Summer is here, and we're more than ready to leave the safety of our couch and Netflix queue behind. We're going out into the balmier evenings to watch films in totally new, weird and wonderful locations. From lidos to boats, drive-ins to palaces, we've found the best places to snuggle up with a great movie and a bucket of popcorn this summer.
Click through to see our picks.
Rooftop Film Club
Rooftop Film Club does exactly what it says on the tin, showing iconic films on a selection of London's finest rooftops. Grab a deckchair, plug in your wireless headphones and check out both the spectacular view of the capital and the movie.
If you're a film buff you'll already know about this year's unmissable Rooftop Film Club events. Including Refinery29's very first IRL Friday Film Club screening of Lost In Translation later this week! Rooftop Film Club will also be the first rooftop cinema in the world to screen a 3D film, kicking off with Gravity.
Rooftop Film Club
Locations Across London
Moonlight Cinema
If you've ever dreamed of going steady with Danny Zuko (let's be honest, who hasn't), your 1950s fantasy may be about to come true. Drive-in cinemas are back, and this time they're in Kent! Choose your movie, drive up to the screen, tune your car radio to their frequency and your wheels will become a private movie palace. From where you can order hot dogs, burgers and nachos, by the way. Grab your bobby socks and leather jacket, we'll see you at the drive-in, daddy-o.
Moonlight Cinema
The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6PY
03330 064608
Nomad Cinema @ Grosvenor Film Festival
Over the past seven years, Nomad has built a reputation as possibly London's finest pop-up cinema. Not only are you guaranteed a great film but also activities, goodie bags and, most importantly, some of the most iconic locations in the capital. This summer's programme lives up to expectations, especially Nomad's collaboration with Grosvenor Film Festival. From 3rd-23rd July, the historic square will play host to current hits, classic films and even kids' screenings, and will be decked out to match the theme of each film. The ticket price includes a drink to get you in the mood – if that's not enough to get you to the box office, all profits from the festival are being donated to The Sustainability Institute in South Africa. Kick back and give back, all at the same time.
Nomad Cinema
Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London W1K
Backyard Cinema
What started as a homemade movie screen and a few beanbags in the founder's back garden has grown into one of London's best alternative cinemas. Backyard Cinema has set up shop everywhere from markets to churches, staging immersive movie experiences as well as straight-up screenings. Until the end of May you can see a series of Tarantino classics, and Tarantino-inspired favourites, at the 'Last Chapel' location in Elephant & Castle.
Backyard Cinema
Locations across London
Luna Cinema
The crème de la crème of travelling outdoor screens, Luna Cinema has aimed a projector at some of the most iconic buildings in Britain. From Westminster Abbey to Blenheim Palace to the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, they're adept at turning great architecture into the perfect cinema setting, and this year's programme is no exception. Choose from Jaws at Brockwell Lido, Pride & Prejudice at Chatsworth House, the original location for the film, or, if you're a Harry Potter fan, vote for which film in the series you want to watch at the magnificent Alnwick Castle (aka Hogwarts). They'll even be taking over the most quintessentially British venue possible, Ascot Racecourse. Get your tickets while you can!
Luna Cinema
Locations across the UK
The Rex
The Rex is a cinema like no other – at least, no other this century. The Rex opened in 1938 and, after a few decades as a bingo hall and having survived several demolition orders, today shows films in the glamorous style of pre-war Britain. Here you can sink into a plush velvet chair and watch the latest and greatest films on a gold filigree screen while sipping on a cold glass of wine. If you're a vintage lover, or just want to experience a cinema without the popcorn and hot dogs (seriously), this is the place for you.
The Rex
High St, Berkhamsted HP4 2FG
01442 877759
Film4 Summer Screen
For most of the year, Somerset House is (just) one of the greatest art institutions in London, but every summer it also becomes one of the capital's prettiest cinemas. In collaboration with Film4, the central courtyard is transformed into a screening space, neoclassical facade and all. Arrive early in the evening with a picnic (or grab a bite from one of the many food stalls) and catch a film-inspired DJ set. Then once the sun goes down, settle in for an evening of great cinema under the stars.
Film4 Summer Screen
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
020 7845 4600
Secret Cinema
For the last decade, Secret Cinema has been at the very top of the immersive cinema game. They've donned purple lobby boy outfits and welcomed guests to their very own version of Wes Anderson's Grand Budapest Hotel. They've set up a prison break, complete with barbed wire, prison uniforms and guards for a special screening of The Shawshank Redemption. They even staged a full zombie apocalypse as a prelude to a screening of 28 Days Later. At Secret Cinema, you don't just see the films, you live them.
Secret Cinema
Locations across the UK
Lost Format Society
Croydon, for so long an up-and-coming hipster hotspot, has definitely up and come. It has its own Boxpark, a vintage video games arcade and now a rooftop cinema on top of a former car park. Lost Format Society's summer 2017 programme spans Charlie Chaplin classics, Wes Anderson arthouse favourites and blockbusters like La La Land. Before and after the film you can chill out on the heated, covered terrace and chow down on some freshly grilled grub.
Lost Format Society
Top Deck Centrale Car Park, Centrale Shopping Centre, Tamworth Road, Croydon CR0 1XW
The Vintage Mobile Cinema
The Vintage Mobile Cinema is not exactly a multiplex – it only has one projector, two seats to a row and no popcorn machine. What it does have, however, is an engine, four wheels, and a gearbox. Did we mention it's a vintage 1960s moving cinema which was specially made by the government? Did we also mention that the car part of it is called Audrey? Amazing. You can find Audrey touring the country this summer showing a variety of short and feature-length films. Don't forget to say hello.
The Vintage Mobile Cinema
Locations across the UK
Town Hall Classics
East End landmark The Town Hall Hotel was, before its transformation into luxury accommodation, one of the most sought-after film sets in London. This summer, it screens three of the films produced inside its walls – Atonement, Snatch, and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels – in its perfectly preserved 1930s council chamber. If you feel like going full East End, you can watch Guy Ritchie's greatest work with a pie and jellied eel from the iconic F. Cooke or, if you're up for something a little more refined, you can sip on an afternoon tea-inspired cocktail while watching Atonement. Either way, you'll get to watch some of the best British films in an utterly British location.
Town Hall Classics
Town Hall Hotel & Apartments, 8 Patriot Square, London E2 9NF
020 7871 0460
Brighton's Big Screen
This is officially Britain's best (possibly only) place to watch a film beside the seaside. Set up right on the beach, next to Brighton's famous pier, this giant screen shows everything from blockbusters and classic films to live sporting events. For just £3 you can claim your very own patch of pebbles or, if you're feeling fancy, splash out on a double bed complete with pillows and duvet, and snuggle up under the stars.
Brighton's Big Screen
Brighton Beach, 4 Madeira Dr, Brighton BN2 1ET
Movies On The River
The latest breakthrough in outdoor cinema, Movies on the River is turning the Thames into our newest, rather wet, cinema venue. A collaboration between Time Out and City Cruises, every night a cruiser will set sail from Tower Pier and glide past the most iconic riverside landmarks. Once the sun sets, the screening will begin and guests can take a seat under the stars to enjoy both a great movie and London's skyline. With the likes of Clueless and Dirty Dancing on the bill, you might just be able to keep your eyes on the screen.
Movies On The River
Tower Millennium Pier, Lower Thames St. London, EC3N 4DT
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