Like barbecues, night markets, and the Big Bash, outdoor cinemas are a core part of our Australian summer — and Sydney is positively overflowing with open-air screenings to be enjoyed. From cult classics to hot new releases, Sydney’s outdoor cinemas are serving up a veritable feast of films in summer 2025, with showings all over town. To make sure you don’t miss a moment of movie magic, we’ve rounded up the best spots in town to catch a film this summer.
1. Mov’In Outdoor Bed Cinema, Barangaroo
Following a successful debut last year, the Mov’In Bed Cinema is returning to Barangaroo’s Harbour Park, transforming it into a breezy urban beach. With 280 tons of soft white sand, 160 luxurious queen and king-sized beds and cosy pillows and blankets, it’s the perfect blend of comfort while soaking up the fresh Sydney air. The cinema throws a 15-metre, 4K screen into the bargain too. The Mov’In Outdoor Bed Cinema will run until March 2025, with upcoming screenings including Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Gladiator 2, Wicked, and Christmas classics like Elf, Love Actually, and more. Read more here.
📍 Harbour Park, Barangaroo NSW 2021
2. Sunset Cinema, North Sydney and Bondi
Sunset Cinema is back for another season at North Sydney Oval and Dolphin Court. Film screenings include everything from festive favourites like The Holiday, Love Actually, and Home Alone to the latest blockbusters like Wicked, Gladiator 2, and Mufasa: The Lion King. Add in the on-site snack bar and an ocean of bean bags and loungers, and you’ll be in film dreamland here. Sunset Cinema will run in Bondi until December 21 and in North Sydney until March 15, 2025. See tickets and more info here.
📍 North Sydney Oval, 2 Fig Tree Lane, NSW 2060
📍Dolphin Court, Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
3. Westpac OpenAir Cinema, RBG
Few outdoor cinemas capture the imagination quite like the Westpac OpenAir Cinema — after all, the screen rises up out of the harbour waters as the film commences. From January 9, 2025, to February 18, you can drink in views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and more, all whilst the action unfolds on screen. The full program has yet to be announced, but you can expect a stellar mix of classics and the latest releases. Tickets sell out quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on the website for when they’re released. Full details here.
📍 Mrs Macquaries Point, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney NSW 2000.
4. Moonlight Cinema, Centennial Parklands
Now into its 28th season, Moonlight Cinema remains a long-standing favourite of Sydney film lovers. Centennial Parklands is the setting for this summer cinema, and it boasts one of the longer runs amongst the competition: the final screening isn’t until March 30, just before the autumn chill starts to creep in. Bring a picnic blanket – or hire a bean bag! – and make use of extras like an on-site Aperol Spritz bar. The summer 2024/2025 screenings include titles like Mean Girls, The Substance, The Muppet Christmas Carol and more. You can find out more here.
📍 Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Park, Broome Avenue, Paddington NSW 2021.
5. Laneway Cinema, The Rocks
Once a week, The Rocks plays host to a free film screening as Atherden Street is turned into a cosy open-air cinema. Wednesdays are the dates for your diary, and December offerings include: Planes, Trains and Automobiles, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Settle into a bean bag or deck chair – preferably with something delicious from the on-site eateries in hand – and enjoy! Entry is free with no booking required, more info here.
📍 Atherden Street, The Rocks, NSW 2000.