Visitors to Barcelona hoping to catch the latest blockbusters from Hollywood, or any of the new films from anywhere else in the world, have plenty of options to choose from. Virtually every shopping mall in the city and outskirts will have its own cinema, and there are plenty of high street and neighbourhood cinemas throughout the city. However, the vast majority of these show movies that have been dubbed into Spanish, rather than sub-titled, so if you want to see a movie in its original language you will need to make sure that it is clearly marked V.O., which stands for Version Original. Having said that, there are plenty of good cinemas where movies are shown in their V.O.

Probably the best, or at least the most convenient of these, is the Icaria-Yelmo Complex in the Icaria shopping centre in the Olympic Village (Vila Olympica). This cinema complex has 15 screens, and mixes blockbusters with art-house (more usually shown later in the evening), and also has early showings at the weekend where the tickets have been somewhat reduced. It is also very easy to get to, simply take the L4 or yellow line to Ciutadella Vila Olimpica, and stroll a few blocks down Avinguda d’Icaría where you’ll find the entrance to the shopping mall – the cinema complex is down the escalator.

Just off Las Ramblas, at 5 Carrer Pi, you’ll find Cinema Malda which shows two different movies for one price, usually in English V.O. on a weekly rotation. There are late night sessions on Friday and Saturday, matinees on Saturday and Sunday, and reduced price on Wednesday. The nearest metro is Liceu on the L3 or green line – as you exit walk back up Las Ramblas towards Plaça Catalunya, and turn right on Carrer de la Portaferrissa, and right again on Carrer Pi.

Near the city centre, at 90 Rambla de Catalunya (which runs parallel to Passeig de Gracia), you’ll find The Alexis just two blocks down from the Diagonal metro stop which services the L3, or green, and L5, or blue, lines.

Cinema Casablanca Kaplan is located at 115 Passeig de Gracia, and is a small 2 screen cinema that also has movies in original version. Again, the nearest metro station is Diagonal.

A cinema which tends to specialise in lower budget, and less blockbuster-styled, movies, is the ever-popular Cinema Verdi in the bohemian Gracia neighbourhood. Actually, there are two cinemas here, the smaller Cinema Verdi on Carrer de Verdi, and around the corner you’ll find Verdi Park Cinemas, which has 4 screens – both offer a fine choice in original version movies. The nearest metro station is Fontana, on the L3 green line, as you exit the station turn right, and follow Carrer d’Asturies until it meets Carrer de Verdi.

Cinemes Méliès, located at 102 Carrer Villarroel, always shows its films in their original version. The nearest metro is Urgell on the L1 or red line.

Filmoteca, at 33 Avignuda de Sarria, is run by the local council, and offers a selection of films in their original version, as well as hosting numerous film festivals every year. The nearest metro is Hospital Clínic, on the L5 or blue line.

Cines Renoir, at 12 Eugeni d’Ors, also shows a fine range of films in their original version. The nearest metro stations is Les Corts on the L3 or green line.

Finally, a mention should be made of Microcine Zelig at 51 Ferlandia, near MACBA in the Raval district. Zelig is not really a cinema, more of a café with a projection screen and seats where they show mostly cult classics. Screenings always begin at 9pm, and costs 3€ (this includes a drink). Details are available at www.void-bcn.com

It is worth remembering that V.O. means Version Original, and that the subtitles are usually going to be in Spanish, and occasionally in Catalan. So, a movie like “House of the Flying Daggers”, for example, is going to be confusing if you don’t understand Mandarin or read Spanish!!