Theresa Traubel rounds up Berlin’s best open air cinemas…
Watching a great movie on a hot night beneath the stars is one of those magical social pleasures, like chilling with friends in a beer garden or park, that can create beautiful summer memories.
Berlin has several excellent outdoor cinemas, which usually open from May until September. I’ve rounded up some of the best below, but besides these you can also find one-off screenings and mini-festivals in unique venues arranged by the likes of Mobile Kino.
These pop-up screenings usually take place at the charismatic Insel der Jungend at Treptower Park, Friedrichshain’s Urban Spree, while others are screened at Neukölln’s rooftop hotspot Klunkerkranich, among other fabulous locations.
Given the largely international audience in Berlin, these pop-ups tend to fuse a range of genres, from arthouse, cult classics, new releases, independent features, documentaries and short films, and usually offer films in the original language along with English subtitles. That said, be sure to check the original language of the movie as some are dubbed into German (“OV” stands for original version and “OmU” for original with subtitles).
Even better: while most of these cinemas below offer some kind of food and drink items, guests are sometimes often allowed to bring their own snacks and picnics.
Freiluftkino Kreuzberg
This Kreuzberg classic can be found in the back garden of the striking former hospital Kunstquartier Bethanien, whose rooms are now used for exhibitions, theatre and dance as well as artist workshops and studios. Screenings are usually a good mixture of international independent, classics and documentary movies as well as the occasional Hollywood flick. Each movie is only shown once, always in its original version with English subtitles (or German subtitles if the original is in English). Make sure to be there in good time to nab one of the cosy deck chairs, which come with blankets where necessary.
Freiluftkino Friedrichshain
There are several open air cinemas in Friedrichshain, but with 1,500 seats this one is the biggest. Set deep inside the lovely and sprawling Volkspark Friedrichshain, a visit here has the advantage of including an summery evening stroll through the park’s winding lanes. Unless mentioned otherwise, movies here are shown in German dubbed versions.
Freiluftkino im Volkspark Friedrichshain, Ernst Zinna Weg 1, 10249 Berlin, www.freiluftkino-berlin.de. Capacity: 1,500 (including wooden benches, seats at tables and lots of space to bring your own blanket)
Freiluftkino Insel
The INSEL open-air cinema operates at the Atelier Gardens at the southern edge of Tempelhofer Feld. On the grounds of the Berlin Union Film Studios, the venue shows independent films, current arthouse highlights, short films, documentaries, and festival specials four days a week. As well as a big screen, there’s a bar with drinks, comfortable deck chairs and a friendly team
Freiluftkino Hasenheide Neukölln
Situated inside Neukölln’s Hasenheide park, this is the perfect place for taking time out from the stressful city and chill out while watching cinematic highlights from the past year. The best thing about this venue is that there is a separate, smaller screen inside a tent that shows films during the day and early evening too, including for kids and families. The daily changing program contains a great selection of arthouse and cult films as well as selected mainstream movies. Check the program for original movies, which will be marked with OmU (original version with subtitles).
Sommerkino Kulturforum Mitte
Berlin’s most urban open-air cinema is located at the Kulturforum, complete with views of the Berliner Philharmonie and surrounding museums. It’s by far the best place to get that “big city feel” while enjoying a program of largely art-house movies from the previous season and some newer films scattered in, it also has kiosks with śnacks and drinks.
Open Air Kino Mitte
Haus Schwarzenberg has a very interesting history. An island of anti-gentrification in the highly polished part of Mitte around the Hackescher Markt, this beautifully dilapidated artist-run complex features some great little museums, street art shops, a dark and seductive bar and more. Hidden away in the back courtyard is the open-air cinema, a cosy and atmospheric space that shows classic movies in original language.
Freiluftkino Rehberge Wedding
With 1.500 seats this is one of the biggest open air cinemas in Berlin. Surrounded by huge lime and chestnut trees, it’s easy to forget that you’re in the city here—especially as there are no more planes flying overhead via Tegel. The mix of Hollywood and independent movies shown here are usually from the previous year and shown in German dubbed versions, with occasional exceptions.