One thing that amazed me about Spain when I came here years ago was that all the foreign language programmes and films on TV didn’t have subtitles but were dubbed instead. Unfortunately, this tradition does extend to movie theatres. Don’t despair, Barcelona, being a cosmopolitan city, does have cinemas that offer films in original version. So, if you feel like catching a flick in the city without listening to Sylvester Stallone speaking Spanish, let me direct you to the right movie houses.
INDEX
Barcelona Movie theatres in original version
Verdi Cinemas
Located in the very trendy neighbourhood of Gràcia these cinemas have a mix of new international releases and Art films. Beware that queues can be very long at weekends with some of the more popular films selling out. This borough has great eateries, cool bars and outdoor terraces so make a night out of it.
Filmoteca de Catalunya
Built in the heart of El Raval this square concrete block will have you scratching your head. Any time I have viewed a film here I take the escalators down underground (eeck). It is super cheap to enter as it is owned by the city council. This cinema deals in World films and tends to show all those old and new classics. The website is not very user-friendly so it might be worth just dropping by to look at the programme and check out its cool bar with a massive outdoor terrace.
Filmoteca de Catalunya programme
Renoir Floridablanca
Situated near Sant Antoni, it has 7 screens and would cater more to the Art house scene. Not far from the shopping zone, it might be a nice way to wind down after a frenzied day of clothes shopping. Afterwards, you could head into El Raval for alternative bars and cheap eateries.
Renoir Floridablanca programme
Cinemes Girona
Three screened Art cinema located in Eixample. It shows the latest releases and, if you understand Catalan, you can pre-book your tickets online through their website. Most of the films are in original version but please note that some are also dubbed to Spanish.
Also, for any music fans out there, check out the In-Edit film festival (around November) that has great music documentaries many of them in English.
Yelmo Westfield La Maquinista
This cinema is inside a shopping centre and has many screens. It shows the latest blockbusters and has a huge variety to choose from. The queues here are never long and it is worthwhile checking on its website the days when it is cheaper to enter. Bear in mind that not all movies are in original version and some of them will be dubbed to Spanish. Always check beforehand.
Yelmo Westfield La Maquinista programme
I hope this helps any of you out there who like myself love having the time to go to the cinema while on holiday. You can also check this helpful website with all the info easily accessible: English Cinema Barcelona.
Photograph by Moritz Barcelona
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