Everyman at the Grove
Photograph: Everyman at the Grove
Photograph: Everyman at the Grove

The best outdoor cinema in London

The best places to see open-air movies in the capital this year

Phil de Semlyen
Contributor: Rhian Daly
Advertising

Summer may still feel – and actually be – a way off yet, but it’s never too early for outdoor cinema. Especially if you have warm clothes and access to a personal heater. The year’s first cab off the rank – Peckham and Stratford staple, Rooftop Film Club – is offering exactly that with its new ‘Fireside Loveseats’, with wood heaters to keep the early spring chill at bay as Londoners settle in for big blockbusters and a few old favourites.

Expect more line-up announcements in the month or two ahead – and the likes of
Wicked, Gladiator II, Dune: Part Two, Inside Out 2 and other 2025 hits to be big as the summer season kicks off in earnest. Watch this space for all the latest news and ticket info.

Recommended:

📽️ The best cinemas in London
💰 London’s best cheap cinemas

The top open-air cinemas in London

  • Things to do
  • Film events

‘Weather schmeather’ say the people behind Rooftop Film Club. Stratford and Peckham’s rooftop cinema institutions are firing up the projectors early this year – Peckham’s Bussey Building screen opens on April 10, and Roof East in Stratford from April 17 – and they’re employing a secret weapon against a bit of chilly night air this spring: snuggle power. Two-person ‘fireside loveseats’ come with a personal wood-fired heater and hot beverage (regular, snuggle-free seating is available). On the programme are recent hits like Wicked, Nosferatu, Anora and Moana 2, as well as evergreen classics (La La Land, Notting Hill, 10 Things I Hate About You, When Harry Met Sally…), and a Friends watch party. Tickets come in at £18 for adults and £8 for children, and there’s a 20 percent discount if you book before the end of March.

  • Things to do
  • Film events


Adventure Cinema is where to turn if you’re eager to watch crowdpleasing movies at grand and historic locales around the country this summer. In other words, to watch The Lion King while feeling like one (a king, not a lion). In London, the big screen is going up in Kew Gardens, while Northumberland’s Alnwick Castle (aka Hogwarts in The Philosopher’s Stone), Leeds Castle and Knebworth House are on the line-up elsewhere. Moana 2 and singalong screenings of Wicked are new additions to a movie programme that features plenty of old outdoor faves (Dirty Dancing, Nothing Hill, Pretty Woman etc). It kicks off on May 23 and tickets are on sale now, starting at £9.50.

Recommended
    You may also like
    You may also like
    Advertising