Community idea
Historic cinemas
Catalogue surviving picture houses and distinctive cinema façades, open or closed.
Last updated: 17 July 2026
What you would map
Historic cinemas communities pin real-world places on a shared map so people can find, photograph, and catalogue them together.
Geography is up to you: a single city, a whole country, or a worldwide atlas.
- Operating cinema
- Converted
- Closed / derelict
- Façade only
What to record on each pin
Each entry should help the next person find the place again and understand why it belongs here.
- Accurate coordinates (stand at the spot when pinning, where safe and lawful)
- Clear photos that show the subject and its setting
- A short, searchable title
- Current use: cinema, converted, closed, or façade only
- Original cinema name if different from today’s use
- Architectural era or distinctive façade details
Why a shared atlas helps
Cinema buildings are often reused without record. A shared map keeps picture-house heritage visible on the street.
Spreadsheets and private photo albums do not compound. A public community map grows with every contribution and becomes findable on SpotterAtlas and search engines.
How to start this community
Use Start this community to open the create wizard with a ready brief. Edit the name, description, and categories for your area, then publish when you are ready.
After launch, seed a handful of quality pins, set SEO title and description in Manage settings, and invite contributors.
- Suggested fields to consider: Original name, Seats note, Era.