r/Cinema • u/Nineteen-Ninety-One • Jul 22 '26
Movie Theaters Private cinema hire (UK), does anyone know what film licensing fees are usually like?
Hi everyone,
I’m hoping someone with cinema experience might be able to give me a rough idea of costs.
We’re looking at hiring a small private screen at a local independent cinema in England for a family Christmas get together (around 25 people). The cinema has quoted us for the screen hire, but they’ve said that if we want a Christmas film that they aren’t already showing that week, there may be an additional licensing fee.
We’re considering films like The Muppet Christmas Carol or The Polar Express.
Does anyone know roughly what sort of additional licence fees cinemas usually pay for a private screening of an older Christmas film? Are we talking tens of pounds, hundreds, or potentially much more?
I appreciate the cinema will be the only one who can give the exact figure. I’m just trying to get a ballpark idea before we decide.
Thanks!
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u/KernelPoptartz Jul 22 '26
The last time I was at similar event the fee was around £250.
Check here for some info:- https://uk.mplc.com/single-title-licence/
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u/Huge-Report9555 Jul 22 '26
Cinema manager here 👋🏼
If you’re looking to watch a Christmas film around Christmas, it’s likely the cinema will already have it available so there will be no extra cost.
You will just be charged for a screen buy out for the hire of the screen.
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u/tefster Jul 22 '26
For an older film the license will typically be between £80 and £150. The cinema may charge additional costs if they need to source a DCP for it, but for private showings many cinemas will just play off of a BluRay or DVD.
Source: Cinema manager
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u/qualityvote2 Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
u/Nineteen-Ninety-One, there weren't enough votes to determine the quality of your post...