Rio Cinema
cinemaGrade II listed Art Deco independent cinema in Dalston, east London, operating two screens (seating approximately 402 and 28) and known for arthouse and community programming, festivals and long-standing presence on Kingsland High Street.
Upcoming Events (18)
RIO FOREVER: DAILIES X ICO: UNCOMMON VOICES with TOMISIN ADEPEJU
RIO FOREVER: DAILIES X ICO: UNCOMMON VOICES showcases recent short films exploring working-class experience in New British cinema, hosted by Tomisin Adepeju. A thoughtful screening and talk at Rio Cinema that invites discussion on whose stories get told in contemporary film.
Queer Horror Nights: THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW with Shadow Cast
Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) screen at Rio Cinema with a live Shadow Cabaret from London's queer cabaret scene, featuring drag kings and queens throughout the screening and a late-night cabaret finale.
Rio Forever: Celluloid Surprise #1
Rio Forever presents a mystery film screening on glorious 35mm at Rio Cinema on May 7, 2026 at 6:30 PM. Hand-picked by a Little White Lies editor, this event promises vintage celluloid magic in a classic cinema setting.
The Godfather Part II on 35mm - Intro by Asif Kapadia
Rio Forever presents a rare 35mm screening of The Godfather Part II, introduced by Oscar-winning director Asif Kapadia at Rio Cinema. A must-see archival treat in Hackney, capturing one of cinema's most acclaimed sequels in pristine print.
RIO FOREVER X QUEER EAST: FANTASY OF DEER WARRIOR
Screening of the 1961 Taiwanese curiosity The Fantasy of Deer Warrior, part of Rio Forever x Queer East. Dressed-as-animal characters enact a woodland intrigue—deer, elk, and a scheming fox—in a quirky, vintage adventure that showcases early Taiwanese cinema.
Rio Forever / Never Ever: Ladies Night
A feminist horror double bill at Rio Cinema: The Stepford Wives and Teeth. Ladies Night screens at 23:30 on May 15, 2026, celebrating women taking charge of the narrative in provocative feminist horror.
Classic Matinee: HARD TRUTHS
Classic Matinee screening of Mike Leigh's HARD TRUTHS at Rio Cinema, a fierce, compassionate contemporary drama about family life, anchored by Marianne Jean-Baptiste's towering performance and Leigh's sharp, dark humor.
RIO FOREVER: Punch Drunk Love
Rio Cinema hosts RIO FOREVER: Punch Drunk Love, with Molly Manning-Walker presenting a screening of Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch-Drunk Love. After the film, she leads a thoughtful post-film discussion on its craft, romance, and intensity, in London's cinema ambience.
DIONNE EDWARDS: BOUND on 35mm
Experience Bound on 35mm as Dionne Edwards introduces the film at Rio Cinema, part of Rio Forever. The bold British feature debut comes alive with a scorching soundtrack and standout performances, including Alexandra Burke, in a rare 35mm screening.
Doc'n Roll x Rio: PARADISE UK Premiere + Q&A
UK premiere of Paradise, a documentary tracing Portugal's early 90s dance-rave explosion, followed by a Q&A with director Daniel Mota and producers João Ervedosa and Maria Guedes at Rio Cinema, London.
RIO FOREVER: APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR
Screening of Desiree Akhavan's 2014 debut Appropriate Behaviour at Rio Cinema in London, featuring an in-person discussion with Akhavan and Corrina Antrobus. As part of Rio Forever, the intimate Q&A spotlights queer identity, wit, and sharp contemporary storytelling in a classic London cinema setting.
Dear Mr Manley + Q&A
Screening of a WWI-era documentary at Rio Cinema: Dear Mr Manley, followed by a Q&A. Rediscovered letters from soldiers thanking Mildmay Club secretary Ralph Manley reveal wartime care parcels, community resilience, and intimate local history.
Women from Hackney's History Premiere + Panel
Premiere of a moving documentary commissioned by the Hackney Society, tracing the lives of eleven Hackney women across three centuries, followed by a panel discussion. Filmed at multiple Hackney locations and screening at Rio Cinema. The project features archival materials, local
Gemini Season: Sisters + Almost Dead Late-Night Screening
Late-night cinema double feature at Rio Cinema for Gemini Season: Sisters (1972) by Brian De Palma, paired with Almost Dead. Presented by horror film club Category H as part of the Rio Forever/Never Ever season, this 23:30 screening promises suspense and a cult classic night for midnight movie fans.
Classic Matinee: JAWS
Classic Matinee at Rio Cinema: Jaws returns to the big screen. Spielberg’s suspenseful summer blockbuster follows Chief Brody, Hooper, and a fearsome great white, delivering iconic thrills and timeless cinema history.
My Chemical Romance: Life on the Murder Scene – Screening
Rio Cinema presents My Chemical Romance: Life on the Murder Scene (2006), a documentary tracing the band's rise and the emo subculture. The rare screening at Rio's Screen One features backstage footage and iconic performances, offering an intimate glimpse for fans and newcomers alike.
Classic Matinee: THE FULL MONTY
Rio Cinema hosts a Classic Matinee screening of The Full Monty, the beloved British comedy about unemployed steelworkers who form a male dance troupe to raise money. A witty, unforgettable big-screen classic for cinema fans.
RIO FOREVER / NEVER EVER: BLOOD AND BONES
Join a late-night horror double feature at Rio Cinema: Rio Forever / Rio Never Ever: Blood and Bones. Two house-centered thrillers screen back-to-back, where haunted inhabitants and restless echoes conjure fear from within walls, offering atmospheric chills in a classic UK cinema venue.