Cinemas in Chiang Mai
- Chiang Mai cinemas at a glance
- SFX Cinema MAYA
- Major Cineplex CentralFestival Chiang Mai
- Major Cineplex Central Chiangmai Airport
- Original soundtracks and subtitles
- Tickets and practical advice
- Independent and special screenings
- Cinemas mentioned in older Chiang Mai guides
Chiang Mai has three large modern multiplexes, plus a small but active independent-film scene. The most useful choice depends on where you are staying: SFX Cinema MAYA is the easiest option around Nimman and the northwest of the old city, Major Cineplex CentralFestival has the broadest range of premium formats, and Major Cineplex Central Chiangmai Airport is convenient for the airport and the southwest of town.
Last checked: 4 October 2026. Cinema schedules, ticket prices and available formats change frequently. Use the official showtime links below before travelling.
Chiang Mai cinemas at a glance
| Cinema | Area | Best for | Official listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| SFX Cinema MAYA | MAYA, by Nimman and Rin Kham intersection | The most central location for many visitors | SF Cinema showtimes |
| Major Cineplex CentralFestival | Fa Ham, east of the city centre | IMAX with Laser, 4DX, VIP and family screenings | Major Cineplex showtimes |
| Major Cineplex Central Chiangmai Airport | Central Chiangmai Airport, southwest of the old city | A straightforward multiplex close to the airport | Major Cineplex showtimes |
MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center. Photo by Zeroranger, resized for the web; CC BY 3.0.
SFX Cinema MAYA
SFX occupies the fifth floor of MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center, immediately north of the old city beside the Nimman area. MAYA describes the complex as having 10 screens and currently lists the cinema as open daily from 10:00 to 22:00. Screening times can extend beyond the mall's published hours.
This is generally the easiest cinema to reach if you are staying around Nimman, Santitham, Chiang Mai University or the northwest corner of the moat. The mall has parking, restaurants and direct access from Huay Kaew Road.
- Check SFX MAYA showtimes and book with SF Cinema
- Cinema location and current opening information from MAYA
The SF website can be heavily JavaScript-dependent. If its branch page does not load cleanly, the SF Cinema app is a useful fallback.
Major Cineplex CentralFestival Chiang Mai
Major Cineplex is on the fifth floor of CentralFestival Chiang Mai in Fa Ham. This is Chiang Mai's principal premium-format complex: the current official branch page lists IMAX with Laser, 4DX, VIP Cinema and Kids Cinema. The IMAX auditorium uses 4K laser projection and a 12-channel sound system. Major's corporate branch list records 10 screens at CentralFestival.
The published opening time is 10:30 to 22:00 daily, although the actual last screening may finish later. CentralFestival is east of the city centre near the Superhighway and has extensive parking.
CentralFestival Chiang Mai. Photo by Zeroranger, resized for the web; CC BY 3.0.
Major Cineplex Central Chiangmai Airport
The long-established Major Cineplex at Central Chiangmai Airport is on the fourth floor of the mall. Despite the name, the centre is not inside the airport terminal; it is a short drive southwest of the old city and immediately east of Chiang Mai Airport.
Major currently publishes opening hours of 11:00 to 23:00 Monday–Friday and 10:00 to 23:30 Saturday–Sunday. Hours and the last available screening can vary on holidays.
Central Chiangmai Airport. Photo by กสิณธร ราชโอรส, resized for the web; CC BY-SA 4.0.
Original soundtracks and subtitles
Do not assume that an English-language film will be shown in English. The same title may have both an original-language screening and a Thai-dubbed screening on the same day.
Major commonly writes the audio language first and subtitle language second:
- EN/TH — English soundtrack with Thai subtitles
- TH/EN — Thai soundtrack with English subtitles
- TH/-- — Thai soundtrack without subtitles
Other releases may be marked JP, KR or CN for Japanese, Korean or Chinese audio. SF Cinema may spell the languages out, for example ENG/TH SUB. Check the label attached to the individual screening—not only the film title—before paying.
Tickets and practical advice
- Prices vary by cinema, day, seat type and format. IMAX, 4DX, VIP and premium seats cost more than a standard 2D screening, so fixed prices become outdated quickly.
- Weekly schedules appear gradually. A missing session several days ahead does not necessarily mean the film is unavailable; check again closer to the date.
- Online payment can be temperamental with foreign cards. Buying at the cinema remains a reliable option, especially outside opening weekends.
- Allow time for advertising and the royal anthem. Audiences stand for the anthem before the feature begins.
- Air conditioning can be strong, particularly in larger auditoriums; a light extra layer is useful.
Independent and special screenings
mécani independent cinema
mécani is a small independent cinema at Story Space in Mae Rim, north of the city. Its official site advertises 4K projection and Dolby Surround 7.1, with a changing programme that includes international and independent films. Check the current programme and reserve through the links on its site before making the trip.
FRAME at Fellowship
FRAME is a Chiang Mai film-appreciation community that presents independent, documentary and experimental screenings at Fellowship Café & Co-working in Wat Ket. Screenings are often free, but advance registration is normally required and walk-ins are not guaranteed. Its website carries the current programme and booking link.
Cinemas mentioned in older Chiang Mai guides
Two names still appear frequently in old articles and search results but are no longer useful for current showtimes:
- Vista Chiang Mai at Kad Suan Kaew closed with the decline and closure of the shopping centre.
- SF Cinema City Promenada closed with Promenada Resort Mall.
Vista was once Chiang Mai's much-loved local cinema chain, but travellers should now use one of the active venues above.