A SUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

OPEN AIR CINEMAS IN BERLIN

 

It’s during the first warm nights of the year when the nightingales are singing and the trees rustling above, the soft colors of the evening sky. As its gets darker and the movie begins, a feeling of inner pleasure and freedom rushes through you. Just like ice cream open air cinemas are among the best things in summer.

Berlin offers a great variety of open air cinemas, from classical open theatres or a balcony cinema integrating the former GDR Plattenbau architecture to small and independent backyard screenings. We made a selection of the most stunning places, all showing a selection of movie highlights, classics, originals and previews, in both German and English.

It is among the oldest open air cinemas in Berlin and often named the most beautiful one, too. Located in the middle of the vast Volkspark Friedrichshain, cars and city noise seem far away. Sitting on the many chairs, comfortable wooden benches that round the screen in a classic theatre style, or on a blanket in the grass, and watching a movie together with many other cineastes is a breathtaking cinematic moment. 

Set against the impressive architectural backdrop of the art center Kunstquartier Bethanien, the cinema in the courtyard impresses with its stunning location, the yellow facades creating a visually appealing contrast with the blue night sky and the green lawn, where rows of deck chairs invite you to sit down, lean back, and get lost in the movies. 

Entering the Volkspark Rehberge in the north of Berlin feels like entering an enchanted forest and you almost expect wild animals to cross your path and birds circling above your head. Illuminated lanterns are leading the small path winding up the grove and into the theatre that is set among the trees. Sitting on the ascending bench rows, watching the movie with the open nightsky above you – magical.

Opening not only until early July but definitely worth the wait. Nestled in between the Berliner Philharmonie and the Neue Nationalgalerie, the huge screen is illuminated against the skyline of the Potsdamer Platz picturesquely glowing in the back. On the open square a thousand orange deck chairs are lined up, waiting for the moviegoers to sit down. A truly unique urban experience.