Sky Cinema: Channels, features & subscription
Dan Howdle • April 11th, 2025
From its origins as Sky Movies, Sky Cinema still leads the way when it comes to movie entertainment, with a variety of channels crammed with cinematic entertainment, from animation and action to dramas and thrillers.
Along with some of the latest releases, there are also classics to enjoy, and with a whole channel devoted to family films, there is something for everyone. You don’t have to have Sky TV in order to get Sky Cinema. Like Sky Sports, it is available in various different ways, all of them on subscription. In this guide, we take a look at what Sky Cinema has to offer, how you can watch it, and how much it costs.
Introduction
Sky Cinema is a subscription-only service offering a vast selection of films to suit every taste. You can choose to watch the channels live or search for what you want on demand, meaning you can always be guaranteed to find something to entertain, whether it’s for keeping the little ones busy or a bit of escapism on a Saturday night.
It's available either as a bolt-on to an existing TV subscription, including Sky TV, EE TV or Virgin Media TV, or with NOW, Sky’s streaming-app sibling. Contract lengths vary according to provider and range from one month to 24 months.
If you sign up with Sky TV, you can watch Sky Cinema on your mobile, tablet or laptop with the Sky Go app, as well as on your TV. The same applies if you sign up with EE/BT or Virgin Media; both the EE TV app and Virgin Media TV Go app enable you to enjoy your subscription on the move.
If you decide to get a NOW Cinema Membership, the NOW app is available on a wide range of devices, from games consoles and TVs to laptops and streaming sticks. It also only requires a one-month contract so if you don’t want to commit, it’s an ideal option.
Sky Cinema Channels
Sky Cinema offers a variety of channels, each focusing on different genres or themes, making it easy to find films you'll enjoy.
Sky Cinema Premiere
Sky Cinema Premiere features a new premiere daily, showcasing the latest cinema releases. Recent premieres include The Bikeriders and Fight or Flight.
Sky Cinema Hits
Sky Cinema Hits presents blockbuster films, offering a collection of recent successful movies. Current highlights include Avatar: The Way of Water, John Wick: Chapter 4, and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.
Sky Cinema Greats
Sky Cinema Greats showcases timeless classics that have shaped the history of cinema. This channel currently features films like The Godfather, Pulp Fiction, and Schindler’s List.
Sky Cinema Animation
Sky Cinema Animation is perfect for family viewing, featuring animated movies beloved by all ages. Current offerings include Encanto, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and Toy Story 4.
Sky Cinema Family
Sky Cinema Family offers a variety of family-friendly films, mixing animated and live-action adventures. Recent highlights include Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Paddington 2, and Peter Rabbit 2.
Sky Cinema Action
For those who crave thrills, Sky Cinema Action provides a lineup of explosive action movies. Currently showing are Fast X, Top Gun: Maverick, and The Dark Knight.
Sky Cinema Comedy
Sky Cinema Comedy is the go-to for laughs, offering a range of comedy films from various eras. Current selections include Barbie, The Hangover, and 21 Jump Street.
Sky Cinema Thriller
Sky Cinema Thriller features suspenseful and gripping films that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Current films include A Quiet Place Part II, The Girl on the Train, and The Silence of the Lambs.
Sky Cinema Drama
Sky Cinema Drama brings viewers intense and emotional storytelling with films like The Whale, Lady Bird, and The Green Mile.
Sky Cinema Sci-Fi & Horror
Sky Cinema Sci-Fi & Horror is the home for all things speculative and scary. Currently featured are Nope, Dune, and Get Out.
Sky Cinema Select
Sky Cinema Select curates seasonal content and special collections. Currently, it’s focused on the Harry Potter series and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
-
Bigger Combo Bundle + Movies- 362Mb average speed +
- 200+ channels
£44.99 per month(Until April 2026, then increases by £3.50 each April during contract)£0 one-off cost18 month contract -
Biggest Combo TV Volt Bundle + O2 SIM
- 1.1Gb average speed +
- 210+ channels
£84.99 per month(Until April 2026, then increases by £3.50 each April during contract)£0 one-off cost18 month contract -
Stream + Ultimate TV + Netflix + Cinema- 150+ channels
£30.00 per month(Prices may change during contract)£0 one-off cost24 month contract
Subscription options
As with Sky Sports, Sky Cinema is only available as a subscription service, but there are various different ways of getting it.
Sky TV
Sky TV offers new customers the option to take a bundle with Sky Cinema already included, or to add it on as an extra if you are an existing customer. In both cases, can either commit to a 24-month contract, or take it out on a slightly more expensive rolling one-month basis. HD is included at no extra cost.
Compare Sky Cinema deals Visit Sky
EE TV
EE TV, the successor to BT TV, offers Sky Cinema as part of its entertainment bundles or as an add-on. EE TV is available to EE and BT broadband customers and provides access to a wide range of channels, including Sky Cinema, via the EE TV box or app. Contracts vary, and you can add Sky Cinema to your package for an additional fee.
Virgin Media TV
Virgin Media offers Sky Cinema as part of its higher-end bundles. You can also add Sky Cinema to other Virgin Media Flex TV packages on a rolling monthly contract, but this option can be more expensive.
NOW
NOW Sky Cinema is available on a rolling monthly basis for around £9.99 a month. However, HD streaming requires the NOW TV Boost, and if you want to watch in 4K it's the even more expensive Ultra Boost add-on. NOW TV offers the flexibility of a one-month rolling contract, but since you can get oen of those with the full-fat Sky Stream now, we honestly struggle to find a good argument for getting it.
Call now and switch to a better Sky deal. We're open Monday to Sunday 8am-8pm.
Call now on 0330 221 9427What’s the cheapest way to get Sky Cinema?
Sky Cinema costs around £10 a month if taken directly with Sky Stream, which includes HD as standard. EE TV and NOW also offer Sky Cinema, but HD may cost extra. The most expensive option is through Virgin Media, where the cost can be higher due to additional fees. The cheapest way to get Sky Cinema is usually by bundling it with Sky Stream, which includes HD at no extra cost.
What are the alternatives to Sky Cinema?
Streaming Services
If you want a large selection of movies, consider streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+. Netflix offers a vast library of films, including originals. Amazon Prime Video provides access to thousands of films, some of which may require an additional rental fee. Disney+ offers family-friendly content, including Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars films. Prices for these services range from £5 to £17.99 per month.
