Is there an IMAX cinema in Iceland?

Magnús Jóhann Björnsson
07 May. 2019

Planning a rainy-day movie night between waterfalls and glacier hikes? Here's the short version: Iceland does not currently have an IMAX cinema, but Reykjavík has several well-equipped movie theaters, including ones with 4K projection and Dolby Atmos sound, and going to the cinema is a genuinely enjoyable, easy part of a self-drive trip.

Does Iceland have IMAX?

No, as things stand, there is no IMAX-branded cinema anywhere in Iceland, including Reykjavík. This is a common question from visitors used to IMAX screens at home, and the honest answer is that Iceland's cinema scene, while good, is built around a handful of independent and chain theaters rather than the big international formats found in larger cities.

That doesn't mean the movie-going experience is basic. Reykjavík's newer theaters compete on picture and sound quality using their own premium formats, and for most travellers the experience holds up well against a standard multiplex back home.

Where can you find the best-quality cinema in Reykjavík?

Smárabíó and Sambíóin Egilshöll are often cited as offering some of the sharpest picture and sound in the capital, making them two theaters worth knowing about. Neither carries the IMAX name, but both invest in high-end projection and audio.

• Smárabíó, inside the Smáralind shopping mall, runs a Flagship 4K projector paired with Dolby Atmos sound (specs last checked August 2026), a combination still uncommon among Icelandic cinemas.
• Sambíóin Egilshöll, opened in 2010, has four halls, including one with what is widely described as the largest cinema screen in Iceland.
• Smárabíó's Lúxus hall tickets include an alcoholic drink (wine or beer), which is unusual for cinemas in Iceland.

What about Bíó Paradís?

Bíó Paradís, whose name translates to "The Paradise Movie Theater," is Reykjavík's home for independent, arthouse, and non-blockbuster film. It's a smaller, more intimate cinema than the multiplexes, and it regularly screens student films alongside its main program. It's also one of the few Icelandic cinemas with its own bar, so a screening can double as a relaxed evening out rather than just a quick film.

Bíó Paradís is closely tied to RIFF, the Reykjavík International Film Festival, which showcases up-and-coming filmmakers and is known for screening films in unconventional venues, a swimming pool, a cave, and even filmmakers' own homes have all hosted RIFF screenings over the years. Most of the festival's regular programming, though, runs through Bíó Paradís itself.

Cinema comparison: Reykjavík's main theaters

None of these currently operates under the IMAX brand, so if IMAX specifically is the priority, it's worth setting that expectation before you travel.

Are there movie theaters outside Reykjavík?

Yes, cinemas exist well beyond the capital, though they're smaller and less frequently updated with new releases. If your self-drive itinerary takes you around the Ring Road or into the West Fjords, you'll pass through towns that have their own local theater, including Akranes, Patreksfjörður, Selfoss, Sauðárkrókur, Ísafjörður, Keflavík, Laugar, Húsavík, Vestmannaeyjar, Akureyri, and Seyðisfjörður.

Some of these are genuinely small operations with a limited schedule, don't expect daily showtimes or a wide choice of films, but for travellers curious about everyday Icelandic life outside the capital, catching a film in one of these towns can be a low-key, memorable stop on a longer road trip. If your route already includes overnight stops in towns like Akureyri or Ísafjörður, it's worth a quick check of the local listings before you arrive.

Will the movie be in English or dubbed in Icelandic?

Almost everything is subtitled, not dubbed. Foreign films, including English-language releases, are shown in their original language with Icelandic subtitles, so US, UK, Canadian, and Australian visitors don't need to worry about language barriers at the cinema. The exception is some children's animated films, which are often available in both an Icelandic dub and the original English version, cinemas typically let you choose which showing to book.

Getting to the cinema with a rental car

A rental car is the practical way to reach any of these cinemas, whether you're catching a late showing at Smárabíó near Reykjavík or a small-town screening on a longer road trip. Reykjavík's cinemas have their own parking, but if you're combining a movie night with time in the city center, it's worth understanding the parking system in Reykjavík before you go, since street parking works on a paid-zone basis.

For visitors arriving straight off a flight and hoping to catch an evening film in Reykjavík the same day, picking up your car quickly matters. Blue Car Rental's online check-in is designed to speed up pickup at Keflavík Airport, which can help if you're aiming to be settled into your accommodation, or your cinema seat, with time to spare.

If your trip is built around exploring further afield rather than staying in the capital, choosing the right car for your route matters more than which cinema chain you visit. Browse Blue Car Rental's vehicle range if you're weighing up a compact car for city stops against something larger for a longer Ring Road drive, and see the driving in Iceland in winter guide if your movie night falls during the colder months, when road conditions between towns can change quickly.

A cinema evening is also a good example of how a rental car fits into everyday Icelandic life, not just sightseeing, if you're curious about that wider picture, the Icelandic culture overview covers more of what daily life and local customs look like beyond the tourist route.

Mistakes to avoid

• Assuming IMAX exists somewhere in the country. It doesn't currently, don't build an itinerary around finding one.
• Expecting daily showtimes in small towns. Regional cinemas outside Reykjavík often have limited schedules, so check listings ahead rather than showing up on spec.
• Forgetting subtitles work in your favor. Films aren't dubbed into Icelandic (aside from some children's animation), so there's no need to avoid the cinema out of language concerns.
• Not checking alcohol policy. Most Icelandic cinemas don't sell alcohol; Bíó Paradís and Smárabíó's Lúxus hall are exceptions, not the rule.

Does Iceland have IMAX? The bottom line

If IMAX itself was the deciding factor in your movie plans, it's fair to feel slightly let down, the format simply isn't available in Iceland at the moment. But that's a narrower gap than it sounds: Reykjavík's better theaters already offer 4K projection and Dolby Atmos sound, arthouse and festival programming through Bíó Paradís, and a genuinely pleasant, low-hassle evening out. Combined with a rental car, a movie night is an easy, flexible addition to a self-drive trip rather than something you need to plan around.