EYE Filmmuseum in Amsterdam is located on the northern bank of the IJ opposite central station. Book EYE Film Museum tickets here
With its sleek modern design, the building is a wonderful public space for Amsterdam – housing film-themed exhibitions, 4 cinema screens, an auditorium and a bar-restaurant. It replaced the old film museum which was in Vondelpark.
The building was opened by then Queen Beatrix in April 2012 and was designed by Austrian architecture firm Delugan Meissl. The low-rise geometric structure is covered by white aluminium tiles which gives it a striking, stand-out feel on the waterfront.
The venue is the headquarters of EYE Film Institute, an umbrella organisation that administers all aspects of film culture in the Netherlands and holds a world renowned collection of over 50,000 films.
The EYE Film building is freely open to visitors. It houses 4 cinemas (with 620 seats in total) which show mainly classic, art-house and retrospective films. There is a large area on the upper floor for temporary exhibitions which run a few times a year and generally last for 2-3 months.
There is a Bar Restaurant (open daily until 2200) with great views of the water and an outdoor terrace. The auditorium area can sometimes be used for live music.
The EYE Film basement area houses a permanent What Is Film? exhibition which displays items marking significant moments in cinema history. The collection has various film-making equipment including the legendary 35mm Mitchell camera which was invented in 1917.
There are special pods where you can sit in and view film footage on Cinemascope screens; a room surrounded by film fragments and a green screen area where you can make your own film.
To visit What Is Film you need to show a standard exhibition or film ticket. Note, free entry is sometimes given to What Is Film when EYE is between temporary exhibitions.
There are various activities available for children including a puzzle tour and a video tour.
EYE has workrooms for students and hosts various educational activities.
A shop is found near the front entrance desk. EYE Film also has function rooms available for hire.
It is certainly worthy of a visit whether you are a film or architecture fan or just want to come over for a drink and soak up the atmosphere.
Next door to EYE Film Amsterdam is the 80m high A’DAM Toren, a multi-purpose building which includes the A’DAM Lookout panorama deck.
Check out our guide to other Amsterdam cinemas
Eye Study is part of the separate Collection Centre located nearby at Asterweg 26. It offers the opportunity to study at the Eyefilm historical archive which has thousands of books, digitised films, festival catalogues and industry publications.
There are a limited number of desks and media booths available at Eye Study, which should be booked in advance. It is open 1100-1600 (Tue-Thu).
EYE Film Essential Info
| Opening Times | EYE is open daily. Exhibitions: 1000-1900, box office: 1000-2200 (Sun-Thu), 1000-2300 (Fri-Sat). |
| Admission Prices (2024) | Entry to main exhibition costs €15, FREE for children 0-17, Museumkaart and I Amsterdam City Card holders. Special exhibitions can attract a small supplement. Book EYE Film Museum tickets here A standard cinema film ticket costs €12.50. I Amsterdam City Card holders pay €10, children 0-11 pay €7.50. Entry to the What Is Film? permanent exhibition is available to anyone with a valid cinema or main exhibition ticket. |
| Getting There | EYE Film is located on the north bank of the IJ. From behind Amsterdam Central Station jump on the free ferry (runs 24 hours) to Buiksloterweg just across the water – from there EYE is a short walk away. |
EYE Filmmuseum, IJpromenade 1, 1031 KT Amsterdam
T: +31(0)20 589 1400, eyefilm.nl
Last updated 12 January 2024. This article was first published in 2013 and has been regularly updated.
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