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Open-air cinema

Grab the popcorn, a comfy cushion, and maybe a coat. We'll meet you at the cinema.

12/04/25

History of open-air cinema.

Open-air cinemas have been around for almost as long as standard cinemas themselves. In 1895, The Lumière brothers were the first to produce cinematographic motion pictures. Less than 20 years later, the first outdoor cinemas cropped up in Australia. Established in 1916, Australia’s Sun Pictures holds the accolade of the World’s Oldest Outdoor Picture Garden. The outdoor cinema was born, and the trend continued through the ages, with the drive-in cinema boom starting in the USA in the 1930s and subsequently being transported across the world.

In the last decade, open-air cinema has experienced something of a resurgence, and with London’s vast green spaces and history-filled locales, our great city has been leading the way. Between late spring and early autumn, open-air film screenings can be found in green spaces and outside historical buildings in almost every neighbourhood in London.

A growing trend.

A key reason for this comes down to technology. In the first instance, technological innovation means outdoor screens are higher tech with ever-improving picture quality, meaning changing factors such as sunlight have less impact on the audience’s viewing pleasure.

However, it’s also the prevalence of technology in our everyday lives that is making Londoners seek a sense of community when watching a film. Mobile phones, tablets, live streaming and internet television makes watching films an often insular experience in this day and age. Yet there’s nothing quite like watching a film with a crowd of people and becoming part of something together for a while.

people in outdoor chairs watching an open air cinema screen

Open-air cinema continues to go from strength-to-strength. Britain’s largest outdoor cinema provider, Luna Cinema, even says that ticket sales have trebled over the last years.

Here are some of our favourite open-air cinema locations in London.

Open House at BST festival in Hyde Park
Summer screenings at Somerset House
Luna Open Air Cinema in various locations across London including nearby Kensington Palace

If you like a secret location, keep your eye on The Secret Cinema, who bring immersive cinematic experiences to life across the city.

Feeling peckish? Order one of our picnic hampers at The Athenaeum Hotel for some indulgent treats perfect to enjoy al fresco. Soak up the feeling of being in the great outdoors in the heart of London!

open air cinema screen with box of popcorn, cushions on a rug

Open-air cinema

History of open-air cinema.

A growing trend.

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