Bilbao has three main cinemas where you can watch films. However, dubbing is prevalent and original language options do tend to be quite limited.
Cinesa – Zubiarte
Located in the Zubiarte Shopping Centre, not far from Plaza Euskadi, this is an eight-screen cinema that regularly shows the latest releases. Cinesa often screen foreign-language films with subtitles in Spanish, especially the big releases. However, over time original-language features tend to be shown late at night and in smaller auditoriums.
The cinema is on the top floor of the shopping centre. Tickets can be purchased online or there in person and typically cost between €8 to €10 depending on what time the film is being screened at.
Check out Cinesa’s website here (in Spanish).
Golem – Alhóndiga
Golem cinema can be found on the basement floor of Bilbao’s stunning civic centre, Alhóndiga-Azkuna Zentroa.
In a similar vein to Cinesa, Golem screens all the most recent movies and offers options to see foreign-language films with Spanish subtitles during the initial release period. After that options become more limited and non-dubbed foreign films are pushed to night-time slots.
One of the great things about Golems is that occasionally, it will run special programmes focusing on particular genre or culture. For example, in 2024, the cinema organised a month-long festival with weekly screenings of iconic Japanese anime movies in their original language with Spanish subtitles.
Ticket prices are normally €7.90, but can differ depening on when you go. Take a look at what’s on at Golem Alhóndiga here.
Multicines 7
An iconic Bilbao cinema, Multicines 7 is much smaller in scale compared to Golem and Cinesa. Furthermore, its programme features more independent, lesser-known films with a special focus on foreign cinema.
At times, they might screen a movie in its original language with Spanish subtitles, but it’s not always the case. You need to check ahead of time to make sure the film you’re seeing is orginal version.
An old school, humble movie theatre, you shouldn’t expect the most comfortable viewing experience, but Multicines is the place to go if you’re looking for non-mainstream features.
The movie theater is in Indautxu, not too far from San Mames Stadium.
See what’s on at Multicines 7 here.
Film festivals in Bilbao
Besides the frequent special programmes organised by the cinemas above, Bilbao also hosts some great annual film festivals.
The most famous is Athletic Club‘s Thinking Football Film Festival. As part of its social and culture projects, the LaLiga side’s charitable foundation organises an annual film festival screening football-related features that look at wider themes in society.
Most screenings are followed by a Q&A session with guests such as actors, protagonists and directors. In past years, they’ve invited the likes of Thomas N’Kono, Liam Brady and Ledley King to the event.
The films and documentaries are usually screened at Sala BBK on Gran Via, and entry is free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bilbao FANT is another celebrated festival. Running for a little over a week, FANT showcases fantasy and horror films from around the world. The event is held at Golem Alhóndiga.
The city also hosts Zinebi, Bilbao’s international documentary and short-film festival, one of the oldest film festivals in Spanish history.
Zinebi screens films at different venues across Bilbao, including Golem, Sala BBK and the stunning Arriaga Theatre, close to Casco Viejo.
