Cinema in Istanbul: Movie Theaters, Tickets and More | 2024 (2024)

Whether you live in Istanbul or just visiting this amazing city, there are plenty of places where you can enjoy one of the cinematic experiences. Even though it is hard to find a person who hasn’t been to the cinema nowadays, it’s undeniable that movie theatres are a popular form of entertainment. These days, more and more people prefer streaming movies online instead of going to movie theatres in Istanbul. However, an increasing number of cinemas around the world indicate that cinemas are still a preferred place for various types of groups, such as families and friends, filmaholic individuals and couples, who love to share their time watching movies on the big screen.

Therefore, we’ve gathered everything you need to know about movie theatres and the best cinemas in Istanbul. Let’s begin!

1. What to Know Before Going to a Movie Theater in Istanbul

There are some things you should know before you plan your visit to one of Istanbul’s movie theatres. First, it’s important to note that there are two main types of cinema in Turkiye. There are multiplex cinemas, and there are the more traditional single-screen cinemas. The latter are often larger and more spacious, but they also have fewer screenings throughout the week.

Multiplex cinemas, on the other hand, can be found in malls, shopping centres, etc. They have a higher number of screenings but unfortunately, tend to be more crowded.

2. How Much Does it Cost to Go to the Cinema in Istanbul?

The average price of a movie ticket in Turkiye is between 3-6$. However, it’s important to note that prices may vary depending on what day of the week you visit the cinema, as well as the time of the day. Generally, evening session tickets and weekend session tickets are more expensive. Since at the weekend and in the evening, the demand is higher, as people have free time. Whenever you choose to see a movie on a big screen, you can expect to spend between 5-10$ including popcorn and drinks.

3. How to Find out When New Movies are Coming Out

If you want to keep up with all the latest movie releases, the best way to do so is by visiting the website of Istanbul’s cinemas. Most of the cinemas have their own websites where you can find out more about the latest movie releases and special screenings.

You can also follow film-related accounts on social media to keep track of the latest news in the local cinema scene. Many cinemas have their own accounts on Facebook and Instagram where they frequently post information about new releases, special screenings, and even behind-the-scenes content. There are also websites such as IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes that keep track of when new movies are being released.

4. How Many Theatres Are There in Istanbul?

The number of movie theatres in Istanbul has been steadily increasing in recent years. There are now more than 800 cinemas in Istanbul. Istanbul’s most famous multiplex cinemas include Kinostar, Paribu Cineverse, and Cinevision. Many movie lovers prefer to watch their long-waited movies in IMAX halls or VIP lounges. Istanbul has great offers for those wishes. To create a different movie experience, Paribu Cineverse has many exclusive cinema halls. You can find everything about the locations and technical information of halls such as Gold Class, Skybox, Sky Auditorium, Tempur Cinema where you can watch movies while lying down, from this link. Here is the list of IMAX cinemas and VIP saloons in Istanbul.

• Paribu Cineverse İstinye ParkIMAX
• Paribu Cineverse Marmara Park IMAX
• Paribu Cineverse Akasya Acıbadem IMAX
• Paribu Cineverse Hilltown IMAX
• Capitol Spectrum Cineplex Capitol Mall – Dolby Audio System VIP
• Paribu Cineverse Zorlu Center – VIP

5. Best Movie Theatres in Istanbul

Being a historical city, Istanbul has many options for cinema lovers who would fancy watching a movie at a historical theatre or prefer big ones at the malls that make them feel like they are living in the movie by carrying all the technological possibilities. Here, we are giving information about both nostalgic and new movie theatres for you to choose the ones that suit your preferences and your family’s.

Atlas Cinema

Opened in 1948, Atlas Cinema is located at Istiklal Avenue in the Beyoğlu district. Going into the restoration last few years, the movie theatre is now completely renovated. For 500, 130, and 85 viewers, respectively, the theatre has three different halls. An amphitheatre-style layout was used for the main hall. The previous stage theatre structure has been transformed into the “Istanbul Cinema Museum” which is worth to be seen. You can visit the museum between 11.00-19.00 except Monday.

The screens of the theatre are also suitable to watch 3D films. Many film festivals are screened in the cinema along with plays that you can watch at the theatre hall. It is a good option for those who do not want to sacrifice modern world opportunities but still want to feel nostalgic.

Tip: If you’re looking for an exciting area to stay in while exploring Istanbul, consider Beyoğlu. This district is characterised and charming, with Istiklal Street being a particular highlight. This pedestrianized boulevard boasts a fascinating mix of shops, cafes, and historic buildings, and is traversed by a charming red tram. To make the most of your visit, be sure to check out the selection of hotels in the area. This link opens in a new tab, so you can keep reading while you search for the perfect place to stay.

Taking the pandemic into consideration, the theatre also implemented UV-C, a new sterilizing air conditioning system, in its saloons. Check out the cinema’s website to learn about new technological developments and access the event calendar.

You can buy tickets from Mobilet or the theatre’s box office during your visit.

Regular 4.07Euro
Discount 3.30Euro(Student, Teacher, Retired, 65 and over, Health Employee)

Kadıköy Sineması

Kadıköy Cinema, one of the oldest movie theatres in the district, is located in Kadıköy Passage on Bahariye Street. The building, which serves as a movie theatre with a capacity of 318 seats, is also very popular among tourists. Opened as a theatre at first, Kadıköy Cinema then hosted many events, exhibitions, concerts and special screenings where cinema meets theatre, painting and music. After their agreement with Başka Cinema, which distributes independent films with the slogan “We are a festival every day” shows festival films every day of the year, the theatre hosted dozens of festivals and special events such as the Istanbul Film Festival, Bosphorus Film Festival, !f Istanbul, KısaKes Film Festival and İKSV Galas.

Tip: Consider Kadıköy, a gem on the Anatolian Side, if you want to enjoy the longest beaches and stunning sea views in Istanbul. With bicycle tracks, walking paths, and parks, Kadıköy is an ideal spot for taking in the sunset. Additionally, in Kadıköy, there are plenty of bars and cafes that are popular with locals, providing you with the opportunity to experience the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Be sure to check out the selection of hotels in the area to complete your stay.

With the awareness of how important independent cinema is for Türkiye, the venue hosted many important names for the cinema. Argentine-French director, film producer and screenwriter Gaspar Noe came to Kadıköy Cinema after the screening of Vortex.

Capitol Spectrum Cineplex

Capital Spectrum Cineplex, inside the Capitol Shopping Center in Üsküdar, has 10 halls. Thanks to its curved screens, you can easily watch movies from any angle in all halls. There is also a high-quality Dolby Atmos sound system in its four halls.

You can change the seat height in movie theatres shaped like football stadiums. In addition, there are special seats in the hall for physically handicapped individuals. One of its halls offers a VIP concept. You can also get more information about the malls and Istanbul shopping places from our blog post.

6. Do cinemas in Turkiye show movies in English?

Movies in Istanbul cinema are quite diverse. The majority of Istanbul’s movie theatres show movies in Turkish. However, there are some that screen movies in English with Turkish subtitles. The best way to find out which cinemas show English-language movies is to visit their websites or social media accounts.

Sometimes cinemas show movies in other languages too.

Another alternative, if you are looking for a cinema in Istanbul English, is to go to a smaller cinema that does not have the same resources as the bigger chains. If you cannot find the information cinema Istanbul English, then don’t hesitate to ask the people at the information desk. Cinemas have staff members who are happy to help you and answer any questions that you might have. And now, it’s time to start planning your trip to the movies!

7. Conclusion

The movie industry is booming. And Istanbul has a diverse range of cinemas, where you can watch the premieres of films. You can enjoy a wide variety of genresat affordable prices.

Whether you want to see the latest Hollywood blockbuster, discover a Turkish classic, or catch one of the many cultural events, such as festivals, that are regularly screened in Istanbul, you have plenty of options. We hope you enjoyed reading this article, and we wish you an exciting cinematic experience in Istanbul! The only thing left is to pick a movie, and purchase tickets.

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