Berlin Film

On any night in Berlin you can choose from over 150 different films. O.F. or O.V. next to a movie listing means original version (i.e., not dubbed in German); O.m.U. means original version with German subtitles. Check Tip, Zitty, or 030 for theater schedules. Monday through Wednesday are Kinotage at most theaters, with reduced prices and further discounts for those with a student ID. The city also hosts the international Berlinale film festival (Feb. 5-15, 2009).

Arsenal, in the Filmhaus at Potsdamer Pl. (☎030 26 95 51 00; www.fdk-berlin.de). U2, S1, S2, or S25 to “Potsdamer Pl.” Run by the founders of the Berlinale, Arsenal showcases indie films and some classics (€6.50). Frequent appearances by guest directors make the theater a popular meeting place for Berlin’s filmmakers.
Filmkunsthaus Babylon, Rosa-Luxemburg-Str. 30 (☎030 242 59 69; www.babylonberlin.de). U2 to “Rosa-Luxemburg-Pl.” Shows classics like Goodfellas in the main theater and art films from around the world in the intellectual Studiokino (entrance on Hirtenstr.). Main theater M-W €5.50, Th-Su €6.50.
Odeon, Hauptstr. 116 (☎030 78 70 40 19; www.yorck.de). U4 to “Innsbrucker Pl.” One of the 1st English-language theaters in Berlin, Odeon shows mainstream American and British flicks, generally with German subtitles. €7.50, students €7; M €5, Tu-W €6.
CineStar, in the Sony Center, Potsdamer Pl. 4 (☎030 26 06 62 60; www.cinestar.de). S1, S2, or U2 to “Potsdamer Pl.” English-language blockbusters in a huge theater with stadium seating so steep you’ll fear for your life. Last showing around 11pm, M no late show. M and W €6.50, Tu €4.50, F-Sa €7.50; students M and W-Th €5.50, F-Su €6.
Freiluftkino: Berlin buzzes with outdoor movies in summer: Freiluftkino Hasenheide (☎030 283 4603; www.freiluftkino-hasenheide.de), at the Sputnik in Hasenheide park, screens silent films and last year’s blockbusters. €6. U7 or U8 to “Hermannpl.” Freiluftkino Kreuzberg, Mariannenpl. 2 (☎030 29 36 16 28; www.freiluftkino-kreuzberg.de), screens foreign films, €6. U1 or U8 to “Kottbusser Tor.” Freiluftkino Friedrichshain (☎030 29 36 16 29; www.freiluftkino-berlin.de), in Volkspark Friedrichshain, shows modern Hollywood and German films. €6. U5 to “Straußberger Pl.”