Málaga’s free summer cinema begins: films, times and locations

Málaga is once again transforming its summer nights into large open-air cinemas. Cine Abierto 2026 begins on Thursday, 2 July, with a programme designed for audiences of all ages and spread across different neighbourhoods of the city.

Organised by Málaga City Council through Málaga Procultura, the initiative will offer 105 free screenings at 18 venues, ranging from the beaches of La Malagueta, El Palo, Las Acacias and La Misericordia to parks, public squares and cultural spaces.

The programme combines animation, family comedies, major commercial releases, Spanish cinema, international films in their original language with Spanish subtitles and special screenings in historic locations.

The first films in Málaga’s summer cinema programme

The programme begins on Thursday, 2 July, with three films aimed primarily at families.

The first screening will take place in the morning at Cine Albéniz:

• The Wild Robot, at 11:00 am at Cine Albéniz.

Two outdoor screenings will follow in the evening:

• Padre no hay más que uno 5: Nido repleto, at 10:15 pm on La Misericordia beach.
• Paddington in Peru, at 10:15 pm in Parque del Cine, Teatinos.

The opening day will allow audiences to choose between a morning screening in an air-conditioned cinema and two evening experiences under the stars in different areas of Málaga.

Dates and times for Cine Abierto 2026

Málaga’s free summer cinema programme will run from 2 July to 13 August 2026.

Most screenings held on beaches, in parks, public squares and district venues will begin at 10:15 pm.

There are, however, several exceptions:

• Screenings at Cine Albéniz will begin at 11:00 am.
• Films at the San Miguel Historic Cemetery will begin at 10:00 pm.
• The screening at the English Cemetery will also begin at 10:00 pm.
• Original-language films at the Eduardo Ocón Auditorium will start at 10:15 pm.

All screenings included in Cine Abierto are free. Due to the programme’s popularity and the limited capacity of some venues, arriving early is recommended.

Málaga’s beaches become open-air cinemas once again

The city’s beaches will play a leading role in the programme, hosting 26 screenings across La Malagueta, La Misericordia, El Palo and Las Acacias.

La Misericordia will host the largest number of beach screenings. Its programme includes family films and recent major releases such as:

• Padre no hay más que uno 5: Nido repleto, on 2 July.
• Los aitas, on 4 July.
• Panda Bear in Africa, on 10 July.
• Smurfs, on 12 July.
• Buffalo Kids, on 16 July.
• Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, on 18 July.
• Sonic the Hedgehog 3, on 24 July.
• Paddington in Peru, on 26 July.
• Wolfgang, on 30 July.
• Wicked, on 1 August.
• A Minecraft Movie, on 7 August.
• The Wild Robot, on 9 August.
• The Fantastic Four: First Steps, on 11 August.

All these screenings will begin at 10:15 pm.

Films scheduled on La Malagueta beach

La Malagueta beach will host five nights of cinema during July and August:

• 3 July: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
• 17 July: Los aitas.
• 21 July: Wolfgang.
• 31 July: A Minecraft Movie.
• 6 August: The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

The films will begin at 10:15 pm and can be enjoyed beside the sea at one of the most central locations on Málaga’s coastline.

Summer cinema in El Palo and Pedregalejo

The programme will also reach two locations in eastern Málaga.

The following films will be shown on El Palo beach, on Calle Banda del Mar:

• A Minecraft Movie, on 25 July.
• Paddington in Peru, on 2 August.
• Los aitas, on 5 August.
• The Fantastic Four: First Steps, on 8 August.

Las Acacias beach in Pedregalejo will host:

• Wolfgang, on 8 July.
• Wicked, on 11 July.
• Padre no hay más que uno 5: Nido repleto, on 19 July.
• Panda Bear in Africa, on 22 July.

All screenings at both beaches will begin at 10:15 pm.

Free family morning screenings at Cine Albéniz

Families who prefer to avoid the summer heat or attend the cinema during the morning can enjoy 31 screenings at Cine Albéniz, all beginning at 11:00 am.

The sessions will mainly take place from Monday to Friday, with several children’s and family films repeated throughout the summer.

The selection includes:

• The Wild Robot.
• Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
• Paddington in Peru.
• Panda Bear in Africa.
• IF.
• Aisha’s Light.
• Buffalo Kids.
• A Minecraft Movie.
• Smurfs.

The Cine Albéniz programme will begin on 2 July with The Wild Robot and end on 13 August with Buffalo Kids.

These morning sessions provide an especially attractive option for families with children during the school holidays.

Free Spanish cinema in Plaza de Tabacalera

Plaza de Tabacalera, beside the Russian Museum Collection, will once again host a programme dedicated to Spanish and Ibero-American cinema.

Eight recent films will be screened:

• 3 July: Undercover, directed by Arantxa Echevarría.
• 5 July: Glimmers, directed by Pilar Palomero.
• 8 July: Marco, the Invented Truth, directed by Aitor Arregi and Jon Garaño.
• 11 July: Deaf, directed by Eva Libertad.
• 19 July: Away, directed by Gerard Oms.
• 22 July: A Portuguese House, directed by Avelina Prat.
• 25 July: The 47, directed by Marcel Barrena.
• 2 August: The Exiles, directed by Belén Funes.

All screenings will begin at 10:15 pm.

This section of the programme offers audiences the opportunity to rediscover some of the most notable Spanish films of recent seasons in an outdoor setting with free admission.

Auteur cinema and films in their original language

The Eduardo Ocón Auditorium, located on Paseo del Parque, will host the Cine con firma programme, featuring four international productions screened in their original language with Spanish subtitles.

The schedule is as follows:

• 29 July: Anora, directed by Sean Baker.
• 5 August: Emilia Pérez, directed by Jacques Audiard.
• 8 August: Parthenope, directed by Paolo Sorrentino.
• 12 August: Flow, directed by Gints Zilbalodis.

All four screenings will begin at 10:15 pm.

The programme will allow audiences to discover films recognised at international festivals and awards ceremonies while hearing the performers’ original voices.

Special screenings in Málaga’s historic cemeteries

Cine Abierto will once again use two of the city’s most distinctive heritage sites to host four special screenings.

The San Miguel Historic Cemetery will show:

• 16 July: Sirât, directed by Oliver Laxe.
• 30 July: Ghostlight, directed by Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson.
• 13 August: The Good Handwriting, directed by Celia Rico.

All three films will begin at 10:00 pm.

The English Cemetery will host a screening of Bird, directed by Andrea Arnold, on 9 July at 10:00 pm. The film will be shown in its original language with Spanish subtitles.

The unique nature of these venues makes these screenings some of the most distinctive events in the entire programme.

Parks and neighbourhoods included in Cine Abierto 2026

The programme will reach all 11 districts of Málaga through a network of public spaces across the city.

The 18 selected venues are:

Centro district

• Cine Albéniz.
• Eduardo Ocón Auditorium.
• La Malagueta beach.
• San Miguel Historic Cemetery.
• English Cemetery.

Málaga Este

• El Palo beach.
• Las Acacias beach in Pedregalejo.

Ciudad Jardín

• Parque de la Alegría.

Bailén-Miraflores

• Parque del Norte.

Palma-Palmilla

• Parque Martiricos.

Cruz de Humilladero

• Parque San Rafael.

Carretera de Cádiz

• Parque del Oeste.
• La Misericordia beach.
• Plaza de Tabacalera.

Churriana

• Plaza de la Inmaculada.

Campanillas

• CEIP Francisco de Quevedo.
• CEIP Cayetano Bolívar.

Puerto de la Torre

• Municipal marquee at the fairground.

Teatinos-Universidad

• Parque del Cine.

This distribution allows residents to find screenings close to their neighbourhood without always having to travel into Málaga city centre.

Films for audiences of all ages

The main programme is particularly focused on families, although it also includes films for younger audiences and titles recommended for adults.

Films scheduled across the city’s neighbourhoods include:

• Padre no hay más que uno 5: Nido repleto.
• Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
• Los aitas.
• The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
• Wolfgang.
• IF.
• Wicked.
• The Wild Robot.
• Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
• Paddington in Peru.
• Panda Bear in Africa.
• A Minecraft Movie.
• Aisha’s Light.
• Buffalo Kids.
• Smurfs.

Each film has its own age rating, so families are advised to check this information before attending with children.

Recommendations for attending Málaga’s summer cinema

Screenings on beaches, in parks and public squares are exposed to the usual summer conditions in Málaga.

For a more comfortable experience, audiences are advised to:

• Arrive early enough to find a suitable place.
• Bring a folding chair, mat or towel for beach screenings.
• Check the weather forecast before travelling.
• Bring drinking water and mosquito protection.
• Keep access routes clear and follow the organisers’ instructions.
• Remove all rubbish after the film.
• Check the age rating of each title.

It is also advisable to check the programme again on the day of the screening in case of changes caused by wind, rain or other circumstances.

More than a month of free cinema across Málaga

Cine Abierto continues to establish itself as one of Málaga’s largest free cultural activities of the summer.

For six weeks, the city will combine family cinema, major commercial releases, Spanish productions and international films in their original language. Audiences will be able to enjoy the big-screen experience in settings as varied as beaches, parks, auditoriums and historic cemeteries.

The full programme, possible updates and the complete calendar by film and venue are available on the official Cine Abierto website operated by the Málaga Film Festival.