There is no need to convince anyone that Łódź is a city of film and cinema. In Łódź, film culture has a long and rich history. The city is famous not only for its film industry, but also for its wide range of cinemas. In 1899, the Krzemiński brothers founded the first permanent cinematograph in Poland - "Theatre of Living Photographs", which was probably located in a shop at ul. Piotrkowska 120, and in the following years, screenings were organised in a shop at Plac Wolności. They quickly gained extraordinary popularity, and crowds were literally banging on the doors and windows! Just a few years later, in 1908, the first building was built, which was to function as a cinema from the very beginning. And so, at ul. Przejazd 2, today Tuwima, the "Odeon" cinema was built. Later, other such places were built, and in 1913, the first open-air cinema was opened in Helenów Park. By 1918, 11 cinemas were built in Łódź, and their number was still growing, so in the 1970s, there were 35 of them in Łódź! With a total of 12,000 seats. It was only in the 1980s that the number of cinemas began to decline, which was sealed by the multiplexes that were built in the 21st century. The exceptional popularity of cinemas in Łódź resulted, among other things, from its character. From its metropolitan beginnings, Łódź was a working-class city. The population was poorly educated, for whom higher culture, such as theatres, was inaccessible. It was these residents who took a liking to the magic of cinema, which was initially considered entertainment for the lower social classes. In the post-war years, this popularity was additionally fuelled by the film industry, which, as we know, developed dynamically in Łódź. Below we present the cinemas that are currently operating in Łódź. Both large multiplexes and small arthouse cinemas, but also those that few people know about.
These are facilities with up to 20 cinema halls, characterized by large screen sizes, a large number of seats for viewers and a specific customer service model. Their repertoire is dominated by blockbusters, sometimes also 3rd-grade films.
Cinema City Manufaktura
(CH Manufaktura, Drewnowska 58, 91-002 Łódź)
Silver Screen Cinema is one of the largest and most modern cinemas in Łódź. Located in the Manufaktura shopping centre, it offers a rich film repertoire, including the latest blockbusters. Cinema City Manufaktura offers over 2,500 seats for viewers, spread over 14 air-conditioned rooms. The cinema also offers an innovative 4DX room and a large-format IMAX, as one of 6 available in Poland.
Repertoire: Cinema City Łódź Manufaktura cinema repertoire (cinema-city.pl)
Multikino
(al. marsz. Józefa Piłsudskiego 5, 90-368 Łódź)
Multikino is another popular multiplex cinema in Łódź. It is located in the very center, next to Galeria Łódzka, and was the first multiplex in the city. It offers modern cinema halls and a variety of films for viewers of all ages.
Repertoire: Repertoire of cinemas (multikino.pl)
Helios Cinema
(aleje Politechniki 1, 93-590 Łódź)
Helios Cinema is the youngest of Łódź's multiplexes. It is located in the Sukcesja Shopping Centre in Łódź. It has 9 air-conditioned rooms equipped with high-class sound equipment, Dolby ATMOS and DOLBY 7.1 digital sound, as well as silver screens of the highest world quality 4K.
Repertoire: Cinema in Łódź | Helios
Smaller in surface area than multiplexes, they are characterised by a more ambitious repertoire, as well as the organisation of film discussion clubs.
Kino Charlie
(Piotrkowska 203/205, 90-451 Łódź)
Kino Charlie is a true legend among arthouse cinemas in Łódź. Known for promoting artistic and independent films, it attracts film lovers from all over the city. Founded by Sławomir Fijałkowski, it specializes in presenting European, ambitious, niche films and organizing artistic and film events. Kino Charlie was established in 1994 on the site of the former seat of the Łódź Center for Ideological Education.
Repertoire: Repertoire - Kino CHARLIE
Kino Tatry
The oldest operating cinema in Łódź and one of the longest continuously operating cinemas in Poland. It was opened in 1907. Some consider it the longest operating cinema in Poland. In 1907, Oskar Kulawiński and Gustaw Mjunker opened the Belle-Vue cinematograph in the place of a former dance hall. The premises opened on November 13. It quickly gained great popularity, mainly due to the repertoire that was attractive to viewers at the time, considered by some to be pornographic.
Repertoire: FILM SCREENINGS - Kino Tatry Łódź (kinotatrylodz.pl)
NCKF Cinema
The National Centre for Film Culture is a unique place for all those interested in the world of film and audiovisual culture. It is a centre for film education and dissemination of knowledge about cinema, a centre of knowledge about the history of film and its future. The cinema at the National Centre for Film Culture consists of three richly equipped cinema halls: Odeon, Luna and Urania. In addition to the regular repertoire, they host national film festivals, lectures and academies.
Repertoire: Cinema repertoire | National Centre for Film Culture (ec1lodz.pl)
Kinematograf at the Museum of Cinematography
A climatic cinema located in the Museum of Cinematography in Łódź. You will watch there both ambitious cinema and current hits and blockbusters. Such a sense is the perfect complement to a visit to the museum of cinematography located in the same building, the oldest factory palace in Łódź.
Repertoire: Kinematograf Cinema - Museum of Cinematography in Łódź
School Cinema of the National Film School
A charming place where film art flourishes. A unique cinema located in the rector's office of the Łódź Film School. The repertoire includes ambitious cinema and after Sens, meetings with directors and discussions. Sens is also an opportunity to see the interiors of the Łódź Film School.
Repertoire: School Cinema | Film School in Łódź (lodz.pl)
Kino Szpulka – Łódź Cultural Centre
(Currently, due to the construction of the cross-city tunnel, ŁDK and the cinema are closed)
The Szpulka Cinema in the Łódź Cultural Centre has two cinema halls belonging to the elite Network of Studio and Local Cinemas and the Network of Digital Cinemas, which bring together cinemas offering an ambitious and valuable film repertoire, promoting Polish and European cinema of high artistic value. Regular events include thematic film reviews.
Repertoire: Repertoire | Cinema of the Łódź Cultural Centre (lodz.pl)
In Łódź, you can also find cinema halls located inside hotels. The Stare Kino located in the hotel is worth mentioning. The name is not accidental, as the facility is located at Piotrkowska 120. It was there that the Krzemiński brothers launched the first cinematograph in Poland in 1899. The Stare Kino refers to this history both in its name and in the interior design of the rooms. Additionally, there is a hotel cinema there. The cinema's repertoire includes niche Polish and foreign films, a combination of classics and new films, special film events, as well as extraordinary film festivals. Currently, the cinema is only available to guests, who can take part in a screening as part of the price of their stay. Perhaps this will change over time, but currently it is a good incentive to stop during your stay in this place that can be called the cradle of Polish cinematography
The DoubleTree by Hilton is also a hotel with a film history and a cinema hall. The building was built on the site of a former film studio, and some of its buildings were incorporated into the hotel and today serve as concert and conference halls. The cinema was designed after World War II by Jakub Kirszentsztajn and quickly became famous for its excellent acoustics. It was here that films such as Andrzej Wajda's "Ziemia obiecana", Juliusz Machulski "Seksmisja '' and Jerzy Hoffman "Potop" had their premieres. Currently, screenings are organised there occasionally, and the hall is a space that can also be rented for events. If the opportunity arises, it is certainly worth seeing this undoubtedly historic cinema hall.
As mentioned earlier, at its peak, there were dozens of cinemas in Łódź. Some of them, although no longer in operation, still remain in the memory of Łódź residents and the rooms in which they were located have now been given a new life. One such example is the building that housed the Odeon cinema, which later operated under the name "Gdynia", among others, and which was built in 1908 and was the first building in the city built from the beginning to house a cinema. For many years it stood empty and fell into disrepair, and today, together with the so-called Dom Buta, it is undergoing renovation and a food court is to be built there. The new function may not refer to the film past of this beautiful Art Nouveau building, but we should be happy that it will no longer stand empty and fall into ruin, and that people will once again appear within its walls.
Another cinema where generations of Łódź residents watched films, and which is now to be given a new life, is the "Bałtyk" cinema located at the Philharmonic. In the coming years, it is to undergo a thorough renovation and a Music Education Center will be created inside. As part of the project, a medium-sized concert hall with a stage for about 70 musicians with professional sound system will be created. The cinema function will be preserved. The Music Education Center will be a meeting place for music lovers and all those interested in culture.
Łódź is a city that not only lives cinema, but also breathes it. From large multiplexes to intimate arthouse cinemas, every cinephile will find something for themselves in this fascinating film capital of Poland. And how many cinemas have you visited?
