I amsterdam - Cinemas

Amsterdam is the creative and historical centre of the Dutch film industry, not only housing a pleasing mix of art-house and modern cinemas, but also hosting its own international documentary festival as well as a blossoming film industry. 

As the host to the IDFA, the annual International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, Amsterdam attracts tens of thousands of visitors to this annual event. Amsterdam also features 'Cinekid', an international children's film festival at the Balie and Pathé City theatres.

'Europe's most beautiful cinema', the 1921 art-deco Tuschinski Theater in Reguliersbreestraat, opened its doors in 1921: founder Abraham Tuschinski opened the stunning cinema with the idea that even poor citizens of Amsterdam should be able to imagine themselves 'king for a day'. The cinema now forms part of the Pathé concern, inluding (among others) the new multiplex of Pathé Arena, near the ArenA stadium, the Pathé de Munt, the multiplex near the Muntplein. 

Lastly, movies shown in Holland that are not in Dutch rarely use voice-overs. Dutch film-goers prefer to read subtitles as this has proven a good way to keep their linguistic skills up to par. This means,. of course, that most foreign films remain in their own language, with Dutch subtitles. One exception are children's films - they quite often have two versions, one with Dutch subtitles and one with Dutch voice-overs. 

For more information about the film agenda, contact the theaters below. All cinemas and most cafés and bars also post fliers listing the weekly films. 

Cinecenter

As a memeber of Europa Cinemas, the stylish Cinecenter on the Lijnbaansgracht near Leidseplein shows mainly European films in their original languages, medium-budget and smaller-budget popular films amongst the arthouse world, and previews for special interest groups such as the gay community.

Address: Lijnbaansgracht 236
Tel: +31 (0) 20 623 66 15
E-mail: cinecenter@cinecenter.nl

Filmhuis Cavia

Calling themselves 'The nicest little cinema in Amsterdam', the cosy Filmhuis Cavia shows arthouse cinema from around the world, many of them in English. Entrance is only €4.00 (€3.00 for members). The Cavia is also a collective of small film companies. It is also available for rental.

Address: Van Hallstraat 52-1
Tel: +31 (0)20 681 1419

Filmmuseum Vondelpark

The Filmmuseum Vondelpark offers classics in a beautiful seeting at the beginning of the Vondelpark, as well as an open-air cinema in the summer, and hosts theme festivals.

Address: Vondelpark 3
Tel:  +31 (0)20 589 1400

Kriterion

Run by students, the Kriterion cinema on the Roetersstraat in Amsterdam houses a laid-back bar with student rates and offers a variety of films from favourite and well-known avant garde and alternative filmmakers. (Dutch site)

Address: Roetersstraat 170
Tel: +31 (0)20 623 1728

The Movies

A charming art deco filmhouse, The Movies is located in one of the quaintest areas in the city (the Haarlemmerbuurt) and hosts The Wild Kitchen restaurant, a cosy bar and four intimate theaters showing arthouse movies mainly from the US, UK and Holland, but also from other European countries.

Address:  Haarlemmerdijk 161
Tel: +31(0)20 638 60 16

Pathé Arena

The Pathé Arena multiplex near the Ajax stadium in Amsterdam Zuidoost has 14 theaters and a total of 3250 seats. (Dutch site)

Address: ArenA Boulevard 600
Tel: 0900-1458 (In Dutch, €0.35 per minute)

Pathé City Amsterdam

Situated on the Leidseplein, City Amsterdam is the perfect end (or beginning) to an evening of dining, drinks and catching a popular, large-budget movie. (Dutch site)

Address: Kleine Gartman Plantsoen 15-19
Tel: 0900-1458 (In Dutch, €0.35 per minute)

Pathé De Munt

Pathé De Munt is a modern cinema near the Muntplein, Rembrandtplein and Flower Market. It has 2415 seats distributed over 13 theaters and shows blockbuster movies. (Dutch site)

Address: Vijzelstraat 15
Tel: 0900-1458 (In Dutch, €0.35 per minute)

Pathé Tuschinski

'Europe's most beautiful cinema', the 1921 'film palace'  Pathé Tuschinski theater near Rembrandtplein opened its doors in 1921: founder Abraham Tuschinski opened the stunning cinema with the idea that even poor citizens of Amsterdam should be able to imagine themselves 'king for a day' and hence decorated the theater in a impressive potpourri of Amsterdamse school, Jugendstil, art nouveau en art deco. The cinema still remains a favourite, offering high-class films and special arrangements: 'Love seats', which include semi-private two-seater fauteuils, snacks or tapas, and a choice of a glass of champagne, wine or beer or soft drinks;  the VIP arrangement includes balcony seating, champagne and hors d'oeuvres, garderobe service and entrance into the VIP lounge; or the Business Class VIP arrangement with drinks, buffet and balcony seating for up to 20 people.

Address: Reguliersbreestraat 26-34
Tel: 0900-1458 (In Dutch, €0.35 per minute)

Rialto Filmtheater

 The Rialto Filmtheater, a Europa Cinema near the multicultural Pijp area, hosts European, Asian, African and South & Central American films in their original languages mainly with Dutch subtitles.  

Address: Ceintuurbaan 338
Reservations: +31 (0)020 676 8700
Office: +31 (0)20 66 234 88
e-mail:rialto@rialtofilm.nl