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Cinemas

Cinema Akil in 25hours

⚠ Temporarily Closed

📍 Trade Center Second, Dubai

★4.5(35 Google reviews)💰Ticket prices vary by screeningđŸ‘ļAll ages

Outdoor cinema platform at 25hours Hotel Dubai featuring plush couch seating, quality sound, and a curated programme of international and arthouse films, festivals, and special screenings.

✓ outdoor cinema✓ arthouse films✓ plush seating✓ film festivals✓ 25hours Hotel✓ unique experience
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★★★★★Featured review by Omar

Such a great, well organized experience. A lovely little community, and some of the nicest staff and security in thie city. Watched Dog Day Afternoon. The movies start around 10 minutes after the posted show times, and there was plenty of seating available. The place is well decorated with a nice atmosphere. The sound system and the screen are great, especially for a part outdoor cinema. Noise from neighboring places / cars can intrude in the experience, but it wasnt too distracting. To top it off, free valet parking is included with your ticket. They made the experience so accessible and effortless for anyone into movies, or just looking for a good time. Definitely coming back.

🏆 Family Action Verdict

Best for older children and teens with an interest in cinema beyond mainstream blockbusters. The outdoor couch setup rewards families who enjoy a relaxed, communal film atmosphere. Toddlers are technically admitted, and the curated arthouse programme is best matched to ages 10 and up.

â„šī¸ What to Know Before You Go

💡Arrive a few minutes before the posted time — screenings start roughly ten minutes after
⏰Check the programme in advance as content ranges from family films to adult arthouse titles
đŸŽŸī¸Dress in layers — open-air evenings can cool down significantly in winter months

đŸ’Ŧ What Families Are Saying

View all reviews →
4.5
★★★★★

35 Google reviews

Programme quality40%
Atmosphere30%
Staff & organisation20%
Sound & screen10%
O

Omar

★★★★★

“Such a great, well organized experience. A lovely little community, and some of the nicest staff and security in thie city. Watched Dog Day Afternoon. The movies start around 10 minutes after the posted show times, and there was plenty of seating available. The place is well decorated with a nice atmosphere. The sound system and the screen are great, especially for a part outdoor cinema. Noise from neighboring places / cars can intrude in the experience, but it wasnt too distracting. To top it off, free valet parking is included with your ticket. They made the experience so accessible and effortless for anyone into movies, or just looking for a good time. Definitely coming back.”

G

G F

★★★★★

“Very cute experience, lovely area, feels fun and different .. worth trying”

V

Vikas Singh

★★★★★

“Cinema Akil is an independent cinema platform that brings quality films from across the world to audiences. From fully fledged film festivals to one-off special screenings and exclusive events, this is a cinema experience you will not find anywhere else in the UAE. By showcasing directors and films from across the decades, Cinema Akil aims to create awareness and interest in film and the cinematic arts. Launched in 2014, the one-screen cinema is a cosy experience with plush couches, incredible audio, and vintage posters adorning the walls. Seating is unassigned, so might sure to arrive a little early.”

A

Ayush Tibra

★★★★★

“It was amazing, sound vibe and to all the movie lovers...you are gonna love it so much.”

Reviews from Google

Overview

Cinema Akil operates as an independent outdoor cinema at 25hours Hotel, Trade Center Second. The programme spans film festivals, one-off director retrospectives, and exclusive screenings unavailable elsewhere in the UAE. Seating is on plush couches under open sky, with a quality sound setup. The venue is well-decorated and the security and staff are described as among the friendliest in the city. Screenings begin approximately ten minutes after posted start times.

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