Eye Filmmuseum: watch, preserve and make films yourself
From early cameras to thousands of films and posters, the permanent presentation Wat is film? offers an accessible route into Eye’s collection beside the IJ.
On the northern bank of the IJ, Eye Filmmuseum stands as a white, angular landmark across from Amsterdam Central Station. There is more inside than a programme of screenings: Eye preserves films and objects, stages temporary exhibitions and has a permanent presentation about moving images. First-time visitors can begin with Wat is film?, on the lower floor and throughout the building.
The collection explains why a permanent presentation belongs here. Eye holds more than 63,000 films, from classics to cult titles. The oldest film in the collection dates from 1896. The holdings began to take shape in 1946, when Eye’s first predecessor was founded. Alongside films, the museum preserves posters, equipment and archives. On the permanent presentation page, Eye lists more than 64,000 unique film posters and 95,000 production stills; those are separate counts from the number of films.
In Wat is film? visitors can see how early cameras and projectors work, watch excerpts and make a flipbook or animated film themselves. Small private cinemas offer a choice of hundreds of films. Eye stresses that no single person invented cinema: several technical advances contributed to the camera and projector.
Eye also presents Ulrich Seidl – Über das Leben, die Liebe und den Tod, featuring work by the Austrian filmmaker, photographer and theatre maker. It is scheduled from 19 September 2026 through 31 January 2027. The permanent display can be visited with a cinema or exhibition ticket; separate ticket conditions apply to the temporary exhibition.
For a visit on 16 October, Eye says its permanent exhibition is accessible Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm with a film or exhibition ticket. It may also open on Mondays during school holidays. The temporary exhibition space has the same Tuesday to Sunday hours, except during installation or dismantling. The museum is at IJpromenade 1. From Amsterdam Central Station, take the free ferry to Buiksloterweg, then walk a few more minutes.
A standard exhibition ticket costs €16.50. The listed price for students is €11.50; entry is free for children up to and including 17 and for Museumkaart holders. Eye says there is no supplement for the current temporary exhibition. At the box office, payment is by debit or credit card only. Children under twelve must be accompanied inside Eye by someone aged at least eighteen.
According to Eye, the entire building is wheelchair accessible, with lifts between floors. For the permanent presentation, the museum also offers guided tours in Dutch Sign Language and sign-language videos that visitors can open via QR codes. If you mainly want to explore the collection, plan a relaxed visit around Wat is film?; if you want to combine a screening with the temporary exhibition, compare the two programmes and their tickets for the same day.