How to find English speaking movies in Paris (2024)

How to find English-speaking movies in Paris

Updated by Jordan on 19/11/2019 and by Vanessa M in September 2023

So you’re in Paris and feel like seeing a movie. Perhaps you haven’t quite mastered French yet, or simply want to sit back, relax, and see a film in your native English. But this is France after all, how can I find English-speaking movies in Paris? Does this even exist? The short answer is oui, of course there are plenty of English speaking movies in the city of light!

Parisian cinemas can certainly offer you a break from the French language, but you just need to know where to look. You’re very lucky that the locals love American and British films so much! Here’s a quick guide to how to find English speaking movies in Paris!

Finding English-Speaking Movies in Paris: The Basics

So you’re off on an adventure to find some English-speaking moves in Paris! But there are a few things you should know. First of all, there are two kinds of films shown in French cinemas; a French dubbed version and the original version (in whatever language that may be).

The French dubbed version is listed as VF or version Française. Likewise, films in their original language are listed as VO, or version originale. The type of version is listed next to the movie title, at the cinema or online. And the writing may be small, so be sure to look carefully. If you have any doubts, just ask.

Plus, the original versions will most likely have French subtitles, so this is a good opportunity to practice your language skills!

Where can I watch English-speaking movies in Paris?

A few years ago, it was a lot more difficult to find English-speaking movies in Paris. But today, it’s quite simple thanks to the growing international community here.

There are two different options when it comes to choosing an English speaking movie in Paris. You can opt for the huge cinemas, with multiple showings at once (Gaumont, UGC, etc.), or for an independent cinema. You’ll find the largest cinemas around Montparnasse, Odéon, and Les Gobelins. The independent cinemas are scattered a bit all over the city, but more on this later.

In order to find English speaking movies in Paris, you have to know that we have a lot of cinemas that broadcast English-speaking movies in Paris, because Parisians actually like to read subtitles! For us, it’s one of the best ways to learn how to speak another language.

Every English movie with subtitles will be labeled as “VOSTFR“, meaning “original version with French subtitles”. So, if the movie is an English movie it will be in English. If it is a Spanish movie, it will be in Spanish! Most of the time those movies are during the evening because children are not able to read subtitles, and also because most of the time they go to the cinema during the day.

Click here for the 10 best cinemas in Paris

Independent Cinemas in Paris

You can also find English-speaking movies at the independent cinemas in Paris. And in my opinion, going to independent cinemas is a more unique experience! The independent cinemas are rich in history, and often decadently decorated for a true Parisian cinema feel.

For instance, Studio 28 in Montmartre opened its doors in 1928 and has been broadcasting the greatest cinema classics (and new hits) since then! If you’re a cinema lover, you absolutely need to go see a movie in an independent cinema in Paris. At the independent cinemas, movies are always in their original version and they are much more cozy and romantic compared to the big cinemas like MK2, Gaumont, or UGC. Independent cinemas will provide the most charming and incredible cinema experience!

You can also find “VOSTFR” movies in independent cinemas, such as Studio 28 located in the Montmartre neighborhood, but also Le Champo in the Latin Quarter.

cinema studio 28 – 10 rue tholozé 75018

metro: Lamarck-caulaincourt or abbesses

How to Find The Closest Cinemas: Allociné

As you may have guessed, there are plenty of cinemas in Paris! But how can you find the one closest to you? In order to know where to find the nearest “VOSTFR” movies, I really recommend you the website or the mobile app Allociné.

This app will show you all the cinemas around you as well as how to get there. And you will be able to see right away if the movies are labeled “VOSTFR“, meaning “original version with French subtitles”. With this website or app, you can also buy your movie tickets in advance. Talk about convenient!

How to Use Allociné: Quick Tips for the English-Speaker

The Allociné website and the mobile app are pretty simple but they are in French. So, I will give you a few tips so you can use them easily:

To properly find the closest cinemas that are broadcasting English-speaking movies through the website, you need to type the postal code for the “arrondissem*nt” (ex:75001) you’re currently in. Then, you will have a list of the cinemas around you. You need to click on the cinema you want to go to and the website will give you the list of the movies that are being aired at the moment as well as their time schedule. And don’t worry, you will be able to see if the movies are English-speaking or not!

For the app version of Allociné, click on “à proximité” and then it actually works the same way. Pay attention to one thing, sometimes the movie is simply labeled “VO“, instead of “VOSTFR” but that is exactly the same thing!

Go See an English-Speaking Movie in Paris!

Well, now you know how to find English speaking movies in Paris! So what are you waiting for? Go see one!

Of course we believe that French is a great language and it is one of the most sensual languages in the world! But if you want to go to the cinema during your stay in Paris, it’s better if you understand what the movie characters are actually saying. Plus, it’s more enjoyable to see a movie in your own language at times.

Locals love everything about arts and culture and going to the movies is very typical of Parisian lifestyle. So seeing a movie here is a great way to become a little more Parisian.

Watching a classic film in a Parisian cinema is one of the best things to do while in Paris! So, I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article about how to find English-speaking movies in Paris and that it has been useful for you during your travels.

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Le Grand Rex movie theater

This landmark Art Deco theater is much more than a movie house. Sure, you can see the latest movies here, but the primary draw is its Grand Auditorium, a 2,800-seat venue that offers world premieres, blockbuster screenings, sing-along movie evenings, live orchestra ciné performances, and much more.

The opulent atmosphere brings you to a time when going to the movies was truly a memorable occasion. When you walk in, you might believe you’re at the theater or the opera. Balconies, loges, and, of course, those gloriously rich soft red velvet seats are available. In addition to the Grand Auditorium, Le Grand Rex is a regular movie theater that shows current releases on standard screens.

Le Grand Rex is one of Paris’ most recognizable cinemas, frequently hosting English-language film screenings, including Hollywood blockbusters. For true movie buffs, or if you’re traveling with children and want to experience something entertaining and out of the usual, the Rex Studios Backstage Tour is also available.

Grand Rex-1 Bd Poissonnière, 75002 Paris, France

UGC Ciné Cité Les Halles

UGC Ciné Cité Les Halles plays films at your convenience till 11 p.m. Whether the film is in its original language, in French, in 3D, an adventure, a romance, or an action film, you will be blown away by the sound and image quality, the comfortable chairs, and the great service.

If you want to unwind and see something new with your family or friends, go to UGC Ciné Cité Les Halles. According to Comscore research the UGC Ciné Cité Les Halles attracted more moviegoers in 2022 than any other theater in the world.

UGC Ciné Cité Les Halles-7 place De La Rotonde, 75001 Paris, France

La Cinémathèque française

La Cinémathèque Francaise, a world-class cinema museum, is situated in a remarkable edifice designed by Frank Gehry in the Bercy district. It shows a lot of rare international films. The film Museum, dedicated to the most beautiful artifacts from the holdings of the Cinémathèque française, presents a unique heritage in the globe-spanning the prehistory of film to the current day.

Mythical costumes and accessories, luxurious models of magic lanterns, picture boxes and optical views from the 18th century, cameras and projectors, models or sets, posters, photographs, manuscripts, and other archives form an exceptional ensemble, possibly the oldest in the world, acquired by film collection pioneers and constantly enriched.

Cinémathèque Française-51 Rue de Bercy, 75012 Paris, France

Le Louxor

Built-in 1920 by architect Henry Zipcy, the Louxor is one of the last pre-war cinemas and arguably Paris’s oldest movie palace. Inspired by the 1917 film success Cleopatra, starring vamp actress Theda Bara, Zipcy designed one of Paris’s few Egyptian Revival marvels, a movie theater that provided a little luxury to the neighborhood’s working-class populace.

For decades, the Louxor struggled to establish an audience, eventually specializing in “exotic” movies, screening Bollywood, North African films, and erotica late at night. It became an Antillean nightclub in the 1980s, and then the Parisian version of Studio 54, where the LGBT and party communities utilized it as a bastion.

Unfortunately, it was sold in the 1990s and abandoned for 20 years until it was spared from demolition by a local association and the City of Paris rebuilt the ruins of the Louxor. The cinema palace reopened in 2013, and the opulent theater is once again showing films.

Here are 10 legendary French films you need to see to understand French people

Le Louxor-170 Bd de Magenta, 75010 Paris, France

MK2 Bibliothèque

MK2 bibliothèque movie theater is one of the largest in Paris with over a million and a half visitors every year. Located near the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris’s 13th arrondissem*nt it is the third largest movie theater in terms of ticket sales. Inside there are 20 rooms totaling over 3000 seats. There’s also a creperie, a café-restaurant, and a store in the foyer.

Exclusive previews, blockbusters, and a variety of art films are all available in the original version with subtitles or in French at MK2 Bibliothèque. Furthermore, the BNF has four viewing rooms. In 2019, the movie theater underwent renovations, and it now has a confectionery counter and multiple ticket machines to help you get to your movie as quickly as possible.

MK2 Bibliothèque-128 – 162 Av. de France, 75013 Paris, France

Hope to see you soon in Paris!