Berlin's classic cinema movie palaces

It's a cinema that has seen many celebrities. Built in the 1950s, it was for a long time THE premiere cinema of West Berlin and until 1999 also the central competition cinema of the Berlinale film festival. Unlike other iconic cinema buildings on Kurfürstendamm, it has fortunately survived. It has been rebuilt, renovated and technically upgraded and still cuts a fine figure in the 21st century.

The counterpart to the Zoo Palast in the former communist East Germany was the Kino International. The cinema on Karl-Marx Allee is a gem of socialist architecture. The 60s relief facades are listed as historical monuments. Movie theater fans love the cinema because 70 mm copies can still be played here. At least as beautiful: the view from the panorama windows of the lounge onto Karl-Marx Allee.

Once upon a time it was a large cinema, built in 1928 in the New Objectivity style, in the Steglitz district. The tower with its striking stripes of light gives an idea of what it once looked like. The cinema hall was huge, with room for almost 2,000 spectators. Unfortunately it no longer exists. The very first Berlinale took place here in 1951. The opening film was Alfred Hitchcock's "Rebecca".

This cinema on Kurfürstendamm indulges the senses. The hall is opulent, with a beautifully curved shell ceiling. The wide and soft armchairs are wonderfully comfortable, and you can even put your feet up. Drinks and snacks are brought to the seat. It's so comfortable, in fact, the biggest challenge is not falling asleep when the lights go down and the performance begins.

It is one of those cinemas that cleverly conceals itself in Berlin's sea of houses. Neues Off hides behind an inconspicuous tenement building facade in the Neukölln district. But those who find it — and many do — will be surprised by its stylish 1950s flair. The foyer almost looks like an American diner: The bright red counter is the showpiece — an original, of course.

The Delphi, nearby Zoo Palast, looks almost like a little castle. During the 1920s, the city's wildest swing parties were celebrated here. It was only after the Second World War that the dance palace was transformed into a cinema palace — the music, however, remains. The Quasimodo jazz club in the basement of the Delphi — an institution — is well worth a visit.

Just around the corner is the Delphi Lux, the youngest cinema in the city — it only opened in 2017. Its seven movie screens are equipped with the latest projection technology. Each room has its own lighting concept. Anyone who wants to watch extra long films should come here: the comfortable reclining armchairs make it easy to lean back and relax for a few hours.

Built in 1913 in the Wilmersdorf district, it is one of the oldest cinemas in Berlin. The facade and the sweeping lettering, however, date from the 1950s. The architecture is not the only thing that awakens nostalgic feelings. It is the only cinema in Berlin where you can once again see UFA film stars. Film classics from the 1920s to the 1940s are shown regularly, while coffee and cake are served.

This traditional cinema was supposed to be torn down after 70 years of uninterrupted service. Thankfully, that didn't happen: Director Michael Verhoeven and committed local residents saved the cinema. Verhoeven bought it in 1995 and hired the York Cinema Group, which specializes in renovating and saving run-down cinemas. Today, it's clear the rescue mission has been a success.

Cinema Paris, with its elegant 1950s foyer, is a movie theater that literally gleams in new splendor. It is fittingly located on Kurfürstendamm, in the "Maison de France" — the French cultural center in Berlin. Tres chic! It is the place to go for French cinema fans who want to see films in their original language version.