Best Of Reykjavík 2023: Best Cinema

Best Cinema

Bíó Paradís

Hverfisgata 54, 101 Reykjavík

Photo by Art Bicnick

What? The street magazine chose the only cinematheque in Reykjavík? Well, that took everyone by surprise. As much as we love many of our other theaters for a no-holds-barred blockbuster experience, there is simply no contender for the top spot. This is a theater that incorporates their customers’ needs through a lively dialogue with its community on what to show and what kind of events to stage. They are also the only theater consistently serving the international community in Iceland and a center for many of the film festivals, openings and awards in Iceland.

Runner-Up:

Laugarásbíó

Laugarás, 104 Reykjavík

Photo by Art Bicnick

There are four cinemas within electric scooter distance of downtown Reykjavík: Bíó Paradís, Háskólabíó, Kringlubíó and Laugarásbíó. Many will forget that last one, but we have a soft-spot for its outsider status. In the 80s and 90s, Laugarásbíó was a haven for cult action movies and B-horror (think Bloodsport and Critters). Today it’s more respectable but it retains that renegade vibe somehow. Sure it could use some freshening up but they’ve kept up with the latest in sound systems and screening technology and you’ll get much the same blast of Hollywood mayhem as you would with the bigger chains.

Runner-Up:

Kringlubíó (Lúxus)

Kringlan 4-12, 103 Reykjavík​​

Photo by kvikmyndir.is

The Lúxus screen in Kringlubíó recently introduced their “date seats” which are two-person leather recliners, where you can snuggle up to your partner with a blanket and a bucket of popcorn. It’s like 90% of the way towards replicating what it was like binging romcoms in Covid except outfitted with a Dolby Atmos sound system, brand-new movies and a big ol’ screen. Don’t sleep on it. Sleep on your best gal’s lap.

Previous Winners

2022: Bíó Paradís

2021: Bíó Paradís

2020: Smárabíó