When the weather’s good it’s a shame to be sat inside a dark cinema rather than laid out on the grass with some bevvies to hand, so it’s a good thing that outdoor cinemas are pitching up in London again this summer for another season of al fresco film screenings. From breezy rooftops to historic backdrops, these are the places to be watching films this season. Popcorn at the ready…
The Luna Cinema – the UK’s top open-air cinema is back for another season, running screenings at over 30 locations around the country from June to October. London venues include Kew Gardens, Dulwich Park, Kensington Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Westminster Abbey, Clapham Common and more, with films like Everything, Everywhere All At Once, Elvis, Paddington, Moulin Rouge! and Clueless (among many others). Get tickets here.
Pop-Up Screens – the roving Pop-Up Screens will be popping up in Ravenscourt Park, Beckenham Place Park, Bexley’s Hall Place, Bishops Park, Crystal Palace Park, Brockley’s Hillyfields, Sydenham’s Mayow Park, Hither Green’s Manor House Gardens, and Greenwich Peninsula’s Central Park from July to September. Bring a blanket and kick back for films like Elvis, Top Gun: Maverick, Pretty Woman, Grease, and The Greatest Showman. Get tickets here.
Rooftop Film Club – screens are heading back on the roofs this summer as Rooftop Film Club returns for another season from May. Roof East in Stratford and Peckham’s Bussey Building are showing films like Rye Lane, Pretty Woman, The Big Lebowski, Mean Girls, The Menu, Fight Club, and Mamma Mia!. Get tickets here.
Adventure Cinema – the UK’s biggest touring outdoor cinema is back until September, hitting 70 venues up and down the country with London stops at Osterly Park, Charlton House & Garden and Ham House & Garden. The screenings include Top Gun: Maverick, Dirty Dancing and The Greatest Showman. Get tickets here.
Merchant Square – the open-air screen is back in Paddington Basin screening films for free from May to September. Hit the pop-up bar, pull up a deck chair and settle in for films like Inside Out, Anchorman, The Devil Wears Prada and Dodgeball. Get more info here.
Barbican – the Barbican’s outdoor cinema series is back for 2023 with a programme of handpicked favourites. Taking place in the centre’s remarkable Sculpture Court, the screenings include the likes of Paris is Burning, Rear Window, Amazing Grace, Black Panther, Singin’ in the Rain, The Last Waltz and more. Tickets are £18 and include a free Campari-based cocktail – get yours here.
Screen on the Canal – if you love lounging around beside London’s canals this is the outdoor cinema for you. Brought to King’s Cross by Everyman, the Screen on the Canal will be showing movies from June to August, with the likes of Roald Dahl’s Matilda, Grease, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Paddington, Roman Holiday, Dreamgirls and Casablanca on the programme. Get tickets here.
Movies on the River – Float down the Thames whilst watching a film with London’s only floating cinema, which is back for another season this August. A range of new releases and old faves, including Aftersun, Crazy Rich Asians, Dirty Dancing, Rye Lane, Bridesmaids, M3GAN, The Big Lebowksi and Everything Everywhere All At Once, are on the programme, so hop aboard. Get tickets here.