Sydney's top ten cinemas

1 Class act

Event Cinemas Gold Class
The name sounds posh but don't be deceived - creature comfort is the real aim of the game at Gold Class. The wide, cushy seats are dangerously relaxing, reclining so far back you won't want to move (and after one of their enormous chocolate sundaes, you mightn't be able to). There's even wait staff on hand to bring you the snacks you'll need, including plonk, under strict specifications. Go here and you'll never go back.
Gold Class cinemas are at Bondi Junction, Campbelltown, George Street, Macquarie Megaplex and Parramatta

2 Seeing double

Vintage Double Bill at Chauvel Cinemateque
Score double or nothing at the trendiest cinema in town. Take in one of the classic, cult and foreign films that are shown regularly throughout the week, or stay late with back-to-back vintage features held every Sunday. Keep your ears tuned for special events too, with regular bands and talks being hosted in the foyer.
Paddington. Adult $15.50; consc $12.50; child $9; Sunday classics $11.

3 Easy rider

Blacktown Drive-in
No need to dress up for a night out at the drive-in. Some would say there's no need to get dressed at all. Plus who needs to fork out a fortune at the snack bar when you can fit the confectionary counter of Coles in your glove box? But the pluses don't stop there:: it's tight-arse Tuesday every day at the drive-in because your ticket gets you two films. It's just like the 50s.
Blacktown

4 Wide-eyed

IMAX Theatre
Feel like you're part of the action with the sensory swamping eight-storey screen. For an 80s flashback try the 3D experience.
Darling Harbour

5 Get stuffed

Govindas
Stop in at the popular vegetarian restaurant before settling into the movie room and you'll be as stuffed as the cushions rolling round the floor. No smooching down the front though, save it for later (if the pulses and bean curd stews aren't repeating on you, that is).
Darlinghurst

6 Cheap date

Randwick Ritz
One of Sydney's more wallet-friendly cinemas, the Ritz is tucked into a buzzing cluster of BYO restaurants, making it the perfect place to wind up a date on a chilly winter's night. If things are going really well, you might even stop in at the bar upstairs for a nightcap while gazing at the (other kind of) stars.
Randwick

7 Behind the scenes

Popcorn Taxi
See the stories, meet the makers. The only place to get the real deal on the plot, script, actors and all the behind the scenes juice the gossip mags never get to see. In the past the Popcorn Taxi kids have brought out the likes of Baz Luhrmann, Gillian Armstrong and Ewan McGregor. Who they'll manage to snag next is anyone's guess.
Event Cinemas Bondi Junction, Westfield Bondi Junction  

8 Score some gore

Cult Sinema
From flesh-eating ants to giant teenagers and killer goo, crate-dug horror films are sometimes scary but always gold. Jay Katz & Miss Death host the weekly slasher fest, served up on a 16mm projector screen with dangerously cheap beer on the side. Monday nights just got a lot less boring.
Annandale Hotel, Annandale; Mu-Meson Archives, Annandale

9 Asian classics

Japanese cinema
The Japan Foundation pays regular tributes to its film industry with screenings of classic movies. This year they take you back to childhood with a series of youth-centred movies held every other week. Films are in Japanese with English subtitles.
Shop 23, Lvl 1 Chifley Plaza, Sydney

10 Free education

Art Gallery of New South Wales
The AGNSW hold terrific free programmes of films themed to its exhbitions. Screenings are on Wednesdays and Sundays and sometimes Saturdays; arrive early to secure your seat. It's a chance to see some real forgotten gems and arthouse classics as well as evergreen Hollywood fare.
Art Gallery Rd, The Domain

Complete list of cinemas in Sydney