Exploring the Appeal of Dog-Friendly Cinema: A Look at the Growing Trend

Dog-friendly cinema screenings have become increasingly popular, especially in the UK, offering dog owners a unique way to enjoy films with their pets. These screenings, which began gaining traction after the end of COVID restrictions, take place on Sunday mornings at places like the Greenwich Picturehouse. The format is designed to accommodate dogs by providing fleece blankets for seating, limiting audience capacity, and reducing the volume of the films. While some owners attend to socialize with other dog lovers, the experience is often more about bonding with their pets than the film itself. Photographer Irina Werning spent a month documenting these cinema sessions, capturing the essence of this phenomenon. Some cinemas even allow dogs on seats, making the experience feel more inclusive. For some pet owners, it’s a cheaper alternative to daycare, but the experience can also be chaotic, as dogs react to their surroundings, often with excitement or confusion. In the end, these screenings allow owners and their dogs to experience cinema together—whether they understand the plot or not.