Credit: CULTPLEX/Supplied
One of Manchester’s most-loved cult cinemas CULTPLEX is expanding from its single screening room to inhabit a full, 10,000 square foot Manchester warehouse. It’ll take over the recently-vacated Redbank venue previously owned by the award-winning street food operators GRUB as they relocate to the city centre.
Credit: CULTPLEX/Supplied
Over the last six years, CULTPLEX has attracted a huge community of dedicated fans who regularly flock to the Manchester cinema’s many classic film screenings, TV events and video game nights.
Its in-house stage is no stranger to cult VIPs either. Famous guests like Hollywood director Ben Wheatley (Kill List, High-Rise, Meg 2: The Trench), LA cult legend Greg Sestero (The Room), UK comedy icon Garth Marenghi (AKA Darkplace star Matthew Holness) and cult TV director Michael Cumming (Toast of London, Brass Eye) have all visited in recent years alongside collaborations with regional institutions like HOME, SCENE Film Festival, Manchester Pride and Manchester Film Festival and national film bodies like the BFI and the BBC.
What will CULTPLEX cinema offer after this expansion in Manchester? 
Credit: CULTPLEX/Supplied
CULTPLEX will now take over GRUB’s entire Red Bank venue meaning a significant expansion to their already burgeoning programme of film screenings and events.
Screen 1
Screen 1 will receive a full technical upgrade allowing the cinema to show all the new releases alongside supporting even more big name film festivals in addition to serious furniture upgrades.
New mini cinema & Manchester’s tiniest cinema
In addition, a new mini cinema seating 40 people, and Manchester’s tiniest cinema, an eight-seater micro auditorium, will also be created – and these new screens mean all new events. Manchester movie fans can expect film school screenings, movie art workshops, movie socials and dating nights, plus regular events for Dungeons & Dragons enthusiasts.
What events and clubs will take place at the new CULTPLEX cinema?
Recurring fixtures as part of the revitalised programme will include a Sunday Wii bowling league, Manchester’s premiere film quiz ‘QUIZ SHOW’, and ‘TV PARTY’, where audiences can gather together to watch the latest big TV moments on the big screen like the Oscars and The Traitors Season 4. CULTPLEX also plans to use its extra cinema screens to ensure new event promoters and film clubs in Manchester get fresh opportunities plus there will be an increase in accessibly-priced screenings.
Credit: CULTPLEX/Supplied
Meanwhile the building as a whole will be refreshed for existing and new audiences. As of launch day on 1 October, visitors can expect brand new décor geared towards film buffs, including a movie-themed art gallery. Gaming setups and arcade machines will be scattered across the venue and fans can also peruse the shelves at the new premium pop culture retail shop stocking collectible vinyls, blu-rays, books and more.
What food and drink will be available at Cultplex?
The CULTPLEX bars will be stacked with the ultimate cinema concessions including luxury popcorn options, imported Japanese soft drinks and chocolate bars, and beer-braised hot dogs from street food trader Oscars Dogs, all in this great Manchester spot. Best of all, fans can still get themselves a proper pint to take into the auditoriums and every bit of this cinema wonderland is available for private hire. So if you fancy seeing your favourite film on the big screen as a birthday treat or gathering your pals for an unforgettable FIFA tournament, this is the place for you.
Credit: CULTPLEX/Supplied
Cinema Manager Greg Walker said: “CULTPLEX isn’t about sofas, gimmicks or three course meals during a film […] The film is always the leading star at CULTPLEX, and all facets of our cinema are dedicated to making sure movie fans love every second. Upgrading and upscaling the cinema across two floors makes that job so much easier”.
STAB Horror Season
The relaunch of CULTPLEX catapults this revitalised venue straight into their annual Halloween STAB Horror Season which is always their busiest month of the year. Highlights of this year’s offering includes a Q&A with acclaimed director Peter Strickland (Berberian Sound Studio), a 25th anniversary showing of Chris Morris’ JAM, a live edition of hit podcast Scarred for Life with special guest John Thomson and a screening of horror classic Deep Red with a live soundtrack.
Credit: CULTPLEX/Supplied
Manchester’s many horror fans can also enjoy movie marathons including a vampire all-nighter and a Chucky all-dayer, plus a whole slew of screenings spanning slimy Oscar hit The Substance, zombie classic Day of The Dead and the cinema’s annual screening of cult-fave The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue.
CULTPLEX re-launches on Wednesday 1 October 2025. Screenings are scheduled for Wednesday to Sunday every week.
The public bar areas are open 6pm-10pm Wednesday and Thursday, 4pm-10pm Friday, 11am-10pm Saturday and 11am-6pm Sunday.
📍 CULTPLEX is located at 50 Red Bank, Manchester M4 4HF.