There are traditions that, if moved even an inch from their place, seem to lose part of their soul. That must have been what the regulars at Sala Montjuïc thought, as after a special edition held outside its usual setting, it returns home in 2026. The Catalan capital’s premier open-air film series has confirmed its return to the Fossat de Santa Eulàlia, at the foot of the imposing Montjuïc Castle, reviving that ritual of spreading a blanket on the grass while the sea breeze tries, without much success, to outdo the July heat.
The event will kick off on July 10 and run through August 5, featuring a lineup of 16 nights where the giant screen and speakers will take center stage. But it’s not just about sitting down to watch a movie; the experience the festival offers is a full day that begins long before the lights go out, taking advantage of those hours when Barcelona becomes a little more pleasant and the sky begins to turn pink over the city.
A return to its roots with the Festival Grec’s signature touch
The return to the Fossat is not the only new development this year, as the Sala Montjuïc has decided to further strengthen its ties with the Grec Festival, which celebrates its golden anniversary in 2026. This partnership translates into four “Nits Grec” that will bring some of the most powerful titles in recent auteur cinema to the castle. Among them are Three Goodbyes, the new film by Isabel Coixet, and the highly anticipated musical portrait Flowers for Antonio, directed by Isaki Lacuesta and Elena Molina, which will kick off the series in style.
For those who prefer something more along the lines of a pedigree blockbuster, this year’s lineup is a true tasting menu. We’ll be able to see everything from the frenetic pace of Joshua Safdie’s *Marty Supreme* to the visual elegance of Paolo Sorrentino in *La grazia*. Nor will the annual dose of Yorgos Lanthimos be missing with *Bugonia*, ensuring that the quota of strange and fascinating cinema is covered under the stars.
The structure of the evenings remains true to what works: doors open at 8:15 p.m. so the early birds can grab a spot—and unpack their picnic—followed by a concert at 8:45 p.m. For many, live music is the true heart of Sala Montjuïc, and this year’s lineup ranges from the gypsy jazz of Acoustic Guiri to the soul of Gensound and the rumba of Acorde a Ti. It’s the perfect time to grab a bite to eat before the projector starts rolling at 10:00 p.m.
Here is the complete list of films you’ll be able to see at the Sala Montjuïc.
- July 10: Flowers for Antonio (GREC Night)
- July 11: Marty Supreme + Acoustic Guiri
- July 13: Sundays + Donateando
- July 15: Hamnet + Los Stompers
- July 17: Sirât (GREC Night)
- July 18: One Battle After Another + Belén Natalí
- July 20: Three Goodbyes (GREC Night) + Maria Pasqual Quartet
- July 22: Bugonia + Cheap Bliss
- July 24: Fargo (30th Anniversary Special) + Muniats
- July 25: La grazia + La Golden Beat
- July 27: Thelma & Louise + Pierre-Arnaud
- July 29: The Secret Agent (GREC Night) + Bossa Nova Revisited
- July 31: Los Pecadores + Gensound
- August 1: Sentimental Value + Mr Shingles
- August 3: The Royal Tenenbaums (25th Anniversary Special) + Sara Aldana
- August 5: Surprise Film + Suitcase Brothers
Tips for surviving (and enjoying) the experience
If it’s your first time heading up to the Fossat, there are some unwritten rules worth keeping in mind. Even though it’s the height of summer, the castle’s elevation can sometimes bring a treacherous draft, so a light jacket never hurts. What is mandatory is a blanket (unless you want to rent a lounge chair right there) and a good spread of lunch boxes, although there are dining options inside for those who prefer not to cook.
Tickets tend to sell out quickly, especially for the classics and the closing night, so it’s best to keep an eye out for the presale. Additionally, the festival maintains its social commitment by collaborating with Apropa Cultura, ensuring that vulnerable groups can also enjoy these magical nights, which have become, in their own right, the official refuge for Barcelonans who stay in the city during August.
