Ask any local Valencian and they will tell you that it can be quite a task to find authentic English speaking cinemas in the city, with most picture houses opting to screen films dubbed in Spanish. Luckily, there’s a handful of cinemas in Valencia which make V.O. screenings a priority – meaning you can enjoy the film in its original language. Here’s our guide to the best:
Cine Yelmo
Cinema, Park
This modern cinema is located in the west of the city, adjacent to the old bed of the River Túria which used to run through the city, now a wonderful nine kilometre long garden park.The screening halls are rather compact but never overfull and movies are available in a choice of VO or Spanish. There are plenty of options for an evening meal and drink before your film at the many tapas bars within the Mercado de Campanar shopping complex. Though there isn’t a wide selection of films to choose from there’s usually something for everyone to enjoy.
Cines Babel is an alternative international cinema showing all kinds of V.O. showings, ranging from English to German to French and even Korean films. They are also renowned for showing alternative films by up-and-coming Spanish directors and for their attractive mid-week offers for students. Located close to the old Mestalla stadium, Cines Babel remains one of the quaintest cinemas in Valencia and is definitely worth a visit, and the restaurant offers a decent evening menu. Although its screens may be small, its films are often massive.
La Filmoteca (Sala Luis G. Berlanga)
Cinema, Park, University
This historical cinema house in the Rialto Theatre is located in the heart of the city and screens a wide range of V.O. films in most languages, though the predominant ones are English, Italian and French. They screen a selection of the best films from the past decades, including black and white movies from the 1940s and 1950s, as well as contemporary blockbusters and independent films. At two euros an entry, this cinema is a bargain. In August of each year, La Filmoteca, in collaboration with Valencia University, puts on an open-air VO film festival in the park Jardines de Turia.
This petite cinema, located on Avenida Aragon, is Valencia’s premier arthouse cinema and screens some of the best independent and alternative films from around the world, including documentaries and short films. This picture house reopened late last year after its closure in October 2006, much to the delight of local cinema goers. They only screen a limited number of films each year, of which only some are in English, but it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on their program to catch the best of indie cinema in Valencia.
Cinestudio D'OR
Cinema
The chic Cine D’OR is renowned for re-showing recently released films in their original version in addition to their dubbed equivalents. Located around the Canovas area of the city, it attracts a popular audience and is very popular with those looking for English screenings. The entrance fee is another key factor in the cinema’s popularity (€3 – €4.50), as well as the fact that you can see more than one film with your entrance ticket.
Become a Culture Tripper!
Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $1,322 on our unique trips.
Cine Jove
Cine Jove run an influential international film festival in Valencia in June every year. This is a gathering of creative young filmmakers from all over the world. The festival has become one of the most inspiring film festivals staged in Spain. This year’s festival will include a range of feature films and shorts as well as interviews, seminars and workshops aimed at educating audiences in the art of film at what is Europe’s longest-living film making event. It goes without saying that all films are V.O. screenings, though not especially in English. Screenings take place at Parque de Viveros close to the city center and other interesting venues such as theatres.
