Film
For film buffs of all persuasions, from blockbusters to independent foreign productions, Groningen is the place to watch. Seven days per week, you can join your fellow students in gazing at the big screen. Make sure to check if you can have a student discount. If you’re a true connoisseur and cannot live without at least one visit to the cinema per week, you can also purchase an unlimited card – as the name already indicates, that means that you can go as often as you like for a fixed and very reasonable price of around 20 euros a month. The screenings are nearly always in the original language which makes the movies more accessible for international students. If you’re more of an occasional movie goer, the Groningen cinemas offer a wide variety of films, and are one of the most common social hubs ofstudent-night time entertainment. Here’s an introduction to all of them.
Pathé
Pathé is a national cinema chain with locations in every major Dutch city, also right in the city centre of Groningen. The cinema features mostly mainstream films and blockbusters, and in addition shows so-called PAC-films, which cater to a foreign film-and-art house-loving public. Pathé has events related to streaming sport events opera, theater, gaming, music, documentaries, Bollywood, Turkish movies, and PAC-alternative cinema. The events are in particular days, so those genres are not daily happenings. Sometimes movies have a discount for students (Monday is Student Day, so movies for €9), however the normal ticket price is about €12 (depending on time, 2D/3D). Comfort Pathé is that you will get a comfy chair and you are allowed to drink beer and eat during the screening. Pathé has topics as Ladies Night, Gay Night and movie marathons.
Kinepolis Groningen
Kinepolis Groningen is located at the Euroborg which is best known as the stadium of local soccer pride- FC Groningen. It’s located around ten minutes by bike from the city center. The price for a ticket differs: normal price is about €12, but if you have a FC Groningen or Noorderpoort card it is cheaper. Tuesday is Student Night so then there is a discount for students! They have some of the newest movies but also some older movie screenings. You can get some snacks and enjoy your beer during the movie. It is quieter, so it is good for true movie lovers who do not want to be interrupted by kids or snack sounds.
Groninger Forum Cinema
Groningen Forum Cinema, sometimes shows new movie releases, but most of the time, the screenings are movies that have been released in festivals. They also have the Rooftop Cinema, so make sure to check that out! Often, Groningen Forum has a debate session after the screening. The price of tickets is usually between 5 and 15 euros.
Vera Cinema
Vera Cinema is an alternative cinema projection in Groningen. The Zienema group independently takes care of weekly film screenings, usually on Tuesdays. Collectively they set up the film program, assemble the film when necessary and take care of their own publicity. The evening itself is also entirely taken care of by the group: in a small amount of time the concert hall is built into a cinema where everyone can enjoy very diverse movies in a relaxed atmosphere. Sometimes, Vera organizes secret cinema which is basically having a cinema projection at a spot and a film that you don’t expect as a factory. In addition, usually in September, Vera organizes an open-air cinema called Zienemaan & Sterren.
What about going to one of the oldest cinemas in the Netherlands?
Yes, there is one, but near Groningen. It is in Stadskanaal. The cinema is called Smoky and the setting inside is preserved as from the 70s-80s. Smoky Stadskanaal is one of the oldest cinemas in the Netherlands. The price of a regular movie is €12 for a screening in the evening. If you would like to see a 3D movie then you will pay €13,50 in the evening.