Here we have listed the many cinemas of Paris, each with its own personality, to peruse, choose and visit. See also a local city guide to screening and film news at L’Officiel des Spectacles. Note film festivals are listed on our Festivals page.
Hot tip: The Cinemas Independants Parisiens association offers a bulk cinema pass for the 32 cinemas it represents. And you can learn a lot about the history of film theatres in Paris via the Salles-Cinema website.
The Caumartin (under the Multicine umbrella) is an independent art-house cinema housing five rooms, situated on the Rue Saint-Lazare in the 9th.
Another under the Multicine umbrella, Parnassians hosts seven rooms of art-house cinema. On the Boulevard du Montparnasse in the 14th.
Independent art-house cinema, also showing film for young people, in the Place Denfert-Rochereau in the 14th.
The twin to the Chaplin Denfert, the Saint Lambert is on the Rue Peclet in the 15th.
The Cinema of Filmmakers is ‘a Parisian showcase for European and world cinema and a space for meetings, festivals, previews, retrospectives, documentary and short films’. In the 17th.
Established in 1907, the Pantheon is one of the oldest still-operating theatres in the world. Programming includes features and short films, as well as clubs, conversations and debates. In the 5th.
One of the Dulac network of cinemas, the Majestic Bastille ‘is entirely dedicated to auteur films and art-house cinema for the general public and young audiences’. In the 11th.
A movie theatre and cinema museum, the Cinematheque offers a range of presentations, retrospectives and sessions for all ages. In the Parc de Bercy in the 12th.
The Cinémathèque offers 16mm and digital screenings all year round, as well as educational programs on film, both inside and outside the site. In the 17th.
‘One cinema with three screens, one gallery, one stage and also one restaurant and one bar.’ On the Rue Francis de Pressensé in the 14th.
One of five Dulac cinemas, the Escurial is ‘a true neighbourhood movie theatre, friendly, simple and warm, a century-old jewel’. In the 13th‘.
Showing classic and contemporary art-house films from all over the world, in two rooms also dedicated to debates, meetings and events. On the Place Saint-Michel in the 5th.
A resource centre, museum and cinema in one, the Foundation works to transmit cinema history through conservation, restoration and programming. In the 13th.
A centre for image education, the Forum of Images program focuses on reflection, education and mediation, and connecting audiences with filmmakers. In the Forum des Halles in the 1st.
Community-run cinema that ‘confronts pressing political issues, making space and giving a platform to other justice-oriented movements’, often with film-maker events. In the 5th.
‘The best of classic and contemporary cinema in a legendary location for Parisian cinema lovers’, the ‘Filmo’ is home to several cinema clubs who meet regularly to discuss the seventh art. In the 5th.
‘A building with exceptional architecture, unique in its kind, between monument and sculpture, a perfectly smooth mirrored sphere made up of 6433 polished stainless steel triangles.’ In the 19th.
A multidisciplinary venue dedicated to cinema, the Archipel also programs music, theatre and shows for young people. ‘A place dedicated to the talents of tomorrow
and established artists.’ In the 10th.
One of five Dulac cinemas, the Harlequin comprises two rooms showing independent film for all ages, and striving for ‘conviviality and discovery’. On the Rue de Rennes in the 6th.
Independent neighbourhood cinema presenting classic and modern pieces, and regularly showing film and storytelling workshops for children. On the Rue Balzac in the 8th.
The Brady is a ‘continuation room’, allowing films at the end of their run to remain on the bill, opening young audiences to European and international cinematography and representing minority sexualities. In the 10th.
Independent art-house cinema showing classic and contemporary film in a historically-classified monument, re-releasing rarities and organising all-night cult film events. In the 5th.
The Rex is home to popular French and and international blockbusters, escape rooms and events, over several great rooms. On the Boulevard Poissonnière in the 2nd.
A third cinema under the Multicine umbrella, the Lincoln is home to two rooms showing independent art-house theatre. On the Rue Lincoln in the 8th.
The Wooden Sword is an independent art-house cinema that includes programming for children, film clubs and events, and sometimes breakfast cinema. On the Rue Mouffetard in the 5th.
‘Art-house cinema, presenting the most representative films of current trends in auteur cinema … continually organising debates, previews, festivals, retrospectives and special evenings’. In the 5th.
French cinema with English subtitles, Lost in Frenchlation ‘breaks the language barrier and brings the best of French cinema to the international community in Paris’. Across multiple venues.
A three-screen art-house cinema, the Louxor offers a diversified program, aimed at young audiences, regular events and a varied and affordable pricing policy. On the Boulevard de Magenta in the 10th.
The only cinema in the 4th, the Luminor Hôtel de Ville ‘aims to become a true epicentre of the 7th art, an essential place for exchange and conviviality in the Marais’. In the 4th!
One of the five Dulac houses, the Majestic Passy aims to be a real neighbourhood cinema, family-friendly, modern and convivial. The only cinema in the 16th.
A ‘showcase for the show: a huge room all in black, composed of 557 velvet armchairs (and 17 folding seats), wallpapered walls, Venetian stucco balconies with a 1930s influence and, above all, a 107 m2 screen’. In the 9th.
Mk2 runs eight film centres (or ‘rooms’) across Paris, each with its own programming that features new, retrospective, local and international films. Check the website for details.
The New Odeon aims to showcase contemporary French and foreign cinema as well as to reveal and support new talents. On the Rue de l’Ecole de Médecine in the 6th.
A ‘micro-cinema hidden under a wine bar’, offering a range of largely short art-house films with your drink. In the 11th.
Two independent cinemas offering classic films as well as contemporary works. In two locations, the écoles is in the 5th and the Christine is in the 6th.
The Pathé runs 12 cinemas across Paris, in the 9th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th and 19th arrondisements, showing all kinds of genres, popular and international.
Programming classic and cult films, and broadcasting opera and ballet, the Public Cinema strives to offer screenings of the highest possible quality. On the Champs-Elysées
in the 8th.
One of the five Dulac cinemas, the Reflet Médicis offers great classics from yesterday and new films from today, as well as debates, meetings and special events. In the 5th.
Art-house cinema with three rooms often based on particular themes or retrospectives, and offering cultural events, meetings and children’s programming. In the 6th.
A neighbourhood cinema in the heart of Montmartre offering ‘flamboyant arthouse films’, as well as exhibitions, conviviality and community. In the 18th.
One of Paris’ oldest cinemas, the Ursuline offers a program of experimental and art-house cinema to all ages – and especially for children. In the 5th.
Independent cinema showing classic arthouse films, most notably regular screenings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show – for fans and freaks. In the 5th.
UGC runs 11 cinemas across Paris, offering popular and blockbuster movies from France and overseas, and often with subtitles, for all ages.