Anyone looking for culture in Vienna is spoiled for choice. There is more than enough on offer in the music capital. This also includes the unique cinemas in Vienna. By definition, arthouse cinemas view film as a medium of documentation, enlightenment, criticism and reflection, personal expression, experimentation and fantasy – and Vienna has 17 of them! We present our top 5.
Filmcasino
This cinema in Vienna has already won an international award: The US industry magazine “Variety” has voted the Vienna Filmcasino among the 21 coolest cinemas in the world. No wonder, when you look at the unique 50s design and the cinematic interior. With this award, the Filmcasino has become known beyond the city’s borders and is also very popular in Vienna.
📌 Location: Margaretenstraße 78, 1050 Vienna
Metro Kinokulturhaus
The Metro Kinokulturhaus is certainly one of the most beautiful cinemas in Vienna. The listed main auditorium alone is worth a visit: with wood paneling from 1893, the side boxes and red interior, you will be transported back in time. A few years ago, the Filmarchiv Austria converted the cinema into a multi-storey cultural center with event and exhibition space. A very special feature: this cinema has the world’s best-stocked specialist film bookshop.
Horticultural Cinema
The Gartenbaukino impresses with its size: no other cinema in Vienna can accommodate more viewers. The single-screen cinema, which has always been the venue for world-famous premieres and attracts many international stars, has a total of 736 seats. Even the Viennale took place here in 2021. A very special feature: almost all of the seats now bear the names of their respective patrons.
📌 Location: Parkring 12, 1010 Vienna
Schikaneder
The Schikaneder in the 4th district really does have something for every taste. Not only the usual film program flickers across the screen here, there are also film festivals for human rights, special events for the LGBTQ+ community and DJ music in the bar area. Thanks to the comfortable armchairs, the movie theater feels like your own living room. And on Sundays, people meet here to watch Tatort together – with free admission.
Breitenseer Lichtspiele
Vienna’s oldest arthouse cinema can be found in the 14th district. Legend has it that it is even the oldest in the world! You can still take a seat on the original wooden chairs from 1905. The feeling of nostalgia runs through the history of the cinema, which is still family-run today. Classic films and the latest productions are shown here today, but there are also drag shows and silent films with piano accompaniment.
📌 Location: Breitenseer Straße 21, 1140 Vienna