Amsterdam Special Cinemas and Film Houses

For film lovers, it’s a treat to have the chance to explore the world of Amsterdam’s specialty cinemas and film houses. Whether you’re a local looking for something beyond the blockbuster or a visitor seeking an offbeat experience, this city has a theatre for every type of cinephile. Especially on a rainy day, when you feel like hiding from the grey sky for a little while, you can choose to see a movie at one of these amazing places. And if you visit the cinema more often than just when you have to hide from the rain, you can consider getting yourself a Cineville card and enjoy limitless movies around the city every month.

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A guide to some of the most charming and unusual cinemas in Amsterdam that you’ll love discovering.

EYE Filmmuseum

This iconic building by the IJ River is not only a museum but also a cinema with a selection of world cinema, documentaries, and experimental films. As a national film museum, the Eye manages more than 55.000 films from all genres. It organises various exhibitions and events throughout the year, and it’s internationally acclaimed. It can be a full day experience with visiting the exhibition, watching a movie and stopping by the beautiful café.

Rialto in De Pijp

Located in the De Pijp neighbourhood, Rialto is a cozy, independent cinema known for screening indie films, documentaries, and foreign films you won’t find anywhere else. It’s the perfect spot if you love to experience world cinema in an intimate, friendly setting. Plus, the café is ideal for a post-film discussion. If you don’t speak Dutch, then you’ll have to check the list of English-spoken films or the foreign films with English subtitle.

The Movies

Amsterdam’s oldest cinema, dating back to 1912, The Movies brings a classic, old-school vibe with its art deco interior and red velvet seats. Quite the setting for a special cinema experience! They offer a wide range of films, from indie and arthouse to bigger international releases. After the show, you can stop by the restaurant for a dinner.

Lab 111

Located in an old pathological anatomical laboratory, this quirky venue offers a mix of classics, arthouse films, and retrospectives. The building’s fascinating history adds an extra layer of atmosphere (just don’t think too much about it) making each screening feel like a special event. They also organise various events like special screenings and small festivals (don’t forget to check the language requirements). LAB111 features a cozy bar and restaurant as well, perfect for a casual drink or meal before or after the movie.

Kriterion

Founded in 1945 for students, to help them find a job to pay for their studies, Kriterion is still run by students today. This is not just a cinema but also a cultural hotspot with a long and turbulent history that began during the Second World War with the resistance group around Wouter van Zeytveld and Piet Meerburg. Before transforming this place into a cinema, the group was part of the Resistance and saved Jewish children by hiding them at locations around the city.
Today, you’ll find here an eclectic mix of art house, classic, and experimental films in an unpretentious and relaxed setting. It’s perfect for those who like a casual, community-driven cinema experience.

De Uitkijk

This charming little cinema is one of the oldest in Amsterdam and offers a cozy, vintage experience. With just one screen, De Uitkijk focuses on showing classic, independent, and auteur films. Since 2007, De Uitkijk has been a sister project of the Kriterion foundation and is run by students.

Cinecenter

Cinecenter, an intimate and cozy arthouse movie theatre in the center of Amsterdam (near Leidseplein), is ideal for watching independent and European films that are often hard to find elsewhere. Many of these come with English subtitles, but you’ll have to check in advance.

FC Hyena

FC Hyena in the north of Amsterdam offers a fresh take on the cinema experience. This is a small boutique cinema that focuses on art house films and documentaries but also offers a dining experience with locally-sourced meals. The casual, living room-style setup makes you feel right at home.

FilmHallen

Located in De Hallen complex (a former tram depot) in Amsterdam West, FilmHallen is a stylish cinema with a range of films from Hollywood blockbusters to indie and European releases. The interior, with its industrial-chic design, gives it a unique vibe, and you can enjoy the surrounding food court before or after your movie.

Pathé Tuschinski

Although part of the big Pathé chain and not a quirky cinema, Tuschinski is a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s often regarded as one of the most beautiful cinemas in the world, with its stunning Art Deco and Jugendstil interior. They show a variety of films, including major international releases, but it’s the atmosphere that will leave you speechless. If you don’t believe me, just enter the main hallway and look around, and then you’ll understand. Every detail of this building was carefully designed and executed and you’ll feel as if you’re there for some opera or theatre show, not your regular Hollywood movie.

Studio/K

Another place run by a group of students, Studio/K is a combination of a cinema, music and events venue, gallery and restaurant. The films are a mix of mainstream and international. Also a location for the Sprouts Festival.

Filmhuis Cavia

Founded in 1983 by a squatter’s movement, Filmhuis Cavia is the smallest cinema in Amsterdam (only 40 seats), a non-profit and the oldest underground film house in the city. They pay a special attention to LGBTQ+ and activist causes.

Ketelhuis

In the beautiful Westerpark, Westergas cultural complex is home for a couple of entertainment venues. Among these, the Ketelhuis Cinema, an international arthouse and documentary film run by a team of volunteers, stands out. You can have a stop at the bar and then watch a movie from the selection of small, artistic and more commercial feature films, documentaries and short films. They also host annual festivals including Cinekid , Roze Filmdagen and Humans of Film.

Bonus – Pluk de Nacht (Outdoor cinema)

This one’s a bit different – Pluk de Nacht is an annual outdoor film festival that takes place during summer. Screenings are held by the IJ River, offering the special experience of enjoying films under the stars. Bring a blanket, grab a drink from the bar, and enjoy a relaxed night of indie and classic films by the water.

With such a great selection of specialty cinemas, maybe next time you want to catch a movie you’ll choose to skip the usual multiplex and explore one of these hidden gems in Amsterdam!

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