Summer Series: Where to find Sydney’s best outdoor cinemas

Get your picnic rug out and a choc top in hand because movies under the stars are back. Here’s where to find the best outdoor cinema experiences Sydney has to offer.

It’s never a bad time to catch a flick but there’s something unbeatable about setting up the big screen under the stars in summer.

Outdoor cinemas are a summertime classic, with families, friends and everyone in between able to make the most of daylight savings to enjoy the best the silver screen has to offer.

But if you’re not sure where to go to enjoy a rom-com, thriller, blockbuster, or a tear-jerker in the great outdoors, we’ve got you covered.

SKYLINE DRIVE-INS BLACKTOWN

Cinema goers watching a film from their car at the 'Skyline Drive' Drive-In Cinema in Blacktown. Picture: AAP Image

Sydney’s last original drive-in cinema has been entertaining families in Western Sydney for 58 years- and it’s the perfect place to sit back and go back in time this summer.

The Blacktown site screens both classic movies and the latest film releases all year round across two big screens, so film buffs can sit under the stars and view whatever tickles their fancy. Tune your car’s FM radio or a boombox stereo to the correct radio frequency, put some blankets in the back of a ute, pop the car boot in an SUV or recline your seats- you can even stick around for a double feature.

And for when your stomach grumbles, an old-school American diner is the place to sate any cravings for classic movie drinks and snacks.

WHERE: Cricketers Arms Rd, Blacktown

SUNSET CINEMA

Boasting two sites across Sydney with a third on the way, there’s no excuse not to head out and catch a movie during the cinema’s 14-week season.

Chill out on socially-distanced bean bags in front of the North Sydney or Wollongong cinema screens- or in Canberra, if you’re headed to the ACT while the weather’s warm.

There’s a snack stand for all of your food and drink cravings as well as a fully-stocked bar- but no BYO is permitted.

First film of the night starts at sundown, so you can enjoy the evening lighting and the adventures that get underway on-screen up until March 16 when the curtain falls.

WHERE: North Sydney Oval, 5 Fig Tree La, North Sydney

OR

Wollongong Botanic Garden, Murphys Ave, Kieraville

OR

Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross St, Acton

MOONLIGHT CINEMA

Moonlight Cinema in Sydney’s Centennial Park welcomes mutts and movie lovers alike.

Ever wanted to bring your pooch to the cinema? Dogs are welcome at this park-based pop-up cinema, which has set up shop in both Centennial Park and Western Sydney Parklands this summer.

Fresh releases will play alongside a raft of Christmas classics, as well as the odd throwback flick for your viewing pleasure.

Bring along your picnic rug and pick the best spot on the grass- you can BYO bubbles or whatever beverage you like.

They even have different tiers of luxury like a standard cinema, so you can live it up with waitservice and top shelf treats in the best seats in the house- but there’s plenty of food trucks for all budgets and an onsite bar.

Centennial Parklands’ cinema runs from December 9 to April 3, and the Western Sydney cinema from December 16 to January 30.

WHERE: Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Park

(on the corner of Carrington Dr and Broome Ave) Paddington

OR

The Amphitheatre, Lizard Log in Western Sydney Parklands, Cowpasture Rd Abbotsbury

WESTPAC OPENAIR

Mrs Macquaries Point will again host Westpac OpenAir this year.

The screen or the view? You won’t know where to look if you pull up a folding chair at Sydney Harbour.

Slated for set up at Mrs Macquarie’s Point, with views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge as a backdrop, cinephiles can feast their eyes both on and off screen on a warm summer’s night in January.

Both blockbusters and independent flicks will be showing, so you’ll be spoiled for choice with special preview or premiere screenings of a few films too.

While outside food and drinks aren’t allowed, you can peruse the picnic menu or buy a movie night box from Mexican BBQ set up Kitchen by Mike.

Local DJs will set the mood for your night under the stars as screenings run from January 6 to February 22.

WHERE: Mrs Macquarie’s Point, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney

LANEWAY CINEMA

The Laneway Cinema in The Rocks makes a great night out for the budget-conscious.

If you can only afford the cheap seats, look no further- here the flicks are free.

Every Wednesday night through until February 23 you can flop down on a beanbag at Atherden St, The Rocks and sail away onscreen for an hour or two.

A bunch of different films of all genres and timestamps will be playing this summer, so you can catch up on any you’ve missed over the years- from Aussie classics like The Castle to animated kids’ feature Surf’s Up.

There’s a whole bunch of options for a feed too, whether you’re feeling street food, Thai, Italian or a burger.

Each film starts at 6:30pm sharp, no booking necessary- just turn up and enjoy the show.

WHERE: The Rocks, Sydney

FLICKERFEST

This not-to-be-missed 10-day cinematic event will present some of the world’s best short films on the big screen, with the country’s most famed beach as its backdrop.

If independent films played at Sydney’s most famous beach are more your scene, then Flickerfest is probably for you.

Bondi Beach will play host to international film festival Flickerfest this January, allowing you to watch a host of shorts on an outdoor big screen.

Now in its 31st year, two hundred mini films will be screened in two-hour long sessions, including documentaries, comedies, dramas and everything in between.

The pop-up festival will also have a beachside bar with plenty of food and drinks, and you could spot the stars of the screen themselves.

Flickerfest will run from January 21 to 30.

WHERE: North Bondi Park, Bondi Beach

WONDERDOME

OK, technically it’s not outdoors- but there’s now a way to take cinema to a new degree this summer.

A pop up 360 degree theatre dome set up for the first time in Sydney, Wonderdome combines art, film and music together into a virtual reality experience- and you won’t even need any goggles.

Wonderdome will screen a series of top documentaries to provoke the mind and delight the senses. From flying dinosaurs to climate change to kids’ features, there’s something for everyone.

There’s plenty to choose from for viewing snacks too, from hot cinema food to a drinks bar with beverages for all ages.

You can buy tickets for this hemispherical cinematic experience until January 30.

WHERE: 122 Lang Rd, Moore Park NSW 2021