Where to find outdoor cinemas in London this summer

Cosy up in front of the big screen at outdoor cinemas in London this summer, as they pop up at cool rooftop locations and in historic estates and parklands around the capital

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (26 Jun & 18 Sep)

© The Luna Cinema at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Set in spectacular surroundings of a Royal Park, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is one of London’s largest theatres and celebrates its 90th anniversary this summer. Enjoy a night of cinema like no other, as you watch a blockbuster movie on the giant screen with the picturesque tree line as a backdrop. Luke Skywalker and Han Solo will save the day when Star Wars: A New Hope comes to the screen (26 Jun at 9.15pm), while the 2021 adaptation of the 1957 musical, West Side Story will be screened as summer draws to a close (18 Sep at 7.15pm). Book now.

Barbican Outdoor Cinema (23-28 Aug)

For one week only, the outdoor cinema will return to the Barbican Centre, bringing arthouse-style films, anime classics and even a screening of Pink Floyd in Pompeii. Sit amongst the brutalist architecture while watching Pina Bausch’s unique choreography in Wim Wenders’ Pina. Dive into a curated selection of films exploring our relationship with water through contemporary artists and filmmakers, including Susan Schuppli, Anne Duk Hee Jordan, Tabita Rezaire and more. Find out more.

Floating Film Festival, St Katharine Docks (12-24 Jul)

Floating Film Festival at St Katharine Docks

Go waterside at St Katharine Docks, just moments away from the Tower of London. The two-week Floating Film Festival returns in July, so grab a deckchair on the floating pontoon and settle in for an evening of unique entertainment. Tap your feet along to Mamma Mia! (13 Jul), Disney’s Encanto (16 Jul) and the 2021 adaptation of the musical masterpiece West Side Story (17 & 23 Jul). Fans of Marvel won’t want to miss the screenings of Spider-Man: No Way Home (16 & 22 Jul), while Pretty Woman (21 Jul) will provide old-school romance. Check online for the full list of screenings, dates and times.

Old Royal Naval College (7-10 Jul)

Watch Moulin Rouge at Old Royal Naval College (8 Jul 2022)

The Old Royal Naval College is an extraordinary cultural destination in the heart of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether you’re looking for a classic feel-good film such as West Side Story (9 Jul) or want to see one of the new award winners such as No Time to Die (7 Jul) on the big screen for the first time, there is a film for you this summer. Book now.

Stratford and Peckham

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If parklands and pontoons aren’t you’re thing, how about a rooftop cinema experience? At Roof East in Stratford and Peckham’s Bussey Building, Rooftop Film Club is hosting a summer of screenings. Whether you want to see old-school classics such as Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You and Pan’s Labyrinth, or modern movies including Rocketman, Django Unchained and brand-new blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick, there’s something for everyone. Find a screening now.

Westminster Abbey

Setting of the coronations and Royal Weddings, and one of the defining icons of the London landscape with 800 years of history will be the setting for an open air cinema in July. Choose from Labyrinth (27 Jul), William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet (28 Jul), Westside Story (29 Jul), Dirty Dancing (30 Jul) and Bohemian Rhapsody (31 Jul). Find out more.

Kew the Movies (31 Aug-4 Sep)

Kew the Movies returns this August (31 Aug – 4 Sept)

Soak up the last of the summer holidays with five days of al fresco cinema magic. Families and movie fans of all ages will enjoy the programme, presented in high definition on the big screen in the magical setting of Kew Gardens. Critically acclaimed sci-fi adventure Dune and Bond’s latest outing No Time to Die will be shown. Younger viewers will love Moana, Sing 2 and this year’s musical phenomenon Encanto. Find out more.

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