Between small theaters, independent bets and projects with public aid there is a varied offer of cheap cinemas in Madrid. Although the loss of some cinemas as significant as Cines Conde Duque speaks of the complicated moment in which the industry finds itself, alternatives continue to emerge to attract viewers to theaters and survive the era of subscription streaming platforms.
1. Ideal Cinema
The Ideal cinema has two attractions: it is one of the oldest in the capital, although it was inaugurated in 1916, it retains little of its original appearance; and it is also one of the cheapest cinemas in Madrid. Since 1990 it belongs to Cine Yelmo, one of the largest cinema chains in Spain and Europe, which has other cinemas spread throughout the Community of Madrid: Planetocio, Tres Aguas, Rivas Futura, Islazul, Plenilunio Tradicional, Plaza Norte II and Parque Corredor. You can consult its billboard focused on the great premieres of the season, although you can also find Spanish and European cinema more unknown by the general public, in addition to including original version screenings in some of its cinemas.
Price: 7,90 €.
Location: Dr Cortezo Street, 6 (Downtown)
2. Filmoteca – Cine Doré
The Doré cinema and the Filmoteca Española coexist in the same building in Madrid, in the neighborhood of Lavapiés. Although it was inaugurated in December 1912 as Salón Doré, its form, use and name of cinema was given in 1923. It was renovated by Manuel López-Mora Villegas in 1925.
Since February 28, 1989, the Doré cinema is the screening room of Filmoteca Española, and is used both for its programming and for all kinds of outreach activities to disseminate the Spanish film heritage and about cinema in general: book presentations, seminars, round tables, colloquiums, and conferences, among other activities related to this art.
Price: one ticket 3 €.
Location:Santa Isabel street, 3 (Lavapiés)
4. Embajadores Cinema
The Embajadores Cinema is a small beacon of light for those who enjoy the seventh art, which is becoming increasingly difficult to find neighborhood cinemas. In its small theaters you can see not only movie premieres, always in original version, but also independent documentaries, and even live opera broadcasts.
Price: 5,5€.
Location:Glorieta de Santa María de la Cabeza, 5 (Arganzuela) and Calle de Ercilla, 53 (Arganzuela).
5. Artistic Metropol
Among the cheap cinemas in Madrid, Artistic Metropol is off the commercial circuit. This small theater offers double sessions of re-release films, as well as independent films and short films. In fact, it is possible to reserve one of its rooms to make your own premiere. In addition, there are film courses and workshops.
Price: a ticket from 4,5 €.
Location: Cigarreras street, 6 (Embajadores)
6. Cineteca
The Cineteca de Matadero also focuses on less commercial cinema. This space, which has been operating since 2011, after five years of transformation of the old refrigerators and boiler of the municipal slaughterhouse, bets mainly on the most current and risky non-fiction cinema. So much so that the international film festival Documenta Madrid is held here.
Price: Tickets from 3,5 €.
Location: Plaza de Legazpi, 8 (Matadero)
7. Berlanga Hall
The Sala Berlanga belongs to the SGAE Foundation and therefore bears the name of its founder and filmmaker: Luis García Berlanga. It is dedicated to the support and promotion of authors. It is a space that has a room with a capacity of 233 seats, which can be projected in both 35 mm and Digital 4k-3D.
It hosts film cycles and specialized festivals, giving space to short films and documentaries, as well as functioning as an exhibition hall, for concerts and dramatic performances. In addition, every year it screens the films nominated for the Goya Awards, at a reduced price, before the big ceremony of Spanish cinema takes place.
General admission 6,5 €.
Location:Andrés Mellado Street, 53 (Chamberí)