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Writer's pictureTom Morss

Outdoor Cinemas in London

It took a while, but summer has finally arrived! Why not use the long, bright and (usually) warm evenings to watch a film outside? Outdoor Cinema is something which seems to get bigger every year, and there are now loads of different options to choose from. Some companies now offer LED screens, which means you don’t have to wait until after dark to watch a family film. I’ve started with the free screenings and the ones which finish soon, and the paid ones come afterwards. If you find something else that you want to recommend, please feel free to add a comment underneath!


cinema outdoor


1. Outdoor screenings at Lower Marsh, Waterloo


For one day only (7th August), we are promised screenings of cult classic Napoleon Dynamite, kids classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Sci-Fi classic Back to the Future. Keep an eye on https://wearewaterloo.co.uk/ for updates. A whole day of outdoor films for free? What’s not to love about that!


The nearest station is Waterloo.


2. Screen on the Canal, Kings Cross


A cinema screen on a boat, floating in the canal! There are free screenings of contemporary and classic films throughout the summer, ending on the 18th of August, so there’s still time to see this weird and wonderful cinema setup! Go to https://www.kingscross.co.uk/event/screen-on-the-canal for full details. Each week, there’s a public vote and the winner is shown each Thursday, so if you really want to see something, get your friends to vote too


The nearest station is Kings Cross.


3. Barbican Outdoor Cinema


If you’re a bit of a culture vulture, you’ll already have discovered the Barbican, and if you’re in Camberwell you can’t miss the huge concrete towers. Some love them, some hate them. I think they are pretty cool. Anyway, between the 21st of August and the 1st of September they’ll be showing indie films like The Grand Budapest Hotel, Marie Antoinetter and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Tickets are £18 and you can find more information at https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2024/series/outdoor-cinema-2024


The nearest station is Barbican.


4. Movies on the River


So if watching a film by the canal wasn’t adventurous enough, how about watching a film on a boat as it floats down the Thames? For a short time only (August 14th-17th) you can snuggle up with your loved ones and watch a romantic film as you drift through central London. This year, they will be showing Notting HIll, Moonlight, La La Land and 10 Things I Hate About You. And… it’s free! The boat starts boarding at Tower MIllennium Pier at 7:30pm but make sure you’re there early to avoid disappointment.


The nearest station is Tower Hill


5. Rooftop Film Club


Top Banana of the outdoor cinema scene returns in 2024 to Roof East (Stratford) and the Bussey Building (Peckham) with a programme packed with crowd-pleasers, including Pulp Fiction, Jurassic Park, Fight Club, Barbie and Oppenheimer. RFC takes place alongside established food vendors and bars, so you won’t go hungry or thirsty! If you want to take your family along, head to Peckham as they have an LED screen which is more suitable for watching PG films during the day. Check https://rooftopfilmclub.com/ for more details.


The nearest station for Roof East is Stratford. The nearest station for the Bussey Building is Peckham Rye.

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