Learn Hardcore German: Wir gehen spontan ins Kino. - We’re going to the cinema on the spur of the moment.

ins is the fixed contraction of in + das. Because Kino is neuter (das Kino), motion toward it gives in das Kino → ins Kino. Compare:

Location: im Kino = in + dem (dative)
Direction: ins Kino = in + das (accusative)

Which case is used after in here, and why?

Accusative. in takes:

Accusative for motion toward a place: Wir gehen ins Kino.
Dative for location: Wir sind im Kino.

Can I say zum Kino instead of ins Kino?

Not if you mean “to go see a movie.” ins Kino is the idiomatic way to say you’re going to the cinema (to watch a film). zum Kino (zu + dem) points to the vicinity or building as a destination without implying you’re going inside to watch something, e.g., Wir gehen zum Kino, um jemanden zu treffen.

Where does spontan belong in the sentence?

Typical placement is in the middle field before the place phrase: Wir gehen spontan ins Kino. You can front it for emphasis: Spontan gehen wir ins Kino. Putting it at the very end (Wir gehen ins Kino spontan) is unnatural in standard German.

Is spontan an adjective or an adverb here?

Here it’s an adverb modifying the verb (gehen) and does not take an ending. As an adjective before a noun, it inflects: ein spontaner Entschluss, eine spontane Idee, ein spontanes Treffen.

How do Germans express the near future? Why not a future tense here?

German normally uses the present tense for near-future plans, often with a time cue or context: Wir gehen später/heute Abend ins Kino. The future with werden (Wir werden ins Kino gehen) is used for predictions, emphasis, or clarity, but sounds heavier and is unnecessary here.

Why use gehen and not fahren?

ins Kino gehen is the idiomatic expression for “go to the movies,” regardless of whether you actually walk or drive. fahren can be used if you specifically want to mention traveling by vehicle: Wir fahren ins Kino, but the set phrase is ins Kino gehen.

How do you pronounce the sentence?

sp at the beginning of a syllable is pronounced like English shp.
IPA (one common standard): [viːɐ̯ ˈɡeːən ʃpɔnˈtaːn ɪns ˈkiːno]
Stress: spontan is stressed on the second syllable: shpon-TAN. Kino is KEE-no.

Can I move parts around for emphasis?

Yes, with verb-second preserved:

Neutral: Wir gehen spontan ins Kino.
Emphasize spontaneity: Spontan gehen wir ins Kino.
Emphasize destination: Ins Kino gehen wir spontan. (stylistic/emphatic)

Does the time–manner–place guideline apply?

Yes. A common order is time → manner → place. Here we have manner (spontan) and place (ins Kino), so spontan before ins Kino fits the pattern. With time added: Wir gehen heute spontan ins Kino.

What’s the difference between ins Kino and im Kino?

ins Kino (accusative): movement into the cinema (to go there).
im Kino (dative): location in the cinema (already there).
Example: Wir gehen ins Kino. Wir sind im Kino.

Why is Kino capitalized?

All nouns are capitalized in German. Kino is a noun (neuter: das Kino, plural: die Kinos).

Is an apostrophe allowed in ins (like in’s)?

No. The correct standard form is ins without an apostrophe.

Are there alternatives to express the same nuance as spontan?

Yes, depending on shade:

kurzfristig (short-notice)
aus einer Laune heraus (on a whim)
Colloquial softeners: mal, eben, halt
Example: Wir gehen mal spontan ins Kino (softer, casual).