Looking for films in English in Zürich? You do not need to open a dozen cinema websites every week. English-language screenings from across the city's cinemas are gathered in one place, and the list is updated daily so it keeps pace with the weekly programme.
The short answer
Start here: what is showing in English. It pulls together English-language screenings from cinemas across Zürich, from big multiplexes to small arthouses, and it is refreshed every day. That replaces the old routine of checking each cinema's site one by one and trying to guess which sessions are actually in English.
What do OV and E/d/f mean?
In Switzerland many films are dubbed into German, so cinema listings use labels to flag the ones shown in their original language.
- OV stands for original version. The film runs in its original soundtrack rather than a dubbed one, which for a Hollywood or British title means you hear it in English.
- E/d/f means the film is in English (E) with German (d, Deutsch) and French (f) subtitles. You get the original English audio, with subtitles you can ignore if you like.
Both labels point to the same thing for English speakers: the original English soundtrack, not a dubbed one. You do not have to memorise the codes, though, because the films page already filters for English-language sessions.
Where to watch, by neighbourhood
Zürich's cinemas are spread across the city, and different areas suit different moods. Here is how the venues we cover line up. Each name links to its page, where you can see what that cinema is currently showing in English.
Old Town and the city centre (Kreis 1)
The historic core around Bahnhofstrasse and Bellevue holds several screens within walking distance of the lake and the main station. Arthouse Le Paris and Arthouse Movie sit in the Old Town, as does Filmpodium, the city's repertory cinema for classics and retrospectives. blue Cinema Capitol is near the central station, and blue Cinema Corso is right by Bellevue and the Opera House.
Zürich-West (Kreis 5)
Zürich's former industrial quarter has been rebuilt into a district of converted factory buildings, bars and cultural venues. Riffraff and blue Cinema Abaton are both here, a short walk from the after-film cafés and nightlife the area is known for.
District 4, around Langstrasse (Aussersihl)
Kreis 4 is Zürich's most multicultural and nightlife-heavy district, stretching from Stauffacher toward Langstrasse. Kino Xenix sits near Helvetiaplatz, Frame powered by KinoKoni is up toward the station on Lagerstrasse, and blue Cinema Metropol is by Stauffacher.
Seefeld (Kreis 8)
On the eastern shore of the lake, the Seefeld area is a calm, upmarket stretch of parks and quiet streets. Arthouse Piccadilly is the screen to know here.
Wiedikon and Sihlcity (Kreis 3)
South and west of the centre, this mainly residential district is home to Houdini Kino/Bar and, inside the Sihlcity complex built on a former paper mill, the larger Arena Cinemas Sihlcity.
You can see the full set of venues on the cinemas page.
Keeping it simple
The point of all this is that you do not have to track any of it yourself. Rather than opening cinema sites and decoding OV and E/d/f labels each week, check the films page for what is on in English, browse the cinemas we cover, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get the highlights in your inbox.
