As Athens gradually empties out during the heart of August, so do the seats of the city’s beloved open-air cinemas. But while the crowds may head to the islands, the big screen stays put — a comforting reminder that “we’ll always have the movies.”
Despite the summer exodus, cinemas across the capital remain faithful to their weekly rhythm, delivering a fresh line-up of new releases. From clever romantic dramas and animated adventures to B-movie mayhem and re-releases of cinematic landmarks, here are ten reasons to keep cinema-going on your summer agenda:
Materialists (2025, dir. Celine Song)
Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Celine Song returns after Past Lives with another quietly perceptive look at modern relationships — this time through the unlikely lens of a New York matchmaking agency. Dakota Johnson stars as Lucy, a rising star in the world of arranged love, who’s a master at creating chemistry for others, but emotionally unavailable herself. That changes when she finds herself caught between a wealthy businessman (Pedro Pascal) and her struggling actor ex (Chris Evans). Smart, stylish, and emotionally layered — this is romantic comedy with actual substance.
Where to watch: Cine Athinaia, Cine Paris, cine War Museum, Cine Anesis, cine Filothei, Cine Psychiko, Cine Aigli, Cine Alexandra, cine Amaryllis, Cine Artemis, Cine Pallini, Cine Aliki, Village cinemas, Cine Chloe, Cine Alsos, Cine Nostalgia, Cine Aello, Lila, Cine Athens Groove, Cine Arkadia, Cine Argyroupoli, Cine Dionysia, cine Kipos, Cine Flerry, cine Floisvos, Cine Philip, Cine Katerina, Cine Pantheon, Cine Peran, Cine Titan, Cine Asteri, Cine Marilena, Options cinemas, Cine Ria, Cine Votsalakia, Cine Perama, Cine Nikea, Cool Tymvos cinema, Cine sissy, Cine Alex, Cine Oropos
Red Sonja (2025, dir. M.J. Bassett)
Based on the iconic comic and loosely following the 1985 cult classic, Red Sonja returns with a vengeance. Matilda Lutz steps into the role of the fierce warrior seeking justice for her slaughtered clan. While the bikini stays, Lutz promises a fresh take, far from the “male gaze” of past incarnations. Expect swords, blood, and unapologetic pulp fantasy that knows exactly what it’s doing.
Where to watch: Village cinemas, Aello cinemax
Close to Me (Muori di lei, 2024, dir. Stefano Sardo)
An Italian erotic noir set in pandemic-era Rome. When philosophy professor Luca’s doctor wife is called back to the hospital during lockdown, he finds himself increasingly drawn to his younger neighbor Amanda. Tension, obsession, and moral ambiguity unfold in this slow-burn psychological drama starring Mariela Garriga and Riccardo Scamarcio.
Where to watch: Cine Oasis, Ellinis cinemax, Trianon cinemax
Freakier Friday (2025)
Two decades after the original Freaky Friday, Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis return in a generational sequel. Anna is now a mom, Tess is navigating retirement, and both are learning to co-exist with a blended family when — you guessed it — another body-swap throws everything into chaos. A fun, feel-good sequel packed with nostalgia and new twists.
Where to watch: Village cinemas, Aello Cinemax, Sporting digital cinema, Options cinemas, Escape center cinema
Bambi: The Reckoning (2025)
From the twisted minds behind Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, comes a gory reimagining of the gentle deer story you thought you knew. After a mother and son crash their car in the woods, they’re stalked by a vengeful, mutated Bambi on a murderous rampage. Equal parts campy and deranged.
Where to watch: Village cinemas
Re-releases & Classics
Paisan (1946, dir. Roberto Rossellini)
A cornerstone of Italian neorealism, Paisan tells six stories of Allied soldiers and Italian civilians during the liberation of Italy. Shot mostly with non-actors, it’s an unflinching, deeply human wartime portrait. An Oscar nominee for its screenplay (co-written by Federico Fellini) and included in the Italian Ministry of Culture’s 100 films that shaped national memory.
Where to watch: Cine Athenee
Death of a Corrupt Man (Mort d’un pourri, 1977, dir. Georges Lautner)
A taut political conspiracy thriller starring Alain Delon as a behind-the-scenes power player caught in a murderous web of influence, cover-ups, and betrayal. With a supporting cast including Ornella Muti, Mireille Darc, and Klaus Kinski, this is a vintage French thriller at its finest.
Where to watch: Karmen cinema, Panathinaia cinema, Cine Stella, cine Dafni, Cine Varkiza
To Catch a Thief (1955, dir. Alfred Hitchcock)
Cary Grant plays a retired cat burglar drawn back into the game when a new series of heists puts him under suspicion — and into the orbit of the icy-sultry Grace Kelly. A lighter Hitchcock classic, drenched in Riviera glamour, sparkling dialogue, and sunlit suspense. Perfect summer viewing.
Where to watch: Cine Thiseion, Ellinis Cinemax, cine Varkiza
Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (¡Átame!, 1989, dir. Pedro Almodóvar)
An early, provocative Almodóvar film starring Antonio Banderas as a disturbed young man who kidnaps a porn actress (Victoria Abril) in a deranged quest for love. Raw, absurd, and brimming with the director’s trademark blend of melodrama, sex, and surrealism.
Where to watch: The Greek Film Archive, Cine Anoixis, cine Panathinaia
Close-Up (1990, dir. Abbas Kiarostami)
One of world cinema’s most celebrated works, this Iranian docufiction tells the true story of a man who impersonated filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf. Abbas Kiarostami brilliantly blurs fact and fiction, casting the real people involved in the trial to re-enact events. Named one of Sight & Sound’s 20 greatest films of all time, this is essential cinema.
Where to watch: Cine Ekran
Also Showing
Le Routard (2025, dir. Philippe Mechelen) – A French road-trip comedy starring Hakim Jemili, Christian Clavier, and Michel Blanc.
Dolphin By 2 (2025, dir. Mohammad Kheirandish) – The animated dolphin legend returns for another aquatic adventure — a hit with young audiences.
