Barcelona has lost 100 cinemas in the last 20 years, and since 2010 18% of its cinemas have disappeared. The cinematographic heritage of the city is lost, and that is why we present you a list of the best movie theaters in the city where you can enjoy the best films and remember that culture is not only the films that are recorded, but also the theaters where they are projected.
Maldà, the jewel of another era
The Palau Maldà cinema is one of those jewels that give meaning to the culture of the city center. Located inside what was once the former Palau del Baró de Maldà (in what is now the geek mecca in Barcelona), the space is one of those of another era: a one-room cinema, with barely 200 seats and an independent and alternative programming.
The price and the offer is also from another era. The Maldà invites you to do movie marathons: for 5,5€ on weekdays and 7,5€ on weekends you have access to all the films of the day to binge without leaving your seat. If we add to that its flat rate the result says that the Maldà is a must.
📍 Carrer del Pi, 5
Comedy, the imperial cinema (at 5 euros!
Another one of those anchored to another era. If the Maldà is the small neighborhood cinema, the Comedia is the colossal and showy cinema that shines in the center of the city. Located on the corner of Paseo de Gracia and Gran Via, its magnificent and grandiloquent building houses several theaters that screen a more commercial offer but that maintains the original version.
The best thing is Who does it forever for the same laughable price: 5 euros for any screening, any film, any day.
By the way, following in the wake of the geeky, the Comedy is the favorite place for fans of sagas like Harry Potter or the Lord of the Rings to come to the premieres in costume and riding the first screening in a real side show to the film.
📍 Passeig de Gràcia, 3
Zumzeig, neighborhood, cooperative, non-profit cinema
The Zumzeig is another such gem. Its name (buzzing, in Catalan), defines its essence: a low but vibrant and sustained sound of alternative and vindicative cinema, in a space that is, by itself, a vindication of cinema for the love of art.
The Zumzeig is a cooperative cinema in the cooperative neighborhood par excellence, Sants, and operates on a non-profit basis: the profits go to the cinema itself.
Its proposal, groundbreaking, has been working for years, and having a drink in its bar designed with recyclable materials after watching an auteur film in its unique room is one of the great ideas you can have in the city.
📍 Carrer de Bèjar, 53
Phenomena Experience Room
Another one whose name says it all. Going to the Phenomena is to recover the experience of going to the classic cinema of a lifetime. Its red velvet décor and accent lights transport us to the red carpet of a Hollywood movie theater in the 1980s.
As they say, “the experience of a movie theater like those of yesteryear, with the best technology of today”. A great image and sound system to project films that flee from the premieres (without renouncing them altogether), to focus on classic blockbusters that, again, will make us travel to the cinemas of our childhood.
📍 Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 168
Cinemes Girona, the home of small festivals
The Cinemes Girona are perhaps not the most beautiful, but they are undoubtedly one of the most dynamic. With an insane annual subscription this small hall has become the home of small and medium format film festivals, with all kinds of proposals.
In addition, more than 100 premieres a year of auteur films and children’s cycles with complementary activities that go beyond the films, and that turn this theater into a living room where you can watch high quality cinema.
📍 Carrer de Girona, 175
Cinemes Verdi, the alternative mainstream
In the most hipster neighborhood of Barcelona could not miss the most hipster cinema in the city. It has more than 100 years of history, and its billboard is the first that comes to mind when we think of alternative cinema.
Auteur films, in-house programming, previews or unreleased films (La festa de l’espectador) and revivals of classics (Dijous d’Imprescindibles). In short, everything the gracienc culturalist needs to feel that he has seen the cinema he has to see.
📍 Carrer de Verdi, 32
Cinemes Texas, “The Revenant”
The legendary Texas Cinemas have reopened after three years of closure. And they have done so by following that maxim of “change everything so as not to have to change anything”. The new project is a cultural facility dedicated to artistic production in Catalan that will not only have two movie theaters, but will also house a theater.
📍 C/ de Bailèn, 205
Cine Premium Sant Cugat, the cinema with all luxuries
Entradas para Cines Yelmo en Barcelona: ¡toda la cartelera!
You can go to the cinema to see a movie, or to treat yourself to a complete American-style experience. The Yelmo Premium in Sant Cugat is what it offers, with extra-comfortable seats and bar service served directly in the room. Forget simple popcorn, and say hello to nachos, pizzas and mini burgers while you watch your movie.
via Augusta Avenue, 2-14