Barcelona Film

Though the giant, Hollywood-oriented Cinesa theaters are the most prominent options for movies, Barcelona also fosters an array of small theaters that prefer to show independent and foreign films, usually at independent prices. Check the Guía del Ocio or other cultural guides for film festivals and screenings that are sometimes held at cultural centers like CCCB or even clubs like Sala Apolo. The Cine section in the Guía del Ocio denotes subtitled films with V.O. (original version) subtitulada ; other foreign films are dubbed (doblado) , usually in Spanish. Most theaters have a discount day (usually Monday or Wednesday).

Filmoteca Aquitània, Av. Sarrià, 33, (☎934 10 75 90). Hospital Clínic. Shows classic and cult films that span the medium’s history, often as part of an extended series dedicated to particular directors, actors, and themes (100 American Films, all of Elia Kazan, and so on). All films screened in V.O. with subtitles in Castilian or Catalan. Tickets €2.70, students and seniors €2. 10 tickets €18. MC/V.
Méliès Cinemas, C. de Villarroel, 102 (☎93 215 11 88; www.cinesmelies.net). Urgell. Shows mostly independent films on its 2 screens, usually a year or two after their release, always in V.O. with subtitles in Castellano. M €4.50, Tu-Su €6.
Casablanca-Kaplan, Pg. de Gràcia 115 (☎932 18 43 45). Shows independent foreign films in V.O. along with nearby Casablanca-Gracias (Girona, 175; ☎934 59 03 26; currently undergoing renovations but expected to reopen by the end of 2009). Tickets €6.50, M €4.80. Cash only.
Arenas Cine-Gay, C. Disputació, 5 (☎934 23 11 69). Espanya. Off C. Tarragona just below Princep Jorgi. Shows a selection of action, comedy, and drama from the last decade. Main screen not exclusively gay. Check Guia del Ocio for movie times. Tickets €7.50.
Renoir Floridablanca, (☎93 426 33 37), Port Vell, in Moll d’Espanya next to the Aquàrium. Universitat.7 screens that show foreign and independent films, catering to nearby university students. Films always shown in V.O. Tickets M €5, Tu-Th and Su €6.50, F-Sa €7. MC/V.
Maldà, C. del Pi, 5 (☎934 81 37 04; www.cinemalda.es). Liceu. Inside Galerías Maldá. Only 1 screening room, but an ambitious selection of contemporary foreign independent films, screened in VO with Castilian subtitles. Keep an eye out for double features and small film festivals hosted here. Tickets M €5, T-Th €6.50, F-Sa €7.
VOID, Ferlandina, 51. (☎934 43 42 03; www.void-bcn.com). Universitat. George Clooney watches 2 movies a day in his personal screening room, and now you can, too. This video club rents out a 30-person capacity screening room where you can watch whatever you want, either from the club’s extensive collection or BYO (2hr. €40). Also rents movies from said collection (€3 per 3 days). Open Tu-Su 4:30-10:30pm. Cash only.

A Movie Under The Stars. Head up the hill to Sala Montjuïc, an annual 5-week film series in the moat of Castell de Montjuïc. Bring a picnic, settle down on the lawn, and listen to live music before the show. Summer (from late June to early Aug) M, W, F at 8:30pm; buy tickets at the castle the day of (€5, deckchair rental €3) or online at www.servicaixa.com.

English Language And Hollywood Cinema

Icaria-Yelmo, C. Salvador Espriu, 61 (☎932 21 75 85; www.yelmocineplex.es), in the Olympic Village. With 15 screens, major releases are sure to pass through here and are always shown in V.O. The place for your Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean fix. Tickets €7.40, M €5.70, matinees €5.90.
Cinesa Maremagnum (☎902 33 32 31), Port Vell, in Moll d’Espanya next to the Aquàrium. Drassanes. 8 screens show mainstream film releases, usually dubbed in Castellano. Tickets available by phone or ServiCaixa. Tickets €7.40, W €5.60. MC/V.
IMAX Port Vell, Moll d’Espanya s/n. (☎932 25 11 11; www.imaxportvell.com). Barceloneta. Along Port Vell, next to Maremagnum. Boasts an IMAX screen, an Omnimax 30m in diameter, and 3D projection. Get tickets at the door, through ServiCaixa, or by phone. Open noon-11:20pm. Tickets €13, matinees €8.10. MC/V.