14 of the world's coolest movie theaters

Built in an old slaughterhouse, this Spanish theater looks more like an arthouse now. It's the perfect ambiance for the experimental films and documentaries it shows.

Cineteca Matadero
8 Plaza de Legazpi  
Madrid, Spain 28045 (directions)

(+34) 915 17 98 17
cinetecamadrid.com

This Nepalese theater takes dinner and a movie to a new level: the accompanying restaurant has a gourmet chef. Tickets aren't cheap, but it's a small price to pay to recline in a giant leather chair. They also have a location in Seoul, South Korea.

Cine-de Chef
CTC Mall, Sundhara (directions)
Kanti Path
Kathmandu, Nepal 44600

Ticket Booking: +977-01-4248402
http://www.cdcnepal.com

The historic theater, a San Francisco landmark, is instantly recognizable thanks to its beautiful Spanish Colonial façade. It looks like it belongs in Europe, rather than Northern California. The huge auditorium seats 1,400 people, and shows mostly classic movies.

Castro Theatre
Castro District (directions)
429 Castro St
San Francisco, CA 94114

(415) 621-6350
castrotheatre.com

Now this is an outdoor theater with a view. Sit outside at Cine Thisio and enjoy a stunning view of the neighboring Acropolis and the Parthenon.

Cine Thisio
Thisio (directions)
Apostolou Pavlou 7 
Athens, Greece 

(+30)210 3420864, (+30)210 3470980
cine-thisio.gr

From the outside, Cinémathèque Française looks more like a museum than a movie theater. That's because it is partially a museum — one that is dedicated to the long and storied history of French cinema. In addition to showing films, the theater also features screenings and retrospectives. It's the perfect place to appreciate both movies and their history. 

Cinémathèque Française
51 Rue de Bercy
Paris, France 75012 (directions)

Mon: 12:00 pm-7:00 pm
Tue: CLOSED
Wed: 12:00 pm-7:00 pm
Thurs: 12:00 pm-10:00 pm
Fri-Sat: 12:00 pm-7:00 pm
Sun: 10:00 am-8:00 pm
(+33) 1 71 19 33 33
cinematheque.fr

Colosseum Kino is the largest movie theater in Northern Europe. The dome gives it especially good sound, one of the perks of going to a theater rather than watching a movie at home. Plus, it makes for one of the most striking-looking movie theaters in the world.

Colosseum Kino
Fridtjof Nansens vei 8 (directions)
Oslo, Norway 0369

(+47) 994 32 000
nfkino.no

Located in London's Notting Hill, Electric Cinema combines the beauty of an old cinema with modern amenities. The theater was originally built in 1910, but recently underwent renovations. Seats are big and comfortable, and there are even beds available. There's also a full bar and accompanying Electric Diner.

Electric Cinema
191 Portobello Rd
London, United Kingdom W11 2ED (directions)

Mon-Sat: 9:00 am-8:30 pm
Sun: 10:00 am-8:30 pm
(+20) 7908 9696
electriccinema.co.uk

The New Beverly Cinema isn't particularly striking from the outside, but what makes it special is that it's owned by Quentin Tarantino. The director ("Pulp Fiction," "Django Unchained") and noted cinephile purchased it in 2010, and brought his eclectic taste to the theater's programming. It's a paradise for film fans everywhere.

New Beverly Cinema
7165 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036 (directions)

(323) 938-4038
thenewbev.com

In Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood, Nitehawk Cinema offers an eclectic mix of today's best art house movies alongside cult classics. The small theater has luxury seating, as well as food and drink specials catered to the movies.

Nitehawk Cinema
136 Metropolitan Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11249 (directions)

(718) 782-8370
nitehawkcinema.com

Sometimes called "Pride of Asia," Raj Mandir Cinema looks less like a multiplex and more like a palace. It opened in 1976 and was designed in an Art Moderne style that is rarely found today. 

Raj Mandir Cinema

C-16, Bhagwan Das Road
Panch Batti, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302001, India (directions)

(+91) 141 237 9372
therajmandir.com

Cine Acapulco has been around since 1958, which is why it looks and feels like it's from another era. However, it still plays some first-run movies.

Cine Acapulco
Avenida 26 (b/t Calle 35 & 37)
Alturas del Vadado, Havana, Cuba (directions)

Built in 1913, Sun Pictures is the world's longest-running outdoor movie theater — in fact, it began by showing silent movies. Unlike most outdoor theaters, the so-called "picture garden" screens multiple movies at once. 

Sun Pictures
27 Carnarvon St
Broome, Western Australia 6725 (directions)

(+61) 8 9192 1077
broomemovies.com.au

One of the most famous movie theaters in the world, TCL Chinese Theatre (a.k.a. Grauman's Chinese Theatre) is a Hollywood icon. Some of today's biggest movies, such as "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," have premiered here. Meanwhile, tourists from around the world stop here to check out the foot and hand prints left by movie stars in the cement outside, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

TCL Chinese Theatre
6925 Hollywood Blvd 
Hollywood, CA 90028 (directions)

(323) 461-3331
tclchinesetheatres.com