Free movies in Madrid: dates, schedule, and how to get tickets

Few cultural experiences evoke as much emotion as entering a dark theater and being enveloped by the sound and images on a big movie screen . The Cine Doré , the historic home of the Spanish Film Library in Madrid, has been offering that ritual to generations of film buffs for decades. However, this fall, the iconic building in the Lavapiés neighborhood is undergoing renovations that require the temporary closure of services like the cafeteria and a reduction in the number of daily screenings . As compensation for viewers, all screenings will be free for the duration of these improvements (the expected timeframe is three months).

The renovations aim to facilitate access for people with reduced mobility , but also entail a series of operational adjustments. The Film Archive has announced that screenings will continue, despite these modifications, with the usual program: restored classics, contemporary films, documentaries, and specialized series. Furthermore, the main entrance to the building will remain closed during the renovations, and properly marked secondary entrances will be open , with staff to guide the public.

The free admission period runs approximately from early September to November 2025 , i.e., three months during which the Film Library offers its screenings free of charge.

During this time, although services such as the cafeteria will be temporarily suspended , sessions will continue to be scheduled, albeit with a slight reduction in the daily number.

This fall's programming maintains the Doré's characteristic quality and diversity. In September , for example, a series is dedicated to contemporary Spanish cinema , featuring recent titles such as Avelina Prat's "A Portuguese Villa." Works by directors such as Ramón Salazar and Jacques Demy will also be screened, as well as more modern offerings such as Luca Guadagnino's series "We Are Who We Are."

There will also be tributes to classic westerns, restored films, documentaries, and special sessions exploring recent history, democratic memory, and the evolution of Spanish cinema.

Free tickets can be reserved three days before each screening , starting at 5:00 PM , through the official website of the Spanish Film Archive. Each user may request a maximum of two tickets per screening .

Additionally, for those who prefer in-person viewing , the Cine Doré box office is open Tuesday through Sunday, between 5 and 8 p.m. , for same-day screenings. However, given the free nature of the show and the interest, it is recommended to book in advance or arrive early, as capacity is limited .