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 2024, 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
An outdoor cinema with a twist: Mov’In’s summer cinema has turned Barangaroo’s Harbour Park into a new city beach, with 280 tons of white sand and 150 queen-size beds sitting atop the sandy beach complete with pillows and blankets. It’s all the comfort of watching a film from the comfort of your bed, but gets you out in the fresh air of a Sydney summer and throws a 15-metre, 4K screen into the bargain too. The Mov’In Outdoor Bed Cinema is expected to be here until April 2024, and some of the upcoming screenings we’re most excited for include John Wick 4, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Top Gun: Maverick, and the ever-excellent Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Read more here.
📍 Harbour Park, Barangaroo NSW 2021.
2. Sunset Cinema, North Sydney
North Sydney Oval has been transformed into one of Sydney’s best outdoor cinemas, from now until March 9, 2024. Currently, Sunset Cinema is in the midst of a whopping four-month season, and films such as Wonka, Next Goal Wins, Anyone But You, and Poor Things are on the schedule for the coming weeks. Add in the on-site snack bar and an ocean of bean bags and loungers, and you’ll be in film dreamland here. See tickets and more info here.
📍 North Sydney Oval, 2 Fig Tree Lane, NSW 2060.
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. Until February 20, 2024, you can drink in views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and more, all whilst the action unfolds on screen. The Colour Purple, new Nic Cage film Dream Scenario, the heartbreaking Past Lives, and last year’s smash hit Barbie all remain on the 2024 lineup, but tickets tend to sell pretty fast, so grab them whilst you can. Full details here.
📍 Mrs Macquaries Point, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney NSW 2000.
4. Moonlight Cinema, Paddington
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 24, 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 remaining screenings include new releases like Saltburn, The Iron Claw, and Wish, and there’s a week of romantic films around Valentine’s Day; think Cinderella Story, The Notebook, and 10 Things I Hate About You. 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 three films remain in Laneway Cinema‘s 2024 offering: on January 17 it’s time for The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, whilst a pair of comedy capers follow afterwards with Identity Thief (January 24) and We’re The Millers (January 31). 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.