Odeon comes from the Greek word for “Theatre” – as fitting a name for a cinema complex as there ever was by modern standards at least. With that said, ODEON as a brand has held a strong cultural presence in the UK since the 1930s, when Oscar Deutsch began opening cinemas that tried to inject a sense of theatricality and atmosphere into the movie-going experience. Throughout subsequent decades, ODEON cemented itself as the default venue for everything from family outings to landmark film premieres across the country, with no venue more iconic than its Leicester Square location, which is the UK’s premier spot for major movies debuting not just in the UK but to a global audience.
After undoing a major re-think with regards to the cinema experience, ODEON refitted selected cinemas with the focus on upholstering the viewing experience for viewers, taking a leaf out of the book of rising independent cinema screens, such as the likes of Everyman. The Luxe format represents a deliberate return to that ethos, recognising that audiences also seek quality of experience more alongside scale and spectacle, and now, ODEON is once again the major player across the UK for grand cinema experiences.
Putney’s ODEON Luxe is one such establishment that’s been uplifted to the current Luxe format. As the only one of its kind in the south western part of London, the venue is in high demand from Londoners living around Fulham, Wandsworth and Chelsea who are looking for an uplifted cinema experience. Far from the crowds that flock to Leicester Square and other central locations, Putney’s waterside calm and charm translates to its Luxe, offering an ideal setting to sit back, relax, and enjoy the spectacle.
The Experience
ODEON Luxe Putney contains three screens, each of which has been fully refitted with the latest digital projection equipment and quality speaker system. Screen 1 serves as the anchor auditorium, where major new releases and headline evening shows are typically programmed. Screens 2 and 3 are more intimate, offering a quieter, contained experience which is ideal for watching classic reruns or art-house flicks. The Luxe experience is less about overwhelming spectacle via expansive screens – or overwhelming audio projections like the I-Sense screens ODEON boasts at other venues – and more about calm immersion.
This creates an environment that rewards concentration. Larger multiplexes can sometimes suffer from ambient noise and movement, especially for longer runtimes, where the audience becomes fidgety. At Putney Luxe, the smaller scale and carefully controlled acoustics keep attention forward to the screen at all times, which, thanks to the reduced size of each screen, feels closer than ever.
The Best Seats in the Business
The recliner seating is the defining signature of the Luxe experience. Each seat is wide, generously cushioned, and fully motor-reclinable, with a built-in footrest that allows the viewer to settle into a natural, restful position (and possibly run the risk of nodding off for certain titles). Thanks to copious amounts of space between rows, there is no need to shuffle sideways past other patrons, nor is there any concern of knees pressing against seats and negotiation of shared armrests. Luxe is defined by personal space, exclusivity, and comfort, with seats for the latest releases here quickly selling out on opening night to secure the best vantage point.
With a total capacity of just over 300, the sheer number of upholstered seating available is quite impressive for what is, by comparison to other ODEON sites, a relatively smaller venue. But guests at Putney need not be concerned with what other venues are doing. This one offers a cinema experience which has virtually no competition throughout the area. A seamless blend of modernity, comfort, and entertainment is all tied up into three perfectly laid out screening rooms.
Programming
ODEON Luxe Putney focuses on current cinema releases, including major studio titles, seasonal favourites, and event films, forming the core of the schedule. School holidays bring family-friendly blocks of showings during the day, while evenings tend to feature headline screenings, premieres, and buzzy new releases. While not a specialist arthouse venue, Putney does occasionally host limited-run independent films, re-released classics, and live relay performances from theatre and opera institutions. These typically occur during quieter weekday periods, including hit West End plays and concert performances from venues like the Royal Albert Hall.
Owing to the cinema’s smaller size and heightened comfort, screenings for all of the aforementioned titles and performances are usually well-attended. The appeal of taking children to family-focused screenings with increased lighting, lowered noise levels, and subtitles (including for sing-along renditions) has helped immeasurably with accessibility, especially for children with learning difficulties. Coupled with the fact that the cinema also has repeated screenings aimed at senior citizens, designed to increase socialisation in older age, it’s easy to understand why Putney’s Luxe remains a staunch favourite amongst the local community.
Getting There
Putney Bridge (for District line services) and Putney rail station are both within a few minutes’ walk, whilst the option remains to reach the cinema from Fulham, Chelsea and Wandsworth, by taking a stroll either across Putney Bridge or along the Thames footpath. The building and all screens are wheelchair accessible, although drop off at the front of the cinema can be tricky due to the congested road conditions often found on the main road.
With that said, in light of its high-street position, the cinema benefits from the amenities around it rather than attempting to replace them with on-site facilities. Either pre-film or post-viewing supper at one of Putney’s pubs, bistros, or informal dining spots is the perfect way to make an evening of it at Putney’s Luxe. As far as cinema’s are concerned, this theatre folds seamlessly into the local aesthetic, being not just another picture house, but a destination in itself for not only the local community, but those in other neighbourhoods across this corner of South London as well.
