A Comfortable Cinema Night in Amsterdam
There are countless ways to spend an evening in Amsterdam — from cozy canal walks to lively theatre nights. But have you ever considered a film? Not every movie night is created equal. In this city, you can step into an art-deco palace once called the most beautiful cinema in the world, sip wine while watching an arthouse gem, or take a ferry to a screen with a river view. Beyond the mainstream multiplexes, Amsterdam hides film halls where history, architecture, and atmosphere steal the show. These are the cinemas where your night out becomes a story worth telling.
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And if you’re wondering where to begin, there’s one cinema that towers above the rest — a legendary art-deco jewel that has enchanted audiences for more than a century.
Pathé Tuschinski – The world’s most beautiful cinema
On a chilly October evening in 1921, the grand doors of Abraham Tuschinski’s dream opened for the first time. A Polish tailor turned entertainment entrepreneur, he wanted to bring pure glamour to Amsterdam. The opening night dazzled with chandeliers, stained glass, velvet seats, and music from a live orchestra. Locals whispered that it felt more like entering a royal opera house than a movie theater.
But Tuschinski’s story also carries a darker edge. During the Second World War, the cinema was taken over by German occupiers, and its founder was deported and killed in Auschwitz. After the war, the building was carefully restored, becoming both a monument to his vision and to his loss. Since then, the cinema has hosted countless international premieres. When Daniel Craig walked the red carpet for a James Bond release, the entire Reguliersbreestraat glittered like Hollywood.
🎥 Why go
Tuschinski is more than a cinema — it’s a time capsule of 1920s grandeur, blending art-deco, art nouveau, and Amsterdam School design. Often crowned the world’s most beautiful cinema, it makes every screening feel like an event.
💺 Comfort factor
Velvet seats, gilded balconies, and private “love seats” for two turn an ordinary film into a gala night. Look up, and you’ll see a ceiling sparkling like a starry night.
✨ Travelglaze tip
Take a guided tour during the day to uncover the hidden details: hand-painted walls, stained-glass windows, and stories you’d miss in the dark.
The Movies – Amsterdam’s oldest cinema
When The Movies first opened in 1912, film itself was still an experiment. Locals crowded the Haarlemmerdijk to see the flickering light of silent films dance across the screen, accompanied by live piano. Through two World Wars and more than a century of change, this cinema never lost its charm. Writers and actors gathered in its bar, and festivals like the Amsterdam Spanish Film Festival still bring international flair to its halls. Walking inside feels like stepping back to the golden days of cinema.
🎥 Why go
As the oldest working cinema in Amsterdam, The Movies offers both history and atmosphere. Its art-deco touches and creaky wooden details make every visit a small time-travel.
💺 Comfort factor
Small, intimate screening rooms and a cozy bar and restaurant give the feeling of a living room rather than a commercial theater.
✨ Travelglaze tip
Stay after the film for a drink — the Haarlemmerdijk at night is lively yet laid-back, the perfect setting for a slow evening out.
🎬 Rialto – World cinema with charm
When Rialto opened its doors in 1921, it quickly became more than just a neighborhood cinema. From the start, it specialized in films from around the world — long before “world cinema” was a trend. Its intimate halls in De Pijp became a meeting place for Amsterdam’s cultural crowd, with debates, lectures, and festivals adding depth to the screenings. Over the years, Rialto has championed independent voices and global perspectives, making it a beacon for cinephiles who seek something different.
🎥 Why go
Rialto is the place to discover stories from every corner of the world. With an arthouse program and cultural events, it brings a global feel to a local night out.
💺 Comfort factor
Intimate screening rooms with good sound and sightlines, plus a café atmosphere where you can linger before or after.
✨ Travelglaze tip
Check the agenda during festivals like World Cinema Amsterdam — Rialto shines brightest when the world comes to its screens.
🎞️ De Filmhallen – Historic meets modern
Behind the walls of a former tram depot in Amsterdam West lies one of the city’s most surprising cinemas. De Filmhallen opened in 2014, but its centerpiece — Hall 7 — is a lovingly restored theater, complete with retro details that recall the golden age of film. The contrast is striking: step from the industrial vibe of the Foodhallen into a hall where red velvet and warm light create pure nostalgia. Over the years, it has become a favorite for both mainstream blockbusters and arthouse premieres, giving every visitor a choice between comfort and discovery.
Why go
It’s a cinema that combines the energy of a modern film complex with the charm of a classic movie hall. Hall 7 alone makes it worth a visit.
Comfort factor
Large screens, modern sound, and comfortable seating — but also the intimate retro experience of Hall 7 if you want something unique.
Travelglaze tip
Arrive early and grab a bite at the Foodhallen next door — the perfect combo of film and flavor.
🎥 Eye Filmmuseum – Films with a view
Rising like a futuristic white shard on the banks of the IJ, the Eye Filmmuseum has become one of Amsterdam’s modern icons. Since its opening in 2012, the building has turned heads with its sharp lines and riverside setting, visible straight across from Central Station. But Eye is more than architecture: it’s a cultural hub where film history meets innovation. Inside, you’ll find exhibitions on everything from early silent movies to video art, alongside screenings of classics, festivals, and avant-garde premieres. Sitting in the café, with ferries gliding past the panoramic windows, makes even a quiet evening feel cinematic.
🎬 Why go
Eye brings together film, architecture, and culture. It’s a place to see blockbusters and retrospectives side by side, while soaking up the atmosphere of Amsterdam’s waterfront.
💺 Comfort factor
Bright, modern screening rooms with excellent sound, plus one of the best cinema cafés in the city — complete with terrace views of the IJ.
✨ Travelglaze tip
Take the free ferry from Central Station. The short trip across the water is part of the experience, setting the tone before the film even begins.
🎟️ Kriterion – Student cinema with spirit
Born out of resistance, Kriterion is not just a cinema but a story of defiance. In 1945, right after World War II, a group of students founded it to fund their studies and to rebuild a sense of culture in a city still scarred by occupation. To this day, it is entirely run by students, giving it a lively, youthful energy. Posters of past events line the walls, the bar is always buzzing, and the program leans toward independent, alternative, and international films. Watching a movie here feels less like a polished night out and more like joining a cultural movement.
🎥 Why go
Kriterion is a symbol of Amsterdam’s student spirit — authentic, affordable, and always slightly rebellious.
💺 Comfort factor
Expect simple seating and no-frills screening rooms, but a warm, communal vibe that makes up for it.
✨ Travelglaze tip
Drop by during one of their themed nights or marathons. The audience is young, engaged, and always up for conversation after the credits.
Final Thoughts
Amsterdam offers countless ways to spend an evening, but a cinema night adds its own kind of magic. The six theaters highlighted here — Tuschinski, The Movies, Rialto, De Filmhallen, Eye, and Kriterion — each give you more than just a film. They offer history, atmosphere, and a sense of comfort that turns a simple screening into a memorable night out.
But these are far from the only screens in the city. Amsterdam is dotted with cinemas, each with its own audience and atmosphere:
Pathé Arena – giant multiplex with IMAX, ideal for blockbusters
Pathé De Munt – busy central cinema at Muntplein, often premières
Pathé City – small, stylish cinema near Leidseplein
Pathé Noord – modern option in Amsterdam-Noord
Pathé Westerpark – sleek multiplex in the Westergasfabriek
Lab111 – cult favorite for retro nights and quirky themes
FC Hyena – cinema and wine bar with a view of the IJ
Studio/K – student-run arthouse in Amsterdam-Oost
Cinecenter – intimate arthouse screens just off Leidseplein
Het Ketelhuis – focus on Dutch cinema and arthouse at Westergas
Whether you’re drawn to grandeur, history, or a hidden arthouse screen, Amsterdam has a cinema to match your mood. Sometimes comfort means velvet seats under a starry ceiling — and sometimes it means a glass of wine in a tucked-away student bar. Either way, a night at the movies here will never feel ordinary.
🎭 Curious about another way to spend a comfortable night out in Amsterdam? Read our guide to the city’s most unique theaters for an evening full of culture and surprise.
Ready to experience Amsterdam’s film magic? Pick your cinema, book your tickets via Filmladder, and turn an ordinary evening into something unforgettable.
