You’ll find cinemas all over the city, but there are a few independent movie houses that deserve special mention. If you’re looking to see good film in Madrid, whether that means independent, foreign, blockbuster or simply in original version (versión original, i.e. V.O.), check out the list below.
A great website to find out about free or €3 film screenings in original version every week is madridfree.com. You can also use entradas.com for complete listings and buying tickets online throughout the city.
Also note that most cinemas have a “día del espectador” when tickets cost less, and if you have a “carnet joven” or one of many types of discount cards, you can usually get a few euros knocked off.
1. Plaza de los Cubos, (metro Plaza de España)
Right by Plaza de España, you’ll find two cinemas – Cines Renoir (c/ Princesa, 3 & Martín de los Heros, 12) and Golem (c/ Martín de los Heros, 14) – showcasing films from around the world in original version, with subtitles in Spanish. Prices are standard. Cines Renoir has another location near Retiro, on calle Narváez, 42 (metros Goya & Ibiza).
I recommend getting a drink before your movie starts at the film-bookshop across the street, Ocho y Medio Libros de Cine.
2. Yelmo Cines Ideal, Plaza de Jacinto Benavente (metros Sol & Tirso de Molina)
Cine Ideal is perhaps the most popular movie theater in Madrid showing films in original version. I highly recommend this cinema because they feature great blockbuster movies as well as independent films, from Spain and around the world, and they’re never dubbed.
3. La Filmoteca Española (Cine Doré), c/ Santa Isabel, 3 (metro Antón Martín)
One of Madrid’s most special places, Cine Doré sits in a very old theater and revives all types of films from different eras and corners of the world. Here you can see movies from the 50’s from Korea, to the 90’s from France, and even more recent films from the US – you never know! Nevertheless, if you go, you’ll be happy to find yourself in a charming atmosphere and tickets are extremely cheap, just 2,50€! (and only 2€ if you have a student ID or carnet joven)
4. La Cineteca, Plaza de Legazpi, 8 (metro Legazpi)
Inside El Matadero, a former slaughterhouse turned cultural hub, La Cineteca is an awesome theater showcasing all types of films, from documentaries to independent foreign film festivals, at an unbeatable price: 3,50€. Some are even free. Plus you get to walk around El Matadero, which, if you haven’t been, is an absolute must.
5. Sala Berlanga, c/ Andrés Mellado 53 (metros Islas Filipinas & Argüelles)
If you’re looking to see Spanish films, this is the place. Sala Berlanga showcases Spanish-language films for 3€, and it is a hallmark of Spanish cinema culture in Madrid.
6. Cultural Centers
You can also see screenings at some of Madrid’s most welcoming cultural centers and embassies (usually for free), such as the French Institute, Korean Cultural Center and Russian Cultural Center.
7. Outdoor Summer Cinema
Madrid’s cultural centers, museums and municipal buildings are also great at putting on films outside, either on their terraces or rooftops, or in their indoor patios, making the most of the city’s cool summer nights. Espacio Madrid usually puts up a good listing.
What’s your favorite cinema in Madrid? Have we missed something? Let us know!
Also check out: Salaequis, a former XXX theatre that’s been transformed into one of the city’s hotspots near Tirso de Molina
