The Strand Cinema first opened its doors in 1935, its striking Art Deco design said to have been inspired by Belfast’s famous Harland & Wolff shipyard. It is widely believed to be the only surviving pre-war cinema in the city, a rare and much-loved landmark that has stood through decades of social and cultural change.

Today, The Strand is far more than a traditional cinema. Alongside the latest film releases, it hosts theatre productions, live music events, classic film screenings, workshops, community classes and arts festivals — ensuring the building remains as vibrant as ever. Yet beneath the laughter, applause and flickering light, many believe the building holds a much darker history.

Over the years, The Strand has developed a reputation for being deeply haunted.

The most active area is said to be the main cinema screen and stage, the largest space in the building. One former staff member reportedly refused to work there again after an unsettling experience late one night. While cleaning alone, he claimed to have seen a man calmly walking down the aisle toward him — only for the figure to vanish before reaching the front.

During a later paranormal investigation, a team exploring the same area experienced unusual EMF activity. One investigator claimed to make contact with the spirit of a 16-year-old girl who had lived locally before the cinema was ever built. It was said that the girl seemed drawn to one of the investigators, remarking that she reminded her of her mother. At the same time, another team member reported seeing a faint mist hovering above two people in the group — believed to be connected to the same young spirit.

Elsewhere in the building, darker stories linger. In one room, it is said that a former worker took his own life many years ago. Since then, staff and investigators alike have reported shadowy figures, sudden drops in temperature, and an overwhelming sense of being watched — sensations that seem to linger long after the room is empty.