Summer Cinema in Prague

Summer is here and that means many things if you’re studying abroad in Prague. It means long afternoons in some of the most beautiful parks in Europe. It means evenings spent strolling the city’s cobblestone streets for Church Night or Museum Night. And it means summer cinema! If you need to take a break from studying Financial Accounting or English Composition at University of New York in Prague, here is our guide for all the movie lovers in Prague this season.

Open-air Cinemas

Let’s face it. It’s warm and everyone wants to be outside. So why not enjoy a movie with your friends under the stars? Many beer gardens and recreation centers convert their grounds to open-air cinemas starting in June, and many of these places feature English-language or subtitled films. The Aperol Spritz Kino at Žluté Lázně hosts a weekly movie every Tuesday and shows everything from the classic to the obscure. Best of all, entry to the film is free. So after you enjoy a day playing volleyball or table tennis near the beach, you can relax on one of the many lounge chairs for a flick. Cross Club in Holešovice also shows summer films that cater to English and Czech speakers and features more mainstream movies, such as A Clockwork Orange and 12 Years a Slave.

Theatres

For those seeking the Bohemian cinema experience, Bio Oko in Holešovice is the perfect spot. A popular location for the hip and artistic, this cinema does away with the traditional rows of seating and uses different chairs for a more communal and comfortable feeling. They also have a bar attached, which is the perfect place to enjoy a beverage after an arthouse film and meet other cinophiles. If you want to enjoy your popcorn in a beautiful atmosphere, Lucerna located next to Wenceslas Square is the place to go. In addition to a great film program, they also have an art nouveau interior that makes you feel like you’re watching a movie in the early 1900s.

Film Festivals

If you love film festivals, you don’t have to travel to Cannes. Prague and the Czech Republic are the site for some great film festivals throughout the year. In the summer, one of our favorites is the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival from 30 June–8 July. Located in the charming and luxurious spa town in Western Bohemia, this festival always features one celebrity and features many amazing films from all around the world. Many festival-goers pair the festival with exotic spa treatments or camping. Another one of our favorites is the Prague Independent Film Festival from 3–8 August. Taking place in the historical center of the country’s capital, this new festival brings together filmmakers from all over the world. This year’s program features people from Serbia, Russia, Italy and more.