Best Of Reykjavík Activities 2024: Best Cinema

You’ve had your five a day (veggies/beers/panic attacks), now you gotta stay active. Whether it’s to get a dose of culture, hopping on a day tour or splashing around in your municipal pool, you can’t go wrong with our picks for Best Activities.

Best Cinema

Bíó Paradís

Hverfisgata 54, 101 Reykjavík

Art Bicnick/The Reykjavík Grapevine

Yes, once again we doff our berets to one of Reykjavík’s last remaining cinemas and the country’s only cinematheque (sorry, we’re not counting venues that use their showroom for unlicensed showings of popular indies from the start of the century). Thankfully, this also happens to be a wonderful little cinema, where you can find art movies, Polish blockbusters and The Holiday on the same bill. You can go there right now, it’s in the city centre and they also have a bar and pop-up events. What are you waiting for?

Runner-Up:

Laugarásbíó

Laugarás, 104 Reykjavík

Photo by Art Bicnick

Laugarásbíó is an amazing ode to that sliiiightly grimy 90s cinema charm. While there’s a mild patina here and there, the sound system is top of the line and screening rooms are solid. The selection is not that much different from the three bigger theatres outside of downtown Reykjavík, so this one’s win is purely for the vibe. A panelist also noted the important fact that they sell Coca-Cola instead of Pepsi and have a solid candy selection. Because jawbreakers are deal breakers.

Runner-Up:

Smárabíó

Smáralind Shopping Mall, 201 Kópavogur

This is the spot to catch your Wonkas and your Marvels but it will also premiere Icelandic thrillers like Kuldi. Large showrooms for large movies and large bags of stupid, tasty popcorn.

Previous Winners

2023: Bíó Paradís

2022: Bíó Paradís

2021: Smárabíó