The Luna Cinema will once again be taking over venues for another summer of cinema under the stars. What started with a viewing of Some Like It Hot in Dulwich Park 15 years ago has become the largest open air cinema brand in the country. This year it’s back like it never left with over 150 screenings at more than 40 stunning locations up and down the country. London has 14 of those locations this year. Screenings in the capital are taking place from now until September 18th, with dates and films varying by venue.
Don’t think because these are open-air that venues have been skimped on either. You will have the chance to watch classics alongside some of Hollywood’s most recent blockbusters in some truly exquisite locations. Amongst returning venues from previous years like Westminster Abbey and Hampton Court Palace, are new locations like Lincoln’s Inn which is situated in a beautiful private gardens in Holborn. Across the summer the range of films are just as diverse as the locations you can watch them in. Whether you want to catch the latest Bond flick, sing your heart out to a musical, or have a family day out with some Disney magic you’re covered.
With that in mind and so many venues to choose from, we’ve rounded up our favourite picks to help get you in the mood. We’re spotlighting The Luna Cinema locations we think you’d regret not heading down to whilst you have the chance. For the full lineup and more information head over to www.thelunacinema.com/cinema/. So without further adieu, here are our top 4 picks.
Old Royal Naval College (July 8 – 10)
Kicking things off, with screenings available through this weekend, is the historic Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. With such an impressive setting it’s only right that the films on offer match this. If you head down tonight you can sink yourself into some popcorn under the stars to watch Moulin Rouge. Or if that’s a bit of a push, prepare yourself for even more classics that are following through the weekend. You can catch West Side Story and Labyrinth on Saturday and Sunday respectively. You’ll probably be wanting to do your vocal exercises before getting down to those ones. Tickets are available here.
Westminster Abbey (July 26 – 31)
Next up is a location that helps define the London skyline, Westminster Abbey. Home to royal weddings, coronations, and over 800 years of history it will also play home to some icons of cinema this July. With Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone having already sold out you better get a move on. Music fans this is the venue for you. West Side Story, Bohemian Rhapsody, Dirty Dancing, and Labyrinth (it has David Bowie in okay) are all showing as well as Baz Luhrmann’s renowned Romeo + Juliet. If this sounds up your street, hurry and get your tickets here.
Kensington Palace (August 3 – 7)
The Luna Cinema is staying with the royal venues as next we have Kensington Palace. In our opinion, it’s getting one of the strongest lineups of recent films out of the London venues. The royal residence is playing host to No Time To Die, the Lady Gaga led House of Gucci, the global phenomenon The Greatest Showman, Rocketman and Ghostbusters (the original). You can’t deny that this is a lineup that you wouldn’t want to miss, there’s something for everyone and you can swipe yourself some tickets here.
Kew Gardens (August 31 – September 4)
Rounding things off in a big way for The Luna Cinema is Kew Gardens. Despite having only a 5 day run it is boasting probably the most screenings and most diverse set of screenings of the London venues. It is going very family friendly with the offerings and for some viewings, your ticket to the screening also includes entry into Kew Gardens. For the kids (and big kids) there’s Aladdin, Moana, Encanto, The Gruffalo, and many more on offer. If those aren’t quite your flavour however there’s also screenings of Dune, Jurrasic Park, Spiderman: No Way Home, and No Time To Die. Seriously it might have come last on the list but that’s just because of the date, this is our top pick for The Luna Cinema’s 2022 summer schedule.
As mentioned these were just our top 4 picks from The Luna Cinema’s London venues this summer. There are plenty of other excellently curated London venues showing films from now until mid September that you can head down to if you’re looking for something we haven’t covered. Be sure to check out the full lineup across summer here.