Going to a VO cinema in Barcelona is always a nice thing to do and today more a social event instead of just catching up with the latest Hollywood blockbuster. VO stands for Version Original and indicates that the films are shown in the original language. VO Cinemas in Barcelona are also a great way to practice your Spanish skills, because almost every VO movie has Spanish subtitles. This way you can improve your Spanish vocabulary and enjoy a night out. In general a cinema ticket cost around 7 € but some cinemas offer special discounts (e.g. movies which are shown during the day or special student offers). If possible you should always check if the Barcelona VO Cinema offers tickets and/or reservations online. Queues can, especially during weekend evenings, be very long.

• Icaria-Yelmo Complex

One of the best known and biggest Original language Cinemas in Barcelona is in the Icaria shopping centre in the Olympic Village (Vila Olympica). This Barcelona VO Cinema provides 15 screens and shows blockbusters as well as independent movies (usually shown later in the evening). During the weekend movies are also shown at early hours where tickets are normally reduced. You get to Icaria-Yelmo by taking the L4 to Ciutadella Vila Olimpica. The shopping mall is located a few blocks down at Avinguda and you’ll find the cinema complex down the escalator. Ticket price : 7.40 euros check out for special offer on their website.

• Cinema Malda

Cinema Malda is a small and very cheap original version Cinema in Barcelona. It is located near Las Ramblas, at 5 Carrer Pi and usually shows two different movies for one price in English V.O. There are late night sessions on Friday and Saturday, as well early showings on Saturday and Sunday. On Wednesday you get reduced tickets. The nearest metro is Liceu on the L3.

• The Alexis

Just two blocks down from the Diagonal (L3 or L5) you’ll find The Alexis which opened it doors in 1954. Here you can see newly, mostly independent films, released films from all over the world. The Barcelona VO Cinema is on one of the most representative avenues of Catalan Modernism, with a nice selection of cafés around it. (First shown film:  Norman MacLaren’s “Mosaic in Relief”)

• Cinema Casablanca Kaplan

Cinema Casablanca is a small 2 screen cinema located on the Passeig de Gracia. Since the early 80s Cinema Casablanca screens foreign and independent films, in their original versions, with Spanish sub-titles. The cinema was named Casablanca in homage to the 1942 Michael Curtiz film “Casablanca” which starred Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. (First shown films: David Lynch’s film “Eraserhead” and Joan Crawford in “Johnny Guitar”)

• Cinema Verdi

Is a popular independent Barcelona VO Cinema in the “Gracia neighbourhood”. Actually, there are two cinemas, the smaller “Cinema Verdi” on Carrer de Verdi, and around the corner the “Verdi Park Cinemas”, which has 4 screens. Get out at metro station Fontana ( L3 green line), turn right and follow Carrer d’Asturies until it meets Carrer de Verdi and you there. Cine Verdi opened in 1933/34. It was closed during the Spanish Civil War, it re-opened on 20th December 1944. (First shown film: Barbara Stanwyck and Joel McCrea in “The Great Man’s Lady” and Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone in “Tower of London”)

• Cinemes Méliès

This Barcelona OV Cinema is located in Eixample near the University (102 Carrer Villarroel) and always shows films in their original version. Cinemes Méliès shows independent films, but provides a regular program as well. It is one of the hippest cinemas in town and fortunately never too packed.

• Filmoteca

The centrally located Filmoteca de Catalunya, (before named Cine Infanta, the first Art House Cinema in Barcelona) screens the most recent International independent films in their original versions. The nearest metro is Hospital Clínic, L5 blue line. Filmoteca is run by the local council and offers a selection of films in their original version, as well as hosting numerous film festivals every year. (First shown movie: “Lilith with Jean Seberg)

• Cines Renoir

Cines Renoir Floridablanca, is also located near the University in Eixample at 12 Eugeni d’Ors (nearest stations: Les Corts, L3) also shows a fine range of films in their original version. This new multiplex cinema opened in 2002. It provides 7 screens and shows both, independent films as well as a regular program. (First shown film “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”)

• Microcine Zeli

If you want to see cult classics you need to go to the Microcine Zelig. It’s not really a cinema but more a café with a project screen and seats. It’s located at 51 Ferlandina, near MACBA in the Raval area. Screenings always begin at 9pm, and cost 3€ (this includes a drink).