The exhibitions are the movies at this beautiful, stately museum cum cinema within the Vondelpark, founded shortly after the end of World War II with stock from the Netherlands Film Archives. Around 30,000 films are stored in its vaults (along with posters and documentation), and delicate restoration work is also undertaken on the premises. The programming is inspired with a daily eclectic mix of screenings ranging from classics to contemporary, cartoons to cult and experimental, along with a respectful nod to Dutch filmmakers. Films in première are also screened and early 'pre-talkies' with live musical accompaniment are a veritable treat (as are the weekly open-air screenings in the summer). Additionally, the Filmmuseum collaborate with the Tuschinski cinema (see Best-Kept Secrets), and hold nostalgic Sunday-morning film screenings there: past classics have included Some Like It Hot, Doctor Zhivago, Metropolis and The Wizard of Oz. They also have children's programmes every Wednesday afternoon (except school holidays). The Filmuseum's café-restaurant, Vertigo, is great for brunch, lunch and dinner, especially on its parkside terrace.
KIT TROPENTHEATER | Mauritskade 63 [GZ] and Linnaeusstraat 2 [KZ] | (020) 568 8500 | www.tropentheater.nl
Some fantastic gems of world cinema are screened at the theatre of the city's Tropical Museum.
KRITERION | Roetersstraat 170 | (020) 623 1709 | www.kriterion.nl
This endearingly scruffy cinema is run by savvy students and screens both mainstream and independent films. Particularly popular are Monday evenings when 'classics' are screened and the Sneak Preview on Tuesday evenings. After the films, kick back in the bar with its predominantly student crowd.
THE MOVIES | Haarlemmerdijk 161 | (020) 624 5790 | www.themovies.nl
One of the more plush art houses in Amsterdam, it even has its own restaurant. Particularly popular are its midnight screenings on Friday and Saturdays.
OT301 | Overtoom 301 www.squat.net/ot301
This 'incubator' was squatted at the end of the 1990s and was formerly the city's film academy. So naturally, it comes with a small cinema and a generally political or subversive film programme.