The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Like Egypt’s best qualities, the scope of cinemas in Cairo encapsulates the weird and the wonderful, the old and the new. It’s difficult not to reminisce about the golden age of Egyptian cinema when we’re confronted with film after film of slapstick balady comedy and over-zealous censorship guidelines, but nevertheless, thousands of Cairenes flock to movie theatres around the city every week and the options are plentiful.

IMAX (Sheikh Zayed)

Located in Americana Mall, Sheikh Zayed, Cairo’s first IMAX is the go-to for the biggest Hollywood blockbusters. Needless to say, the sound and picture is top notch, though ticket prices are predictably steep, while children below the age of four are not permitted – probably for the best.

Early Shows:                                      Evening Shows:

40LE                                                       60LE

Plaza Cinema (Sheikh Zayed)

Another of Americana Plaza Mall’s movie theatre options, Plaza Cinema offers a whopping ten screens for your viewing pleasure. As one of the newer cinema complexes in Cairo, everything here feels clean, organised and neat, thanks to the excellent staff.

Early Shows:                                      Evening Shows:

Regular – 20LE                                   Regular – 35E
3D – 25LE                                             3D – 40LE

Cine Comfort (Sheikh Zayed)

Making up two of the thirteen theatres housed in Americana Plaza Mall, Cine Comfort offers the perfect viewing experience for those who like to lounge. With lazy-boy-style seating and ample space, just make sure you don’t fall asleep.

Early Shows:                                      Evening Shows:

Regular – 20LE                                   Regular – 35E
3D – 25LE                                             3D – 40LE

Galaxy Cineplex (6th of October City)

Offering a great way to relax after a hard day’s shopping at 6th of October City’s Mall of Arabia, Galaxy Cineplex is also a great spot to drop off your kids before having a little alone time around the mall. Though Mall of Arabia houses some of the best venues in Cairo, the cinema itself isn’t as lush as you’d imagine; sound and picture quality is satisfactory at best, while seating is rather rudimentary.

Early Shows:                                      Evening Shows:

Regular – 20LE                                   Regular – 35E
3D – 25LE                                             3D – 40LE

Stars Cinema (Heliopolis)

With an impressive thirteen theatres, Stars Cinema can be held accountable for the incessant busyness of Citystars in Heliopolis.  Located on the fifth floor of the popular mall, several of the theatres are small in size, but the quality in terms of screen and sound are impeccable. All theatres are kept clean – which is a pleasant surprise.

Early Shows:                                      Evening Shows:

Regular – 20LE                                   Regular – 35E
3D – 25LE                                             3D – 40LE

Golden Stars Cinema VIP (Heliopolis)

Slightly outshining its fifth floor counterpart, Golden Stars Cinema seems to believe that adding the name of a precious metal to its name elevates it. In truth, it does; located on the first floor of Citystars, the complex houses less theatres – eight – but offers a an all-round comfier viewing experience. This, however, comes at a price.

Early Shows:                                      Evening Shows:

Regular – 25LE                                   Regular – 40E
3D – 35LE                                             3D – 50LE

Royal Renaissance Sun City (Heliopolis)

Sun City Mall is quickly becoming a beacon for all things cool in Cairo, and the cinema follows in suit. Offering twelve screens, and four VIP screens with a separate VIP Lounge, this is one of the most grandiose cinemas in the city.  With top-notch visuals and sounds, Royal Renaissance Sun City’s business seats are quite something.

Early Shows:                                      Evening Shows:

Regular – 15LE                                   Regular – 35LE
3D – 20LE                                             3D – 40LE
Business – 30LE                                 Business – 40LE                                
Business 3D – 35LE                           Business 3D – 45LE

Renaissance Nile City (Downtown/Boulaq-Shobra)

Located inside the Nile City Towers, Renaissance stands as possibly the most popular cinema in Cairo; every foreign film that makes it through Egyptian censorship will be here. Unfortunately, the cinema has gained a rather unlikeable reputation for being noisy and unkempt, but that doesn’t seem to deter many from the eight-theatre complex.

Early Shows:                                      Evening Shows:

Regular – 25LE                                   Regular – 35E
3D – 35LE                                             3D – 45LE

Ramses Hilton (Downtown)

Slap-bang in the middle of the busiest part of Downtown Cairo, the Ramses Hilton Cinema is decaying as badly as the once beautiful architecture of the area. Though the complex has five screens, showing both Arabic and English language films, the level of service and derriere-to-seat comfort  is not befitting of the Hilton name.

Early Shows:                                      Evening Shows:

15LE                                                       30LE

Odeon (Downtown)

In comparison to many cinemas in the city, the Odeon Cinema in Downtown Cairo offers good value for money. Though tickets are cheaper, the four theatre cinema boasts crisp and consistent quality throughout both Egyptian and foreign films.                

Early Shows:                                      Evening Shows:

15LE                                                       20LE

El Tahrir Cinema (Dokki)

Standing tall along the huge stretch of Tahrir Street in Dokki, El Tahrir Cinema is one of the most popular and longstanding cinemas in the city. Though it houses just a single screen, showing only Egyptian films, the cinema boasts balcony seating that is more suited to a theatre or picture houses of old. This is probably not a place to come if you’re not a fan of teenagers.                

Early and Evening Shows:

Regular seating – 25LE
Balcony Seating – 30LE

Galaxy Cinema (Manial)

As another landmark cinema in Cairo, Manial’s Galaxy Cinema accommodates six theatres, screening both Egyptian and foreign films. A sense of efficiency and gravity runs throughout the cinema, making it one of the most dependable and frequented cinemas in the city.

Early Shows:                                      Evening Shows:

Regular – 15LE                                   Regular – 30LE
3D – 20LE                                             3D – 40LE

Bandar (Maadi)

Never ones to feel left out, Maadi’s close-knit kinship takes pride in Bandar despite being one of the smallest cinemas in the city. But despite having only three theatres, Bandar offers moviegoers Egyptian and foreign films, as well as the gift of 3D, though ticket prices are curiously high.

Early Shows:                                      Evening Shows:

Regular – 30LE                                   Regular – 35E
3D – 40LE                                             3D – 45LE

These are just a few of the cinemas in Cairo – check out the Cairo 360 cinema listings for more. And remember; 3D glasses are not included in any of the above ticket prices and vary from cinema to cinema. Happy viewing!