Open Air Cinemas in Berlin: A Great Way to Spend a Summer's Evening

Open-Air Movie Theaters in Berlin

Watching a film in a conventional cinema is all well and good, but it does not compare to watching one in an open-air movie theater. Under the stars, the magic of the movies is even more pronounced, adding a layer of enjoyment that the indoors just cannot provide. Especially during the summer months, an evening spent watching a film is a delight. Berlin, an innately artistic city, has its fair share of open-air cinemas, which are frequented by visitors to the city and locals alike. Mostly open during the summer months, between May and September, these open-air cinemas show a wide spectrum of films, from brand new blockbusters to vintage and indie offerings.

Volkspark Friedrichshain Open-Air Cinema

The Volkspark Friedrichshain encapsulates all that is great about spending the evening outdoors watching a film. Set in the middle of a beautifully green park, this cinema provides seating (though you can also bring your own) and shows Oscar winning films, short films and low budget fare. Cinema goers are invited to bring their own drinks and snacks. If you are planning on going to multiple shows here it is worth investing in a book of tickets, which reduces the ticket prices to just €5 per film.

Hasenheide

This open-air cinema is located in Hasenheide Park, which sits on the border of the Kreuzberg and Neukölln districts. The cinema is large, accommodating up to 1000 people, giving it a special buzz on movie nights. There is a concessions stand, where movie-goers can load up on snacks and drinks. A mixed bag of established films and quirky indie flicks are shown here, and they are always a delight.

Rehberge

This pop-up cinema can seat up to 1,500 cinema goers, making it one of the largest open-air cinemas in Berlin. During the summer months you will find a wide variety of films here screened between Wednesday and Sunday, including international and domestic films and films specifically for children. Fortunately for patrons who do not speak German, even the domestic films carry English subtitles (English speaking films have German subtitles). This cinema also occasionally does something a bit different, such as having live piano players accompanying the silent films they show.

Spandau Open-Air Cinema

Spandau open-air cinema offers one of the more intimate outdoor film viewing experiences. Set in the inner courtyard of the city library, this movie theater seats 250 people - a pretty cosy affair compared to other cinemas. The films shown here are normally well-known, internationally acclaimed films, but that is not to say they are not interesting - they are, with a curated list that appeals to cinema goers of all tastes and ages. The unique setting also helps to create a rather special atmosphere.

Open-Air Kreuzberg

As one of Berlin’s most fashionable districts, it comes as no surprise that Kreuzberg’s open-air cinema offers the city’s most alternative cinema experience. The films here are not Hollywood staples (though some do make it through), but are documentaries, international art house films and excellent domestic movies. Each film is only shown once, making each showing something of a special occasion. Beach deck chairs are available, so try to get there early if getting a comfortable seat is a priority.

Potsdamer Platz

Potsdamer Platz, a business district and one of the busiest areas in Berlin is not the first place you would think of when it comes to attending an open-air cinema. But during the summer, large numbers of people flock here to bask in the glow of the big screen. 1000 attendees can watch classic and contemporary films, which are selected by Yorck Kinogruppe. The impressive backdrop of the cityscape makes this a particularly cool setting.

Planning your trip to Berlin? Check out our favorite downtown hotels in Berlin.

Author: David Rickerson-Seidel

Guest Relations Manager at NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse

My name is David Rickerson-Seidel and I have been part of the NH Hotel Group since September 2015 when the first NH Collection Hotel opened in Germany. After 16 years of hotel experience, I was offered a great chance to meet people from all over the world and each time I was able to learn from them – this is one of the reason why I love my position as a Guest Relation Manager. My daily task is to fulfil our guest’s needs before they actually asking for it. With my passion for my job it is always a great pleasure to see our guests happy and smiling before they leave the hotel and I know that we have done the job right. I always say that the only thing that a guest can’t buy and book in advance is our smiling receptionist with a warm welcoming, the friendly breakfast host who would like to know if you slept well, and our elusive room maid, who is preparing the room so that it feels like home – our employees make the difference – this is why you are not checking into your room at a terminal. Whatever you need – we are always there for you.