From multiplexes to art houses and everything in between, the Czech capital has its fair share of cinemas. Updated daily listings can be found on www.houser.cz. Below, you’ll find a guide to the cinemas all film buffs in Prague will surely wind up visiting at least once, should they decide to stay here longer than a week or two.
If you’re here in the summertime, be sure to check out the Strelecky Island outdoor cinema. You should see posters and flyers around town advertising their program.
ARTHOUSE CINEMAS
Svetozor
www.kinosvetozor.cz
Along with Aero, Svetozor is probably the most popular place for independent cinema in Prague. Unlike Aero, Svetozor is conveniently situated in the city center – right off Wenceslas Square. Furthermore, they almost always show films with English-language subtitles, making it the prime spot for discovering up-and-coming Czech films you just wouldn’t get a chance to see at home.
Aero
www.kinoaero.cz
Sight of numerous film festivals, special screenings, and premieres, Aero nonetheless manages to maintain a studenty vibe. Perhaps this has something to do with the youngish crowd always hanging out in the attached pub, where you’ll also meet local celebs, arty hipsters, film buffs and filmmakers.
MAT Studio
www.mat.cz
This tiny screening room shows everything from big budget action flicks to student films. Remember – it’s small, so that means shows often sell out. Be sure to get there in advance. If you miss out, you can always wait around for the next screening in the kino bar.
MULTIPLEXES
It’s true that, like everywhere else, the American-style McCinemas are killing off the old-fashioned arthouse cinemas in Prague. While they offer many comforts and conveniences that the old cinemas simply don’t – stadium seating, concession stand, etc. – they don’t offer a guilt-free viewing. By supporting these big guys, you’re helping to kill off the little guy. If you really must see that new Hollywood blockbuster, you’ll find it with Czech subtitles at one of the multiplex chains below.
Cinema City
www.cinemacity.cz
Multikino Ladvi
http://www.multikinoladvi.cz/
Palace Cinemas
www.palacecinemas.cz
Village Cinemas
www.villagecinemas.cz
VIDEOS/DVDs
Staying in Prague a bit longer? Where do you satisfy your home movie fix? The following places rent DVDs and videos in English.
Video to Go
http://www.videotogo.cz/
A wide variety of videos, DVDs, English-language newspapers, and snacks are available at this rental haven for expats.
Radost
www.radost-cdvideo.cz
Looking for art films, trash, or independent cinema? This is the place.
Video Gourmet
Housed inside American restaurant Red Hot & Blues, Video Gourmet offers a wealth of American food products that are hard to find in the Czech Republic, as well as a selection of English-language video and DVD rentals. This makes it a lifeline for the expat community in Prague. The staff speaks English, and can be extremely helpful or extremely bitchy, depending on the day.
DVD Planet
www.dvdplanet.cz
This convenient DVD rental service has locations all over town. Once you get a membership, you’ll be given a password enabling you to login to their system on any computer, reserve your DVD, and pick it up from the branch nearest you. They offer a great selection of Czech films with English subtitles, as well as the latest Hollywood fare.
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