Learn French: Je vais au cinéma de temps en temps. - I go to the cinema from time to time.

Yes, they are very similar! Both express that you do something occasionally. de temps en temps literally means 'from time to time', while parfois means 'sometimes'. You can use either one in this context.

Why is de temps en temps at the end of the sentence instead of right after the verb vais?

Short frequency words like souvent (often) usually go right after the verb. However, longer phrases like de temps en temps are normally placed at the very beginning or the very end of a sentence. Saying De temps en temps, je vais au cinéma is also completely correct!

Why is it au cinéma instead of à le cinéma?

In French, when the word à (to or at) meets the masculine word le (the), they blend together into the new word au. Because cinéma is a masculine noun, we say au cinéma. You will never see à le used together.

How do I pronounce the phrase de temps en temps?

Usually, the s at the end of temps is silent. However, in this specific phrase, you make a spoken connection called a liaison between the first temps and the word en. You pronounce the s like a Z, so it flows together as 'de tahn zahn tahn'. The s on the final temps stays silent.