It’s official: London is home to one of the most beautiful outdoor cinemas in the world

Usually we think of cinemas as dark, silent sorts of spaces. When the lights go down it’s just you, your popcorn, and the film, but what if there was another, completely different way of experiencing the movies? We introduce: the outdoor cinema.

Okay, outdoor cinemas are nothing new. In fact, they’ve been around for decades, but given the weather in this country they remain a novelty when they pop up every summer. There’s loads of great outdoor movie screenings across London, but one in particular has just been named one of the most gorgeous open-air cinemas in the world by us at Time Out.

Our credentials? We know film – you can find our recent reviews here – and we know even more about what makes for a great night out. Our editors have ventured across the world, so they’re pretty qualified when it comes to anything travel related. They’ve specially curated a list of the planet’s most beautiful outdoor screens, and yes, they’ve visited them all first-hand.

London is one of only three UK entries on the list, but it’s only natural that there’s going to be more venues based outside in countries where it doesn’t rain nine months out of the year. In 15th place was the Rooftop Film Club in Peckham, which won’t surprise anyone who’s ever visited. Where else can you enjoy the sunset over London whilst you and 160 other cinephiles watch a classic movie together? In the words of Time Out’s film editor Phil de Semlyen, it’s ‘a CinemaScope-like experience’. 

The rooftop venue is blessed with a stunning view, but it’s also stocked up with deckchairs, blankets, snacks, and a brilliant summer programme that ranges from Twilight to Pulp Fiction to Inception to the Women’s Euros final. Talk about something for everyone. You can book a single deck chair or a loveseat for two, and you can even add popcorn onto your ticket to ensure you have a perfect evening. 

Top spot was awarded to WestPac OpenAir in Sydney, which is smack bang in the middle of the city’s harbour. We just can’t compete with the Sydney Opera House in the gorgeous Aussie weather over here, and we’re pretty okay with that. 

You can check out our full roundup of the most beautiful outdoor cinemas in the world here.

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