The red carpet capital of London and the world's premier film premiere destination. From Hollywood blockbusters to British cinema, Leicester Square has been the beating heart of celebrity culture in the West End for over a century.
Leicester Square takes its name from Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester, whose London residence, Leicester House, stood on the north side of what was then an open field. In 1670, the land was laid out as a formal public square, quickly becoming one of the most fashionable addresses in London. Distinguished residents included scientists Isaac Newton and John Hunter, painters William Hogarth and Joshua Reynolds, and numerous members of the aristocracy.
By the mid-19th century, the square's character began to shift from residential to entertainment. Music halls, theatres, and exhibition spaces replaced private homes. The Alhambra Theatre (1854) and the Empire Theatre (1884) established Leicester Square as a destination for spectacle and public amusement, laying the foundations for its future as London's cinema capital.
Leicester Square's transformation into the world's premiere cinema destination began in the early 20th century. The Empire Theatre was converted into a cinema in 1928, becoming one of London's first major picture palaces. The conversion was a signal of where entertainment was heading — and Leicester Square was determined to lead the way.
The defining moment came on 2 November 1937, when Oscar Deutsch opened the Odeon Leicester Square, a striking Art Deco masterpiece designed by Harry Weedon. With its distinctive black granite facade and soaring tower, the Odeon immediately became London's flagship cinema. The building was designed specifically to host major film premieres, with a grand foyer, sweeping staircases, and an auditorium that could seat over 2,000 patrons.
From its opening night — a premiere of The Prisoner of Zenda attended by royalty — the Odeon Leicester Square established the template for the modern film premiere: red carpets, searchlights, celebrity arrivals, and thousands of fans. This template has endured for nearly nine decades.
Throughout the mid-20th century, Leicester Square premieres became fixtures of London's social calendar and global media events. The post-war era saw Hollywood embrace London as a premiere destination, with major studios staging lavish launches for their biggest productions. Stars including Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Sophia Loren graced the square's red carpets.
Royal patronage further elevated Leicester Square's status. The Royal Film Performance, an annual charity screening attended by members of the Royal Family, became one of the most prestigious events in the entertainment calendar. The tradition, which began in 1946 with a screening of A Matter of Life and Death, brought the worlds of Hollywood glamour and British royalty together in a uniquely London fashion.
The Odeon Luxe Leicester Square (as it is now known) remains the jewel in the crown of London's premiere scene. Extensively renovated in 2018, the cinema retained its iconic facade while being transformed into a state-of-the-art luxury experience with Dolby Cinema technology, new seating, and enhanced premiere facilities. The auditorium seats over 800 in its main screen, and the building continues to host the majority of Leicester Square's highest-profile premieres.
The Empire, on the opposite side of the square, has evolved through multiple incarnations. Today, as Empire Leicester Square, it houses one of the largest IMAX screens in London and regularly hosts major premiere events. Together, the Odeon and Empire form the twin pillars of Leicester Square's premiere infrastructure, capable of staging simultaneous screenings for franchise launches and film festival galas.
A Leicester Square premiere is unlike any other entertainment event. The square's pedestrianised central garden and surrounding pavements are transformed with red carpets that can stretch hundreds of metres, branded installations, fan zones with giant screens, and elaborate lighting rigs. For major franchise launches, the entire square is themed — transformed into Hogwarts for Harry Potter, Gotham City for Batman, or a galaxy far, far away for Star Wars.
The fan experience is central to Leicester Square's premiere culture. Thousands of fans queue from the early morning — sometimes camping overnight — to secure positions along the red carpet barriers. The tradition of stars walking the full length of the carpet, signing autographs and taking selfies with fans, has become a hallmark of London premieres, distinguishing them from the more controlled events in Hollywood.
The list of celebrities who have graced Leicester Square reads like a complete history of modern entertainment. In the 1960s and 1970s, the square welcomed The Beatles, Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Michael Caine for premiere events. The 1980s and 1990s brought Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and the entire Star Wars cast back to the square.
The 2000s and 2010s saw Leicester Square reach peak premiere intensity. The Harry Potter franchise alone brought eight consecutive premiere events to the square between 2001 and 2011, with the final film's premiere becoming the largest fan event the square had ever seen. Daniel Craig's Bond premieres, the Marvel Cinematic Universe launches, Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, and the Star Wars sequel trilogy all chose Leicester Square for their British debut.
Tom Cruise has become perhaps the square's most dedicated premiere regular, consistently spending extended time with fans at every Leicester Square event. His premieres for the Mission: Impossible franchise have become legendary for the length of his red carpet interactions.
In 2012, Leicester Square underwent a major renovation and pedestrianisation project that transformed the public realm. The central garden was redesigned with new landscaping, the surrounding streets were made fully pedestrian-friendly, and new granite paving replaced the previous road surfaces. The renovation explicitly recognised the square's role as a premiere destination, with the new layout designed to better accommodate large-scale red carpet events.
Today, Leicester Square continues to evolve while maintaining its core identity as London's entertainment heartland. The square hosts not just film premieres but also live broadcasts, theatrical events, seasonal celebrations, and cultural festivals. Yet it is the red carpet premiere — that uniquely thrilling combination of celebrity, spectacle, and public participation — that remains Leicester Square's defining cultural contribution to London and the world.
The stars, franchises, and moments that have defined Leicester Square's premiere culture.
Eight consecutive world and European premieres in Leicester Square, culminating in the Deathly Hallows Part 2 event that saw the entire square transformed into a wizarding wonderland for Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.
The undisputed king of Leicester Square premieres. Cruise has attended dozens of red carpet events in the square, consistently spending hours with fans and becoming legendary for his dedication to the premiere experience.
From Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, Bond premieres have been Leicester Square staples for six decades. Royal attendees, elaborate theming, and massive fan turnouts make each Bond launch a landmark event.
The annual Royal Film Performance has brought members of the Royal Family to Leicester Square since 1946, combining Hollywood glamour with royal patronage in a uniquely British tradition.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has staged numerous spectacular Leicester Square premieres, with Avengers: Endgame (2019) drawing one of the largest fan crowds in the square's history.
Star Wars has a long Leicester Square premiere history, from the original trilogy through the sequel era. The Force Awakens premiere in 2015 saw the entire square transformed into a galactic celebration.
Centuries of entertainment history in London's most glamorous square.
Leicester Square is laid out as a fashionable residential square, named after Leicester House, the London residence of Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester. It quickly becomes one of London's most prestigious addresses.
The Empire Theatre of Varieties opens on the north side of the square, establishing Leicester Square as a major entertainment destination. The venue would later become one of London's most important cinemas.
Oscar Deutsch's flagship Odeon cinema opens with the premiere of The Prisoner of Zenda. The Art Deco masterpiece immediately becomes London's premier cinema venue and establishes the modern film premiere tradition.
The inaugural Royal Film Performance takes place with a screening of A Matter of Life and Death, attended by the Royal Family. The annual tradition of royal premiere patronage begins.
Sean Connery arrives at Leicester Square for the premiere of Dr. No, launching the James Bond premiere tradition that continues to this day. Bond and Leicester Square become inseparable.
Star Wars receives its UK premiere in Leicester Square, drawing unprecedented crowds and ushering in the blockbuster premiere era. The queue for tickets wraps around the square multiple times.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone premieres in Leicester Square, beginning an eight-film series of increasingly spectacular premiere events that would define a generation of fans.
The final Harry Potter film premiere transforms the entire square into the Wizarding World. The event is widely considered the largest and most elaborate film premiere Leicester Square has ever hosted.
Leicester Square undergoes a transformative renovation: full pedestrianisation, new landscaping, and redesigned public spaces that enhance the square's ability to host world-class premiere events.
After a brief pandemic pause, Leicester Square returns with renewed energy. Streaming platform premieres join traditional studio launches, and the square adapts to host hybrid physical-digital premiere events for a global audience.
Discover more iconic London venues connected to film, entertainment, and celebrity culture.
Where many Leicester Square premiere films are made. The legendary studio behind Bond, Star Wars, and Marvel productions.
London's other premier premiere venue, hosting BAFTA ceremonies and special film screenings alongside its legendary concert programme.
London's largest venue for entertainment spectacle, matching Leicester Square's premiere glamour with 90,000-capacity concert and sporting events.
Get weekly updates on events, venue discoveries, and filming alerts delivered to your inbox.