Do cinemas check ID for cert 15 films?

[Record2022]

Does anyone know what the chances are of my 14 year old being ID'd for a 15 film? He'll be with friends of the same age.
I know it's hard to say, but it's been a long time since I was their age, and I dont know how strict places are these days.

Thanks!

The cinema near me do, yes.

Yes they can, and do. I used to work in one.

Staff can be fired and the cinema can face fines or lose their licence if they were to be caught, the cinema chain I worked for often sent mystery shopper type people in, which did result in people getting caught out.

Not really worth it for someone to see a film.

My DD’s friends got turned away from
a 15 last year (they were 14 but both boys who look much younger - no idea why they thought they’d get in).

I might risk it if my 14 year old looked older & was with a parent (I saw Terminator 2 with my mum aged 14), but even then I’d be nervous that cinemas, like pubs, have probably got a lot more rigorous since I was a teen!

My 17 year old got checked last time he went to a 15.

I’m getting really pissed off with 15 certificates to be honest. There’s so little for mid-teenagers to do and I think if I’m fine with my 14 year old watching a 15 type film then he should be able to. He couldn’t see bloody Demon Slayer last week.

If she is 14 she can't see a 15 film.
Would you encourage her to buy alcohol underage?
Staff can get fired, cinemas can get fined.

Yes - very likely to get checked. DD’s (older looking) 14 year old friends got turned away recently.

My local one (Vue) does every time

Yes, they definitely check I.D. around here. My DD is 16 now but they still check her age.

Thanks everyone, thats really helpful.
Obviously I don't want anyone to get sacked, but they won't be sacked if they do their job properly, and I'm happy for him to be checked and turned away if that's their procedure.
I'm tempted to let him try it for the life experience of being refused. I was in the pub at his age!

Oh do piss off. Have you never driven 31mph in a 30mph zone? And I clearly said he.

Fairly high chance unless they all look old for their ages. Even if one looks young they could all get checked.
I find it hit and miss. They ID for 12s as well if they're without an adult.

They turned my child away last year when they were 16 and didn’t have their ID on them.

But yes, he can try, he might be lucky.

My son has been ID’d for a 15 film, but he’s also been sneaky in the past and bought a ticket for a PG, then snuck in to the 15 with his friends…he was 14 at the time, his 15th birthday was 2 weeks away.

Yeah they do - my 14DD tried to get into a 15 with friends and was turned away without ID.

They do, most often when its a group of boys
We saw some being turned away while DS (who was with me) didn't even get asked when he was 13/14.

Yes. 100%