Museum Lichtspiele Munich

Cinematic time capsule

Veronica from Munich

"Museum Lichtspiele in Munich is a real time capsule cinema with velvet-draped charm, international films, and the weekly Rocky Horror tradition since 1977."

When I step off the busy streets of Munich’s Au district and pull open the aged, creaking door of the Museum Lichtspiele on Lilienstraße, I am immediately transported back decades. This is the city’s oldest operational cinema, tracing its roots back to 1910. It feels less like an entertainment venue and more like a cherished time capsule; a true local haunt beloved for its lived-in charm.

The genuine magic of Museum Lichtspiele lies in its intimacy. Its four screening rooms are each unique, a fascinating, velvet-draped cabinet of curiosities.I prefer to hide away here on a lazy weekend afternoon, sinking into one of the comfortable chairs with my favorite cheddar cheese pretzel pieces. The atmosphere is never sterile; it is warm, with walls covered in patterns of copper and brown, reflecting a classic, luxurious style reminiscent of the great film palaces.

What secures the Museum Lichtspiele as a true local institution is its programming. It screens a brilliant selection of international films in their Original Voice, a commitment appreciated by any film lover here. Of course, it is globally famous for its other tradition: the weekly, ritualistic, and uninterrupted run of The Rocky Horror Picture Show since 1977. It is a unique and wonderfully transgressive centrepiece of Munich’s local culture, providing a sophisticated space to step away from the modern world and embrace the cinematic past.

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Munich Spotter Veronica

I’m a journalist, editor and writer who grew up under the Maltese sun, studied and worked in Scotland, and since 2016 have been based in Munich. Trained by the Associated Press and with a Masters from the University of Edinburgh, I now run my own content company, ittra.eu, where I write creative and business content. I also coach public speaking. Beyond words, I’m a proud mum of wonderful boys and an actress who has performed and written my own plays. I’m at my happiest swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. Travel, for me, is about stories: discovering places through their people, food and hidden...

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Oct 20, 2025

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