Movies for under 5 euro

Want to see the latest Oscar nominated films, Spanish language movies, arthouse or classic films? And even better, on the cheap? Barcelona is a great place to see movies as there are numerous cinemas showing locally produced films, international blockbusters, and independent movies, at a low cost.

Here is a short list of some of the best I’ve found in Barcelona:

Cine Malda

Why I love it: The cinema is tucked away in what looks like a small arcade for businesses and shops, screening both popular and arthouse movies, as well as newly released documentaries in Spanish and original language. It also hosts special events like conversations with the directors and writers of the films showing, and participates in select film festivals.

Cost: 4 euro weekdays, 9 euro weekends

Where: Carrer del Pi, 5

Gotico, 08002 Barcelona

Website: http://www.cinemamalda.com/

Cine Texas

Why I love it: Let’s not pretend the range is fantastic, but since all movies are only 3 euros it’s hard to beat. Screens movies that you won’t normally find in other cinemas or for limited periods only. For instance, it is still showing the Amy Winehouse documentary, and  it has screened the latest film starring Woody Allen and John Turturro which was not showing anywhere else in town. Subtitles in Spanish and Catalan for the movies shown in the original language.

Cost: 3 euros for a session, every day

Where: Carrer de Bailèn, 205

Gracia, 08037 Barcelona

Website: https://www.facebook.com/cinemestexas/

Filmoteca de Catalunya

Why I love it: Black and white films in Spanish, Italian, French and other languages as well as exhibitions and talks in the centre of town, arthouse and classic movies that you can’t find anywhere else in town.

Cost: 4 euros per movie or exhibition entry. You can also buy a pack of 20 tickets to use at any time, paying 2 euro per ticket.

Where: Plaça Salvador Seguí, 1 – 9

El Raval, 08001 Barcelona

Website: http://www.filmoteca.cat/web/

Half-price movies

Most big cinema centres will have half-price days on either Monday or Wednesday, like Cinema Yelmo Icaria in Barceloneta which charges half-price (4.50 euros) on Wednesdays while Cine Verdi in Gracia is half-price on Mondays. These generally show the popular blockbusters and some smaller arthouse films.

Movies for free

Here are some other websites where you can search for movies screening for free, particularly documentaries and independent films. Look under Pantalla (in Catalan).

http://www.forfree.cat/en/screenings

http://totgratuit.blogspot.com.es/

Civic Centres

It’s also possible to see movies for free at some of the civic centres in Barcelona – for instance at the Sagrada Familia Civic Centre they showed The Grand Budapest Hotel, dubbed in Spanish. The quality might not always be spectacular and the screens can be small, but if you get there early and get a seat at the front, it can be worth it. They’re free after all!

Look up the Barcelona government’s website or search the specific civic centre closest to you for their brochure of activities.