The beloved Moonlight Cinema is coming back to Melbourne for its 31st summer season. Brush off your picnic blankets, breathe in the balmy night air, and look forward to box office blockbusters and family favourites. This outdoor cinema event is playing at Central Lawn in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens from Wednesday, December 2 to Sunday, April 11.
Moonlight Cinema
For its first month, get ready for a blockbuster program of new releases, starting with the highly anticipated film, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Join Haymitch (Joseph Zada) on his gruelling experience of the games, 24 years before the first film.
Also on the line-up is psychological thriller Verity, starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Harnett, in an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. For more book adaptations, try a fresh take on Sense and Sensibility, with Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles. Get a little unhinged with Wicker, when a fisherwoman (Olivia Colman) makes herself a husband (Alexander Skarsgård) out of wicker. For more laughs, check out Focker-In-Law, starring Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro and Ariana Grande.
In the lead-up to Christmas, you can expect plenty of festive favourites, such as Love Actually, The Polar Express and Home Alone, along with the new release Ebenezer.
The kids will have plenty to enjoy, with Disney’s Hexed opening on Boxing Day, and a preview screening of The Cat in the Hat on December 30.
For the full program in Melbourne, click here.
What else can you look forward to?
Gates open 90 minutes before each film, giving you plenty of time to soak in the atmosphere. Each Moonlight Cinema location has their own kitchen and a licensed bar, so you can grab hot food, snacks or drinks before the show. The kitchen closes 15 minutes before the show starts.
General admission is unreserved, so arrive early for the most choice, and bring along a picnic rug or some cushions.
If you’d like to upgrade your experience, opt for the Connoisseur Lounge, which includes a bean bed with a great view, as well as an ice cream to enjoy during the film. You could also go for the GWM Gold Grass experience, which gives you express entry and allows you to order food and drink via QR code straight to your bean bed before the film starts.
Melbourne and Sydney can also enjoy the Platinum Experience, which gives you and a friend a deluxe double bean bag, with express entry, drinks on arrival, a cinema snack box and blankets. You can also order food and drink straight to your bean bed before the show via QR code.
How should I prepare?
If you’re not hiring a bean bag, you’re welcome to pack your own picnic rug and sprawl out across the lawn for a perfect night at the movies. You can also bring cushions or low chairs to stay comfy. If your chair is higher than 50cm, you will have to sit in a designated area.
Avoid any pesky bugs by wearing insect repellent, and bring a blanket or wear layers to keep you warm. Of course, you’re welcome to bring your own food and drink. Please note that BYO alcohol is not available in Brisbane.
Dogs are welcome to come along in all locations except for Perth.
Moonlight Cinema dates around Australia:
- Sydney – Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Parklands – November 25 to March 28
- Adelaide – Botanic Park – November 26 to February 14
- Melbourne – Central Lawn, Royal Botanic Gardens – December 2 to April 11
- Perth – May Drive Parkland, Kings Park – December 3 to March 28
- Brisbane – The Amphitheatre, Roma Street Parkland – December 4 to February 14
