Zagreb's best art house and independent cinemas

Kino Europa is Zagreb's oldest and perhaps best loved independent cinema, not least because it holds a large bar and usually full terrace where you can spot students, arty types, bohemians and regular daytime coffee drinkers. The cinema was built in 1924 and opened on 8 April 1925 with Fritz Lang’s Die Niebelungen and local film Dalmatia, Land of Sun.The City of Zagreb bought the cinema in October 2007 after a public campaign and its management was entrusted to Zagreb Film Festival, with the goal of making this cinema the regional centre of film and film art.

An incredibly popular independent cinema, Kino Tuškanac is located just off ilica, through a courtyard and lies on the approach to one of the city's secret areas of greenery. It boasts a selected programme of movies, mostly bona fide classics and independent films. Ticket prices are within anyone's price range and the cinema is comfortable. The venue has its own moviegoer club and also participates in the Zagreb Film Festival and other festivals and cultural programmes. In warmer months, the Tuškanac Summer Stage is one of best outdoor cinema experiences you could have in Zagreb and it lies just five minutes walk, further into the trees, from Kino Tuškanac.

Although run by cinema chain CineStar, a considerable effort has been made here to make this cinema radically different from their huge complexes, usually located outside of city centres. This cute and clean city centre cinema benefits from a beautiful design, is comfortable and holds a film programme that is sometimes closer to an independent than those of its parent company.

Kino Kinoteka is a charming independent cinema, located near Franjo Tuđman park, just to the west of Zagreb city centre. The building it inhabits was constructed in 1941 and has been a cinema ever since. The cinema itself has a long tradition of holding a very diverse programme and supports independent filmmakers, world cinema and takes part in city wide cultural programmes and film festivals. The building also holds a great and incredibly popular bar area.    

Independent cinema located within the Student Centre complex, this large cinema space also holds a stage making it the perfect presentation space for events that go way beyond just movie watching. Several Zagreb festivals utilise the venue, including Zagreb Film Festival, and you can find discussions preceding or following some presentations. This space also supports the work of Croatian, regional and student film makers who make short films or experimental films.