Watching a movie in a theater isn’t the same everywhere! Watching a good movie in a commercial space or in one of these alternative cinemas in Lisbon is a completely different experience.
And what is an alternative cinema? Quite simply, they don’t show the most commercial films, the mass-market movies, the well-known blockbusters.
These cinemas are not the B-side of the spaces we all know when we see the latest blockbuster in a shopping mall.
These alternative cinemas in Lisbon are the real “cream”, the essence of what “going to the movies” really is.
A good movie theater, like the ones we’re going to introduce you to here (if you don’t already know them, of course), is like a good library. The kind that has the greatest literary classics.
Other criteria for choosing a movie theater in the middle of the city are the comfort of the seats, the existence of an exemplary audio system, the option to buy popcorn (yes, the “classics” also like sweets) and, of course, the attractive price.
Once all the conditions are met, get ready to travel inside some of the most iconic alternative cinemas in Lisbon.
And if you don’t believe me, take a moment to appreciate the beauty and simplicity of these theaters, which still stand the test of time in our capital.
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São Jorge Cinema
Cinema São Jorge is intertwined with the history of the seventh art in the city of Lisbon. It has always been there, in the middle of Avenida da Liberdade, looking out over another of the capital’s great cultural venues, the Tivoli BBVA Theatre.
The São Jorge no longer holds its regular movie screenings, as it did several years ago. Today, it’s a place that’s better suited to hosting various film festivals or events related to the seventh art, so at these times you can still enjoy an “old-fashioned” movie theater.
Every year, festivals such as MOTELX, MONSTRA, DOC Lisboa, the Festa do Cinema Italiano or the Festa do Cinema event take place here.
It was inaugurated in 1950 and still retains its characteristic exterior.
Address: Avenida da Liberdade 175
On display: on the website
Cinema Ideal
The oldest movie theater in the city had to be here, of course! It’s undoubtedly one of the best alternative cinemas in Lisbon… it’s a real neighborhood cinema.
It was once Salão Ideal, Cine Camões and Cine Paraíso, the latter when it was dedicated to pornographic films. Opened in 1904, it was only in 2014 that it was “handed over” to the city, after an intense restoration project that cost around 600 thousand euros.
It’s where you can still see alternative, independent films from all over the world, with a rotating program that changes every Thursday, with tickets costing between 5 and 7 euros.
Address: Rua do Loreto 15 (Chiado)
On show: on the website
Medeia Nimas Cinema
Anyone passing by 5 de Outubro, near Saldanha, may not even notice the entrance to Cinema Medeia Nimas, as it is “camouflaged” among the buildings in this part of the city.
So save this address now if you’re looking for one of the longest-running alternative cinemas in Lisbon, for over 20 years.
Here you’ll be able to see independent European films, as well as national productions by renowned directors from all over the world.
The cinemas are also regular venues for special film cycles, including works by filmmakers who have made a mark on the seventh art, or even classic films, the kind that last for generations. For example, LEFFEST – Lisbon & Sintra Film Festival has already taken place here.
Address: Avenida 5 de Outubro 42B (Saldanha)
On show: on the website
Atlântida-Cine
Atlântida-Cine is located in a small shopping center in Carcavelos, but it retains the best of the old cinemas.
Open since 1983, inside you’ll find a nostalgic atmosphere with two screening rooms, a checkroom where you can hang your coats, even old-fashioned ones, a bar with velvet armchairs and chairs, the old popcorn machine and, of course, a very selectively curated movie schedule.
Atlântida-Cine has three screenings a day, at 3pm, 5.45pm and 9pm, but often only has afternoon screenings.
Address: Rua Doutor Manuel de Arriaga 5 (Carcavelos)
On display: on the Público newspaper website
Cinemateca Portuguesa
Where you can also see some of the most alternative films is at the Cinemateca Portuguesa, in one of the two rooms of this Lisbon cultural space.
A true museum of cinema, this space was founded in the 1950s by Manuel Félix Ribeiro, but it was only in the 1980s that it achieved its autonomous programming, which is currently based on film cycles closely linked to the history of the seventh art.
Address: Rua Barata Salgueiro 39 (Príncipe Real)
On show: on the website
