Screenwave
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind on the Big Screen at The Island St Annes

Imagine gathering your friends for a movie night to experience the wonder of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, starring Richard Dreyfuss. This 1977 classic, celebrated for its groundbreaking special effects and captivating storytelling, is best enjoyed on the big screen, where its iconic visuals truly shine. Remember the moment when the alien mothership lights up the night sky? It's unforgettable. Released to critical acclaim, it grossed over $300 million worldwide and was nominated for eight Academy Awards. As Dreyfuss famously states, “This means something!” Don’t miss the chance to get your favourite film onto the big screen by starting a group or community cinema hire.

Create a screening
Steven SpielbergDirector
2h 15mRuntime
47Want to see
Drama, Science FictionGenre
PGRating
1977Year

Active Screenings

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

How to screen Close Encounters of the Third Kind at The Island

Screenwave helps film fans bring classic, cult, and fan-favourite films back to local cinemas. Anyone can start a screening, share it, and invite others to back it. Once the funding target is reached, The Island confirms the date.

Why Close Encounters of the Third Kind belongs on the big screen

Steven Spielberg made Close Encounters of the Third Kind for one reason — to be seen on the biggest screen possible. The kind of film that loses something on a laptop, a tablet, or even a TV. 2h 15m that deserve your full attention and a darkened room. See it properly or don't see it at all.

So create a screening. Bring your mates, your family, your colleagues, your neighbours, that friend who's never seen it and needs to. Pack the seats with people who get it — or people who are about to. This is your cinema. Your film. Your night. Make it one to remember.

47 people are already waiting for this.

The Island

How community screenings work

Choose a film you want to see at The Island

Choose a film you want to see at The Island

Buy the first ticket

Buy the first ticket

Share your screening with friends

Share your screening with friends

Enough tickets sold — the screening is on. If not, you'll get a full refund

Enough tickets sold — the screening is on. If not, you'll get a full refund

The Island - Lytham's Seafront Cinema

Sitting right on the Lancashire coast, The Island is the kind of independent cinema that reminds you why the big screen matters. Equipped with the latest DCP digital projection and sound technology, every screening looks and sounds exactly as the filmmaker intended. Sink into genuinely comfortable seating, enjoy spotless facilities, and experience that rare thing — a cinema that actually feels like it was built for its community. And with Screenwave, that community spirit goes further. Whether you're planning a birthday, a corporate event, a charity night or just want to see your favourite film the way it was meant to be seen, The Island makes it easy to make the screen yours. Pick your film, invite your people, and let The Island do the rest.

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About The Island St Annes

A modern, independent four-screen cinema in the heart of Lytham St Annes, The Island offers everything you'd expect from a great night out — plush seating, spotless facilities, and a genuinely warm welcome. But what sets it apart is the community at its core. Powered by Screenwave, The Island makes it easy for local groups, businesses, and film lovers to book private and community screenings, bringing people together around the films that matter to them. From the latest blockbusters to carefully chosen independent titles, this is a cinema that works for everyone.

Multiple Screens

Multiple Screens

4K / Digital Projection

4K / Digital Projection

Surround Sound (Dolby 5.1 / 7.1 / Atmos)

Surround Sound (Dolby 5.1 / 7.1 / Atmos)

Reserved Seating

Reserved Seating

Accessible Seating / Wheelchair Spaces

Accessible Seating / Wheelchair Spaces

Toilets / Accessible Toilets

Toilets / Accessible Toilets

Hot food options

Hot food options

Alcohol licence

Alcohol licence

Getting to The Island by Public Transport

The Island Cinema is a 10-minute walk from St Annes-on-Sea train station, and bus routes 11A and 11B stop nearby on East Bank Road.

Parking at The Island

Free up your evening — parking is available next to St Annes Swimming Pool, with cheaper rates usually available after 6pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

No — Screenwave screenings are public, community events open to everyone.

Yes — creating a screening costs just , which counts towards the funding target. You can then invite others to back it and help bring the screening to life.

The screening doesn't go ahead and all backers are refunded.

Most screenings have a funding target of around £10.00, which covers the cost of bringing the film to the cinema. The total is shared between everyone who backs it.

You suggest a proposed date, which is confirmed once the screening is funded and agreed with the cinema.

Screenwave is a community-driven cinema platform where people fund screenings together.

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Pick a film

Choose a film you'd love to see at the cinema.

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People back the screening

When enough people support it, we book the cinema and secure the rights.

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Watch it together

The screening goes ahead — or you get a 100% refund if it doesn't.

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