Cinema is cinema. And it is in Barcelona, in a hall in Albacete and in a shopping mall on the outskirts of Madrid. The relevant thing is the film and the venue is of little importance: if the minimum requirements are met, we will accept octopus as a companion animal, right?
Well, no.
First of all, a nuance: when thinking about movie theaters, it is important to free ourselves from prejudices and think about the B side of the phrase used to promote some films: “Now in the best movie theaters”. are there worse cinemas? Worse would not be the word, perhaps cinemas of occasion or free of the chains of premieres, which is much more heroic. Which would be more appropriate.
To begin with, a good movie theater is like a good bookstore: the first added value will be the criteria of the person or persons who select the films. We will also say that we appreciate a good seat; a sound system according to the latest technological advances; the possibility of to see films projected in 70mm; an attractive price every day of the week (and not only during the spectator’s day or the cinema festival); the option to buy popcorn without having to ask your parents for a guarantee; that the films are projected in original subtitled version; or that to enjoy a movie you do not have to go to a shopping mall.
1. Doré Cinema
Madrid’s Cineteca could be to the city’s cinemas what the Prado is to museums -piri si is ini piniquitiqui-. Probably the institution that does the most to promote and stimulate auteur films and titles that would otherwise be impossible to find. One drawback: uncomfortable seating.
📍 Calle de Santa Isabel, 3
2. Equis Room
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4onm7MD7r4
For Sala Equis, the word “cinema” -or the word “hall”- is too short. It almost makes sense to talk about it as a meeting and creation point. What thirty years ago was a place where erotic movies were screened, in 2019 is almost the same but without the word erotic.
📍 Calle del Duque de Alba, 4
3. Artistic Metropol
In one’s review of the billboard, usually the last place one comes to is Artistic Metropol. As a reminder: “But this cinema also exists. Outside the commercial circuit, this small-sized theater offers titles that were released some time ago. In addition to film courses and workshops.
📍 Calle de las Cigarreras, 6
4. Cineteca
It is quite possible that the Cineteca de Matadero is, together with the Cineteca de Madrid, the theater with the least commercial interests. Cineteca and alternative or independent are words that go hand in hand. On the left hand side goes the word documentary: practically all the films shown here are non-fiction.
📍 Plaza de Legazpi, 8
5. Berlanga Hall
The Sala Berlanga is a key venue for moviegoers who arrive in February with their homework to do. This independent cinema screens films nominated for the Goya Awards. The rest of the year they also offer quality cinema. And at a very competitive price: 3€.
📍Calle de Andres Mellado, 53
6. Casa de América
Casa de América, which could be part of many other lists of cultural interest, has a space dedicated to the programming of Spanish and Latin American cinema. Short films, cycles of all kinds and the perfect balance between films that do not normally enter the commercial circuits and others that do.
📍 Plaza Cibeles, s/n
7. Círculo de Bellas Artes Film Studio
Antonioni, Fellini, Billy Wilder. If there is any place in Madrid to enjoy classic cinema -and many other types of cinema- that place is the Cine del Círculo de Bellas Artes. Super central location and a quality billboard.
📍 Calle del Marqués de Casa Riera, 4
8. Small Cinema Studio
Next to Quevedo is the oldest original version cinema in Madrid. Or, better, the mini-cinema. An old and charming room where classics of our century are screened -I will deny having used this expression-.
📍 Magallanes Street, 1