Hollywood’s cream of the crop are arriving at outdoor cinemas across London this summer, bringing the magic of film to rooftops, parks, and even canals. With a massive range of blockbusters, cult classics, and family-friendly films on offer, you’ll find something for everyone at these outdoor cinemas in London. Fingers crossed they can bring some of that LA weather with them now!
1. Rooftop Film Club, Peckham and Stratford
Rooftop Film Club have become a veritable London institution, gracing the rooftops at Roof East and atop the Bussey Building summer after summer. It’s guaranteed to be fantastic once again this Summer, and the line-up of films is excellent as always. The question is will you be able to tear your eyes away from the stunning city views, or the delicious street food and cocktails from the rooftop vendors? You’ll have to head down and find out for yourself! Screenings are already underway, so find out more and grab your tickets here.
2. Summer Screens, Canary Wharf
Over in Canary Wharf, passers-by can enjoy a range of screenings across three massive screens in the area. They’ll be showing the top sporting competitions, such as Wimbledon and the Tour de France, as well as family-friendly Family Film Club nights and Movie Nights with movie favourites such as Bend It Like Beckham, Toy Story, and more. Relax with a picnic lunch at the Summer Screens as you catch all the sporting action or enjoy a cocktail and a balmy evening flick. One of the screens can be found in Cabot Square, with the other two over in Canada Square Park. Screenings are completely free to enjoy – you just have to find a spot to sit! See the full list of screenings here.
3. The Luna Cinema, multiple locations
Having mastered the concept of open-air cinema, The Luna Cinema are back for another summer of movie magic. They’re officially kicking off a summer of screenings under the stars over in St Albans, but they’re quickly making their way down to London. A series of suitably atmospheric London spots have been found for their dreamy outdoor cinema nights, and the sheer range of films is unparalleled – think The Banshees of Inisherin, Romeo + Juliet, The Devil Wears Prada, and plenty more. They kicked off their summer season at Wandsworth Park on June 28, and will subsequently be heading on to the likes of Clapham Common, Westminster Abbey, Kensington Palace, Kew Gardens, and beyond. More info here.
4. Adventure Cinema, multiple locations
Another fantastic addition to this roundup of the best outdoor cinemas in London, Adventure Cinema bills itself as “the UK’s biggest open-air cinema tour.” Hitting over 250 locations across the UK, they have plenty of London dates booked for the summer too. As is par for the course, films run the gamut from Elvis to Dirty Dancing, Top Gun: Maverick and more – in some pretty epic locations. Think medieval castles, country estates – anything but a typical cinematic experience! The London dates kicked off on June 30 at Osterley Park and House. More info here.
5. Screen on the Canal, King’s Cross
So many brilliant outdoor cinemas in London to choose from, but few are free – fortunately this one is! Over at King’s Cross, the frugal film fanatics can check out Screen on the Canal, which is run by Everyman and turns the Granary Square steps into a serene and sun-dappled outdoor cinema. The canalside cinema will screen family-friendly hits and cult cinematic classics from June 22 – August 6. It’s first come, first served though, so an early arrival is suggested! More info here.
6. Pop Up Screens, multiple locations
Not content with a little outdoor cinema, Pop Up Screens are bringing three whole months of outdoor cinema goodness to London this summer. They’ll be running outdoor cinemas all around the capital, from Hammersmith to Crystal Palace, with films such as Dirty Dancing, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Greatest Showman and more. To cap it all off, thanks to a partnership with everyone’s favourite collectable dessert-in-a-ramekin, Gü, you’ll even get a free sweet treat. More info here.
7. Vision Cinema, Woolwich
Woolwich Arsenal Riverside’s Vision Cinema will be keeping attendees entertained with screenings of films that range from Pretty Woman to John Wick: Chapter 4, and even Cocaine Bear. They’re promising “the ultimate outdoor cinema experience”, which is a lot to live up to… More here.
8. Outdoor Cinema at the Barbican (screenings from August 23 – September 3)
Set within the spectacular Barbican in Central London, the Outdoor Cinema is showing a rather more curated selection of films. They’re the kind of outdoor cinema screenings that someone with a mubi subscription, rather than Netflix, would go to (in the best possible way). Films include the likes of Andrei Tarkovsky’s Mirror, Martin Scorses’s legendary concert film The Last Waltz, the cult documentary about the New York ballroom scene Paris Is Burning, and more Find out more here.
Also published on Medium.