FAQ

WHAT IS CINEFILE?

Founded in 2018, Cinefile is the trilingual Swiss film platform for a cinephile audience in the digital age.  We operate a selective film streaming service and the most comprehensive cinema guide in Switzerland. All important new releases in cinemas and streaming are presented and commented on in our weekly newsletter.

The streaming selection ranges from the latest cinema hits to classics and is based on the motto "Only Good Movies": we deliberately limit the range to a maximum of 1000 entertainment and arthouse films and series and are constantly updating it. The selection team only chooses what it thinks is worth watching. All films are available in HD and original version with freely selectable subtitles, some also in German or French dubbed versions.

The complete range is available with the free Basic registration for individual rental (CHF 8.00 per film) or in the Light and Take 1/2/3/4 subscriptions. The Light subscription includes 2 films per half-year, the Take subscriptions 1-4 films per month or 6-24 per half-year with discounts of between 20 and 50 percent. The subscriptions are automatically renewed, but can be upgraded, downgraded or canceled at any time at the end of the respective subscription period.

The cinefile cinema guide offers a complete overview of the Swiss cinema program with all the important information and reservation links for all films, including arthouse cinemas, film museums and open airs.

All cinema and streaming films can be saved and rated in a personal watchlist.

CAN YOU STREAM CINEFILE ON THE BIG SCREEN?

All movies can be streamed from laptops and PCs using the Chrome browser via Chromecast or Safari via AirPlay to Google and Apple TVs or media players.

Free TV apps are currently available for Samsung devices manufactured in 2022 or later (operating system: Tizen 6ff) as well as TVs, projectors, and TV boxes with the AndroidTV operating system (including Sony, Philips, almost all Swisscom boxes, Salt Android boxes, Green TV boxes, Google media players, Strong, etc.).

Installing the Samsung TV app: Click on the search function (magnifying glass icon) on your TV's home screen, enter the keyword “cinefile” and download the app.

Installing the AndroidTV app: In the “Apps” section of your device, click on the Google Play Store app icon, enter the keyword “cinefile,” and download the app.

First login: All TV apps display a QR code when used for the first time, which you can photograph with your smartphone. You will then be logged in automatically.

Additional TV apps for LG and older Samsung devices have already undergone technical testing by the companies and should be activated shortly. (As of 1/29/26)

Android mobile app: A dedicated app is available in the Google Play Store for mobile phones with the Android operating system. Unfortunately, Chromecast cannot currently be used in this app when streaming movies. To do this, please use the Cinefile mobile website, which you can access via the pre-installed Chrome browser on your device and save as a home button. As an alternative, we strongly recommend our AndroidTV app, as it makes renting and viewing movies much easier.

WHAT does the cinefile newsletter offer?

The free newsletter from cinefile provides free weekly information about our new releases and all important movie premieres with concise short reviews. With more than 14,500 subscribers, it is the largest weekly film newsletter in Switzerland.

HOW CAN I PAY ON CINEFILE?

You can pay for all individual rentals and subscriptions by credit card or TWINT.

HOW CAN YOU GIVE CINEFILE VOUCHERS AS A GIFT?

We offer online vouchers and high-quality gift cards for our Take 1-4 subscriptions.

CAN THE FILMS ALSO BE PURCHASED AND DOWNLOADED AND WATCHED OFFLINE?

All films can also be purchased and then streamed as often as you like. Downloads and offline viewing should be available from summer 2025.

CAN I INTERRUPT THE STREAMING?

Yes, you can interrupt the streaming of any movie as often as you like and also watch entire movies several times. However, there is a restriction that each film is available for a maximum of 7 days after rental and 48 hours from the first playback. When renting entire seasons of a series, the loan period is 30 days per season.

CAN YOU ALSO USE CINEFILE ABROAD?

Yes, as long as you have deposited the Swiss payment method TWINT with us. Exceptions to this rule are noted with the films in question .