During the warmer months, Melbourne’s long days and balmy nights make for the perfect backdrop for an outdoor cinema. This is exactly why our fair city has so many of them. From 1950s-style drive-ins to outdoor rooftop cinemas scattered across the suburbs, Melbourne has plenty of locations to catch an al fresco film – these are just a few of our favourites.
Love the comfort of an air-conditioned movie theatre? These are Melbourne’s best cinemas. Interested in a drive-in cinema instead? Here are the best ones in Melbourne.
Melbourne’s open-air cinemas
Photograph: Lido website
1. Lido on the Roof
Film Outdoor cinema
Catch a flick with a side of rooftop views at Lido Cinema’s rooftop cinema, which hosts the latest films, themed screenings and classic flicks. This summer, catch all the new releases as well as classics like 10 Things I Hate About You and The Big Lebowski. The rooftop bar opens one hour before showtime for a pre-session tipple.
Photograph: Supplied
2. Palace Penny Lane Cinema
Cinemas Moonee Ponds
Calling all serious cinephiles, Palace Cinemas has announced that an exciting new entertainment complex will launch in Moonee Ponds on December 21. It will feature 11 indoor screens, state-of-the-art 4K laser projection, fully reclining leather lounges and an extensive menu. But the cherry on top of this delightful cinematic sundae is the rooftop area, which will boast spectacular views of the suburb and an outdoor screen that will show everything from new releases to cult classics and kid-friendly favourites. Guess that’s your summer sorted, right?
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Photograph: Supplied
3. Dromana 3 Drive In
Film Seaford
Want a side of beachside charm with your cinema experience? Dromana’s drive-in cinema has been screening movies on its four screens since 1962. These days you can grab food from the on-site diner and watch a selection of classic flicks and new blockbusters.
Photograph: Supplied
4. Moonlight Cinema
There’s nothing quite like a film under the stars in the evening cool of the Botanic Gardens. Settle back with friends and family for a movie and BYO picnic on a balmy summer night, or let one of the food trucks take care of the nibbles for you.
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5. Coburg Drive-In
Film Coburg North
Make like a teenager of the 1950s and lie back on your car windscreen at one of Melbourne’s favourite drive-in cinema. You can roll on in, order your food from the retro diner via text message and enjoy brand-new flicks.
Photograph: Palace Cinemas
6. Pentridge Open-Air Cinema
Film
Pentridge Prison, once home to crims like Ned Kelly, Chopper Reed and Squizzy Taylor, as well as luminaries like Indigenous actor Uncle Jack Charles and anti-nuclear campaigner John Dixon-Jenkins, has recently been turned into a retail and hospitality precinct. There is a 15-screen Palace Cinemas inside the new complex, but Palace often stages something of a jailbreak, bringing the big screen outdoors for summer.
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Photograph: Supplied/Rooftop Cinema
7. Rooftop Cinema
Cinemas Melbourne
The delights of Curtin House are myriad and storeyed, but in summer it’s worth making a beeline all the way to the top, when the literally named Rooftop Bar becomes the Rooftop Cinema. The venue shows the latest releases, cult favourites and classic films, and why would you ever want to be stuck in a dark theatre when you can watch a movie against the gorgeous backdrop of Melbourne’s skyline? Rooftop Cinema is yet to reveal its plans for a 2023 season, but watch this space.
Article originally posted on: https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/film/the-best-outdoor-cinemas-in-melbourne
