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Watching English-language films in Amsterdam

One important thing to know is that the Netherlands generally does not dub films aimed at adults. Hollywood and other English-language films are therefore normally screened in English with Dutch subtitles. This makes mainstream cinemas such as Pathé very easy to visit if you speak English. Foreign-language arthouse films can be slightly more complicated because they may be shown in their original language with Dutch rather than English subtitles. Fortunately, several Amsterdam cinemas offer special screenings with English subtitles. Good options for international visitors include Rialto, Cinecenter, FilmHallen and Ketelhuis. Always check the individual screening before booking, as subtitle languages can differ between films and showtimes.

The best cinemas in Amsterdam

Whether you search for cinema Amsterdam, movie theatres in Amsterdam or even the Dutch phrase bioscopen in Amsterdam, you will quickly discover that the city has much more variety than a typical multiplex destination. These are some of the cinemas worth knowing about.

Pathé Tuschinski: Amsterdam's most famous cinema

Pathé Tuschinski is not simply somewhere to watch a movie. It is one of Amsterdam's attractions in its own right. Opened in 1921, the theatre is famous for its extravagant interior, combining influences including Art Deco and Art Nouveau. Its spectacular main auditorium, stairways, lighting and decorative details make watching a film here completely different from visiting a modern multiplex. The cinema was even named the world's most beautiful cinema by Time Out in 2021. Today, Cinema Tuschinski Amsterdam combines its historic surroundings with modern cinema technology. Its programme includes major international releases alongside selected arthouse films.
Address: Reguliersbreestraat 26-34
Area: City centre, near Rembrandtplein
Best for: The most memorable cinema experience in Amsterdam
Closest Black Bikes rental: Rembrandtplein If you only have time to visit one cinema during your stay, Tuschinski is difficult to beat.

Pathé Arena: the best choice for IMAX in Amsterdam

If screen size and spectacle matter more than historic surroundings, head to Pathé Arena. Located next to the Johan Cruijff ArenA, Ziggo Dome and AFAS Live in Amsterdam Zuidoost, this large modern multiplex specialises in blockbuster cinema. Most importantly, Pathé Arena has an IMAX screen. It also offers 4DX screenings, where moving seats and environmental effects are synchronised with the film. That makes it one of the best choices for action movies, science-fiction films and other releases designed for the biggest possible screen.
Address: Johan Cruijff Boulevard 600
Area: Amsterdam Zuidoost
Best for: IMAX, 4DX and major blockbusters
Closest Black Bikes rental: Amstel Quarters For visitors specifically searching for IMAX Amsterdam, Pathé Arena should be near the top of the list.

Rialto Cinema Amsterdam

Rialto De Pijp is one of Amsterdam's classic neighbourhood cinemas and an excellent choice if you prefer international and independent films to mainstream blockbusters. The cinema has been part of De Pijp since the 1920s and focuses heavily on world cinema, documentaries, independent productions and arthouse releases. Rialto is particularly useful for international residents and visitors. English-language films are shown regularly, while selected foreign-language films are screened with English subtitles. Rialto currently dedicates Monday evenings to selected English-subtitled screenings.
Address: Ceintuurbaan 338
Area: De Pijp
Best for: Arthouse cinema, world cinema and English-subtitled screenings
Closest Black Bikes rental: De Pijp

De Uitkijk Cinema Amsterdam

Hidden beside the Prinsengracht, De Uitkijk feels almost like discovering a cinema from another era. The building was converted into a cinema in 1912 and became Filmtheater De Uitkijk in 1929. It developed into an important home for avant-garde and independent film in the Netherlands. Today, De Uitkijk remains an intimate, student-run cinema specialising in arthouse productions, independent films, restored classics and special screenings. With only a small auditorium and a wonderfully old-fashioned atmosphere, it offers almost the opposite experience of a large multiplex.
Address: Prinsengracht 452
Area: Historic city centre, near Leidseplein
Best for: Classic films and intimate arthouse cinema
Closest Black Bikes rental: Leidseplein For serious film enthusiasts, De Uitkijk Cinema Amsterdam is one of the city's hidden gems.

Cinecenter Amsterdam

Close to Leidseplein and directly opposite the Melkweg, Cinecenter Amsterdam is a small independent cinema with four screening rooms. Its programme concentrates on international arthouse films and independent cinema, with particularly strong representation from European filmmakers. Cinecenter is also one of the better choices for international moviegoers because it regularly screens films with English subtitles.
Address: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 10
Area: Leidseplein / city centre
Best for: International arthouse cinema and English subtitles
Closest Black Bikes rental: Leidseplein Its central location also makes Cinecenter easy to combine with dinner, drinks or nightlife around Leidseplein.

De FilmHallen Amsterdam

Located inside the beautifully converted De Hallen complex in Amsterdam West, De FilmHallen combines the scale of a larger cinema with the programming of an independent film house. It has nine screens and shows a mixture of Hollywood releases, European cinema, documentaries, arthouse films and festival programming. One of its most distinctive spaces is the Parisien auditorium, which incorporates an original Art Deco cinema interior dating back to the early twentieth century. FilmHallen also organises Expat Cinema screenings, where selected non-English films are shown with English subtitles.
Address: Hannie Dankbaarpassage 12
Area: Oud-West
Best for: A broad film selection, English-subtitled screenings and combining cinema with food
Closest Black Bikes rental: Vondelpark The surrounding De Hallen complex also contains the popular Foodhallen, making this one of the easiest places to turn a movie into a complete evening out.

Studio/K Amsterdam

In Amsterdam Oost, Studio/K combines a cinema with a café, restaurant, music venue and cultural programme. The organisation is run largely by students and has a distinctly younger and more alternative atmosphere than Amsterdam's commercial cinemas. Its film programme includes independent productions, international cinema, documentaries, classics and special programmes that you are less likely to find at a mainstream theatre.
Address: Timorplein 62
Area: Amsterdam Oost
Best for: Alternative cinema and a relaxed local atmosphere
Closest Black Bikes rental: Muiderpoort Studio/K is especially worthwhile if you want your cinema visit to feel more like a night at a cultural venue than a conventional trip to the movies.

Ketelhuis Amsterdam

Located inside the historic Westergas complex in Westerpark, Het Ketelhuis is closely associated with Dutch cinema. Its programme includes Dutch productions, documentaries and international arthouse films as well as premieres, festivals and special events. International visitors should keep an eye out for screenings of Dutch and international films with English subtitles.
Address: Pazzanistraat 4
Area: Westerpark
Best for: Dutch film, documentaries and independent cinema
Closest Black Bikes rental: Spaarndammerbuurt The location is another major advantage. Westerpark and the surrounding Westergas cultural complex contain restaurants, bars, exhibitions and events, so there is plenty to do before or after your film.

The Movies Amsterdam

The Movies Amsterdam on Haarlemmerdijk is another cinema where the building is almost as much of an attraction as the films themselves. It is one of Amsterdam's classic neighbourhood cinemas and has retained an intimate atmosphere despite modernisation over the years. The programme combines arthouse cinema, documentaries, classics and selected mainstream releases.
Address: Haarlemmerdijk 161
Area: Haarlemmerbuurt
Best for: Character, classics and arthouse films
Closest Black Bikes rental: Spaarndammerbuurt Combine a screening with a walk along Haarlemmerdijk and Haarlemmerstraat, two lively streets filled with independent shops, cafés and restaurants.

Eye Filmmuseum

For anyone genuinely interested in film, Eye Filmmuseum deserves a place on the list even if you are not planning to see a new release. Located directly across the IJ from Amsterdam Central Station, the striking white building combines a cinema, film museum, exhibitions, archive and restaurant. Its four cinemas screen everything from new arthouse productions to restored classics, retrospectives, experimental cinema and special film programmes.
Address: IJpromenade 1
Area: Amsterdam Noord
Best for: Film history, exhibitions, classics and special screenings
Closest Black Bikes rental: Amsterdam Central Station Take the free ferry from behind Central Station to reach Amsterdam Noord and Eye.

LAB111

Another favourite among Amsterdam film enthusiasts is LAB111 in Oud-West. Located in a former pathological anatomy laboratory, the cultural venue has developed a reputation for unusual programming. Expect cult movies, classics, retrospectives, animation, horror, independent cinema and films you may struggle to find elsewhere. LAB111 also regularly caters to Amsterdam's international audience with English-friendly screenings.
Address: Arie Biemondstraat 111
Area: Oud-West
Best for: Cult films, retrospectives and unusual programming
Closest Black Bikes rental: Vondelpark

Open-air cinema in Amsterdam

Cinema doesn't always mean sitting inside a dark theatre. During the warmer months, open-air cinema in Amsterdam becomes surprisingly popular. Temporary screens appear on rooftops, beside the water, in courtyards and at unusual locations around the city. Recurring events include outdoor screenings at Pllek in Amsterdam Noord, rooftop and outdoor screenings organised by Cityscape Cinema and the annual Pluk de Nacht film festival. Pluk de Nacht is particularly popular with film enthusiasts. Instead of focusing on mainstream releases, the festival screens international films, independent productions, documentaries and other titles that have often appeared at international film festivals. Other outdoor film programmes take place around the city throughout summer. Because Amsterdam's outdoor cinema programme changes from year to year and depends heavily on the season, it is worth checking the current programme shortly before your visit.

Which Amsterdam cinema should you choose?

If you simply want to see the latest Hollywood movie in English, one of the Pathé cinemas is usually the easiest choice. For something more distinctive:
  • Best overall experience: Pathé Tuschinski
  • Best IMAX experience: Pathé Arena
  • Best for world cinema: Rialto
  • Best for English-subtitled arthouse films: Rialto, Cinecenter and FilmHallen
  • Best historic independent cinema: De Uitkijk
  • Best alternative atmosphere: Studio/K
  • Best for Dutch cinema: Ketelhuis
  • Best for film history: Eye Filmmuseum
  • Best for cult films and retrospectives: LAB111
  • Best cinema-and-food combination: FilmHallen
  • Best summer experience: one of Amsterdam's open-air cinemas

Amsterdam cinematography: movies filmed in Amsterdam

Amsterdam isn't only a city that loves cinema. It has also appeared on the big screen countless times. The canals, narrow houses, bridges and instantly recognisable streets make Amsterdam an attractive location for international filmmakers. Perhaps the most famous recent example is The Fault in Our Stars, in which Amsterdam plays an important role in the story. Several scenes were filmed around the canals, including the famous bench scene. The city has also appeared in major productions such as Ocean's Twelve, the James Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever and The Hitman's Bodyguard. Dutch films and television naturally offer an even broader look at Amsterdam, from historic portrayals of the city to modern stories built around everyday life in its neighbourhoods. For film fans, spotting movies filmed in Amsterdam can therefore be another fun way to explore the city.

Films about Amsterdam

If watching a movie has made you curious about the city itself, there are also plenty of films about Amsterdam. Some use Amsterdam merely as a spectacular background, while others make the city an essential part of the story. Productions set in Amsterdam can take you from the seventeenth-century canal belt and wartime history to modern nightlife, relationships and everyday life in the city's neighbourhoods. It also works the other way around: after spending a few days exploring Amsterdam, watching a film shot around the canals becomes much more entertaining when you suddenly recognise the streets and bridges on screen.

Discover Amsterdam before or after the movie

One advantage of Amsterdam's cinemas is that many are located in neighbourhoods worth exploring in their own right. Tuschinski puts you within walking distance of Rembrandtplein and the historic canal belt. Rialto is surrounded by the cafés, restaurants and streets of De Pijp. FilmHallen sits in the middle of Oud-West, Ketelhuis is surrounded by Westerpark and Westergas, while Studio/K gives you a reason to explore Amsterdam Oost. Instead of treating a movie as an isolated activity, combine it with a neighbourhood tour, dinner, drinks or a bike ride through one of the many neighbourhoods of Amsterdam, and find more inspiration in our guide to things to do in Amsterdam. And if the weather turns typically Dutch, you now know exactly where to escape for a couple of hours of cinema.