Filmtheater Sendlinger Tor

This theater, built in the "Jugendstil", a more minimalistic German form of Art Nouveau, opened in 1913 with the premiere of the Italian film "Antonio e Cleopatre" and is therefore one of the oldest surviving movie theaters in Germany. It was at that time the 40th picture theater in town, and by far the most beautiful and comfortable.

From 5th August 1945, it was re-named Central Theater and was used by American soldiers. This lasted until 19th December 1946, when it reverted back to its original name.

In 1997 the interior was beautifully renovated. Also, a new state-of-the-art sound system and a wide screen were put in, but great care has been taken to leave everything as authentically looking as possible. For many years it has been the home of the Munich Film Festival.

In September 2024 it was announced that the owners of the building would not renew the lease and the Filmtheater Sendlinger Tor would close in January 2025.

Recent comments (view all 2 comments)

Ken Roe on June 22, 2009 at 6:05 pm

A night-time photograph in October 2008:
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GeorgeRauscher on August 19, 2009 at 11:39 pm

@ KenRoe Thanks for the great shot! I forgot to mention the fact that this theater employs one of the last movie billboard painters in Germany. I found a fairly recent clip on youtube, of an interview with the Artist, Rene Birkner. You can also see the Sendlinger Tor Theater, in front of which the manager explains that they will not cut the luxury of having this painter, because the billboards add to the atmosphere of the theater
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLRW3MO9z6I