This Summer’s Best Outdoor Cinemas
Remember the iconic scene in Steven Spielberg’s classic fantasy film E.T.? The one where Elliott flies past the moon on his bicycle with the gentle alien in his pannier? It made us gasp at the time; it was cute, fantastical and every kid’s dream.
Released in 1982, it’s a film that stands the test of time and worth seeing again and again. But, imagine how much better the experience would be if you could watch it on an outdoor screen with a backdrop of real stars.
It’s all possible, thanks to Everyman cinema who are just one of a league of brands hosting outdoor cinema screenings this summer. You can also catch Dirty Dancing on a south London rooftop, and a host of classics being screened at London palaces.
Catch E.T. within a walled garden in Hertfordshire, at the swanky The Grove hotel, an established A-List haunt long-since a favourite for Belle for lazy lunches and long weekends. Just 17 miles from London, The Grove’s enclosed space is filled with comfy beanbags and guests receive a complimentary blanket and personal headsets to hear the film. Like every good cinema there’s popcorn, ice cream, old-fashioned sweets and soft drinks for sale, with the added bonus of a pop-up Tanqueray gin tent, and a bar selling vodka slushies.
Matinees begin at 3.30pm, with films like Matilda, Mary Poppins Returns the Jungle Book and Peter Rabbit. Evening screenings start at 8.00pm with a selection of classics like Jurassic Park, E.T. and Mrs Doubtfire and more recent titles like The Greatest Showman, Black Panther and Bohemian Rhapsody, while late night thrillers include The Blair Witch Project and Gone Girl, or romances like A Star is Born: all starting at 10.45pm.
If you’re keen to stay a little closer to town, check out Rooftop Film Club who are hosting films from south to east London with pop-ups at the top of The Bussey Building in Peckham, Roof East, Stratford and Queen of Hoxton, Shoreditch. Catch movies like Dirty Dancing, Toy Story 4 and Rocketman: Sing-along.
The Luna Cinema can be found outdoors in various London palaces and parks like Dulwich, Battersea and Wandsworth, and the chi-chi settings of Kensington and Hampton Court Palaces. Watch classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Labyrinth, or recents like Stan & Ollie and The Favourite.
Leave your plastic poncho at home if you’re heading for Backyard Cinema in Camden. It has a roof that shields from summer downpours, but in anticipation of a scorcher, they’ve created an L.A. summer beach party vibe. All at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm, north London. Specialising in sing-alongs, but not exclusively, choose from Grease, The Greatest Showman, and Spiceworld: The Movie. Their Winter Night Garden screenings in Wandsworth, start in September.
And if you’re determined to stay inside, head to the luxury Courthouse Hotel in Shoreditch which hosts a magnificent CineBrunch every Sunday. Dine on a three-course brunch, add an hour and a half of free-flowing prosecco, then take your seats for a classic movie in the stunning 180-seat cinema. The go-to for comfort and decadence, CineBrunch makes for an unforgettable Sunday outing.
Whatever you’re watching, wherever you’re headed, you’re spoilt for choice this summer.
Find out more…
The Grove Hotel: cinema packages, book online: https://www.thegrove.co.uk/offers/food-drink/supper-and-cinema/
Rooftop Film Club: https://rooftopfilmclub.com/LONDON/
The Luna Cinema: https://thelunacinema.com/2019
Backyard Cinema: https://www.backyardcinema.co.uk/
