Cinema Ticket Prices in Pakistan 2026: Where Cinepax, Universal, CUE and Arena Show the Price

So any "cinema ticket price list" you see online was not copied from a chain's own page. It may be old, or it may be a guess. Instead, this guide shows exactly where each chain hides the price, which hall classes cost more, and which posted discounts cut it.

Where each chain shows the ticket price

Every chain shows the price at a different step, and two make you sign in first. We opened a real show for a current film at each chain on the evening of 12 November and noted where each one shows the price.

Universal and CUE: sign in first

Both run the same booking software. We opened a Friday 13 November show of Ebenezer in CUE's Platinum 7 hall, and a Clayface show in Universal Emporium's Screen-6. Each page showed the film, hall and time, a basket reading "Total Cost Rs 0.00", then "You must sign in to continue any further".

Cinepax: pick a showtime first

Cinepax's new site asks you to choose a branch as soon as it opens. The booking page then asks for a date and time, and only after that does it load "ticket types". A rating notice pops up first for films marked M or A, and you must accept it.

We noticed something odd on that page. Before any showtime is picked, the food menu and bank offers show sample content in US dollars. It listed "Movie Combo $15.99", seat upgrades like "VIP (+$10)", and offers from HSBC, Emirates NBD, ADCB and Mashreq, which are Gulf banks. The basket below still read in PKR. Do not rely on those sample lines.

Hall classes that cost more

Each chain names its better halls differently. Expect a premium hall to cost more than a standard one, but no chain publishes the gap.

• Cinepax: halls named Platinum, Gold and Silver at different branches, for example Platinum and Gold-2 at Ocean Mall Karachi and Silver-2 at Kings Mall.
• Universal Emporium, Lahore: Diamond 10, Diamond 11, Gold, Gold 1, Gold 2, Super Ultra and Ultra Max, plus standard screens 3 and 6 to 9.
• CUE, Lahore: Platinum 7 and Platinum 8, plus Screens 2 to 6.
• The Arena: a VIP Box, which its membership page lets members claim with points.

3D shows also need their own record. Cinepax has separate 3D listings for Avengers: Doomsday and for the animated film Hexed. We found no IMAX hall on any Pakistani chain site.

Discounts posted on the chains' own pages

The posted offers are the one firm price fact we found. They are percentages or free tickets, so they work on whatever the base price is.

The terms are not always clear. We set out the conflicts we found, such as Cinepax showing 30% and 40% for the same student offer, in our student and weekday discount guide.

How to find the real price before you pay

You can see the true price without paying. These steps follow what each site showed us.

1. Open the chain's own site: web.cinepax.com, universalcinemas.com or cuecinemas.com.
2. At Cinepax, choose your branch, then the film, date and time.
3. At Universal or CUE, sign up or sign in to the free loyalty account first.
4. Read the ticket types: adult, child and any offer lines.
5. Check the basket for a booking fee before the payment step.
6. Stop there if you only wanted the price. Nothing is charged before payment.

Or call the branch. Cinepax lists numbers for each branch, such as 021-35140898 for Ocean Mall Karachi and 051-2725546 for World Trade Centre Islamabad. CUE lists 042-35761610 and Universal Emporium 0316-6668888.

Why Islamabad tickets can cost more

Islamabad charges entertainment duty on paid shows, cinema screenings included. The Islamabad Excise website says the rate is 50 per cent of the ticket price. Our Islamabad entertainment duty guide explains it. Whether a chain absorbs this or adds it is not shown on its site.

Other costs add up too. Cinepax's FAQ says children under 3 may enter free when sharing a seat with a paying adult, and child tickets for ages 3 to 12 exist "where listed". It also says outside food is not allowed and online bookings are generally non-refundable.

Booking Avengers: Doomsday? See our Doomsday cinema list. For cheaper options at home, our guide to watching movies online lists the services.

Common questions

What is the cinema ticket price in Pakistan in 2026?

No chain publishes it on its website. On 12 November 2026 Universal and CUE showed prices only after sign-in, and Cinepax only after choosing a showtime. Check your branch's booking page or call it.

Why can't I see ticket prices on Universal Cinemas' website?

Universal's ticket page says "You must sign in to continue any further". The loyalty account is free to create, and prices appear after you sign in.

Which day is cheapest at Cinepax?

Tuesday, by its own page: Bargain Tuesday gives 40% off every Tuesday. Students also get 40% off Monday to Thursday before 6 pm with a valid ID.

Do children need a ticket at Cinepax?

Cinepax's FAQ says children under 3 may enter free if they share a seat with a paying adult. Child tickets for ages 3 to 12 are sold where listed. Policy may vary by branch.

Is there IMAX in Pakistan?

We found no IMAX hall on any Pakistani chain's website on 12 November 2026. Universal Emporium lists large halls named Ultra Max and Super Ultra.

Can I get a refund on a cinema ticket in Pakistan?

Cinepax says online bookings are generally non-refundable once confirmed. For cancelled shows, contact the cinema box office.

Last checked: 12 November 2026, 20:30 to 21:45 PKT, on web.cinepax.com, universalcinemas.com, cuecinemas.com, thearena.com.pk and nueplex.com.