What do OV, OmU, or DF mean?

A guide to cinema screening types in Germany

German cinemas use a set of abbreviations to describe how a film is shown — in its original language, dubbed, or with subtitles. Here is what each one means.

OV — Originalversion: original audio, no subtitles

The film is shown in its original language, without any subtitles. If the movie was made in French, you hear French. This is the purest way to experience a film as its creators intended.

OmU — Original mit Untertiteln: original audio, German subtitles

The film is in its original language with German subtitles. This is the most common format for non-German films in independent and arthouse cinemas. Perfect if you want to hear the original performance while following along in German.

OmeU — Original mit englischen Untertiteln: original audio, English subtitles

The film is in its original language with English subtitles. Particularly useful for international audiences who don't speak German. Some cinemas in larger cities offer this format regularly.

DF — Deutsche Fassung: German audio, no subtitles

The film's audio is in German. This can mean a foreign film dubbed into German, or simply a German film in its original language. DF is the default format in most mainstream German cinemas, especially for blockbusters and family films.

KinoNow lets you filter screenings by language and version, so you can easily find the format you prefer at a cinema near you.