Since German is the national language in Austria, you might think stage or screen entertainment could prove a little tricky for English speakers. Not so.
- Many cinemas show English-language films
- Find international plays at
- The English Theatre
- Open House Theatre
- The Burgtheater is the city’s showpiece theatre
- Subtitles sometimes available via an app
- Book a classical concert* for your trip
- See also:
English on stage & screen
Seated entertainment tends to get dominated by the classical concerts in Vienna, but English-language movies and plays also make up many of the evening entertainments available in the city. (Alongside dinner and yet another slice of Sachertorte.)
Cinemas
(The Burg Kino is a prominent English-language cinema and known for regular showings of The Third Man)
As you’d expect given Vienna’s size, film fans can choose from numerous movie theatres: from giant multiplexes showing Hollywood blockbusters to small art cinemas.
Around ten of these might be described as international or English-language cinemas, regularly showing films in the original English (some only ever show English-language films).
The availability of movies in English benefits more than just the international community and tourists; young Viennese in particularly use these films to expand their language skills or to simply enjoy performances in the actors’ own voices (rather than dubbed into German).
(The Haydn Kino also has many special showings: singalongs, classics, theatre, etc.)
Check listings and look for the abbreviation “OV” next to a film made in English. This means the movie will be shown in its original language. The abbreviation OmU means the same but with the addition of subtitles (probably in German).
Some films not shot in English may have English subtitles: look for the abbreviation OmeU on listings.
Vienna also hosts various film festivals throughout the year, including the prestigious Viennale. Many of these festivals feature English-language movies, documentaries, shorts, etc. or have subtitles in English.
Theatres
With all the fuss about Vienna’s classical music, a longstanding reputation as a haven for theatergoers often slips past unnoticed. The problem for the visitor to Vienna, of course, is that nearly all theater productions are in German.
Exceptions exist, though.
The English Theatre
(The entrance; press photo © Vienna’s English Theatre)
Founded in 1963, Vienna’s English Theatre has the distinction of being the oldest of its kind in mainland Europe. Productions are in English, but French and Italian performances have featured in the past.
I saw Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of ) there back in 2024, for example.
Some of the world’s greatest acting talents appeared at the location, including Oscar-winners Judi Dench and Anthony Quinn, as well as the likes of Larry Hagman and Jean-Paul Belmondo.
Open House Theatre
(Just one of the highlights offered each year by the touring theatre company)
Reflecting the cultural heritage of the city, Open House Theatre is an association that puts on theatrical and other productions in different venues but also acts as a platform and support for creative collaborations.
Performances have a strong international flavour and are usually in English. The remit varies from contemporary to classic, though one tradition is the popular annual production of A Christmas Carol.
Burgtheater
(The Burgtheater viewed from the Rathausplatz)
The most famous of the German-language theatres is the Burgtheater, opposite city hall, which has a long and illustrious history.
Though the actors only speak in German (as befits what is essentially the national theatre), the Burgtheater Prompt app delivers English surtitles to your smartphone for selected performances.
Incidentally, Gustav Klimt painted some of the ceiling frescoes in the magnificent entrance halls of the Burg (as it’s known here). To see them, take one of the theatre’s tours.
And more?
Finally, as mentioned earlier, find a few more evening activity suggestions right here.