the Goethe Institut to re-configure film gatherings and screenings.
What can you expect to catch: Look forward to whimsical screening-walks, symposiums on wacky film matters, and a one-minute short film open call.
Address: 136 Neil Road, Singapore 088865
Opening hours: Last Saturday of every month from March to August, timing to be announced.
Ticket prices from: Free-of-charge
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