Sydneysiders don’t need many excuses to roll out a picnic rug, pop a bottle of pét-nat and spend a balmy evening under the stars – but this summer, Moonlight Cinema is making an especially solid case. Australia’s most well-established outdoor movie night is officially turning 30, and to celebrate, it’s handing the programming reins over to the people. Yep: for the first time ever, you get to help shape the season’s line-up.
Since its debut back in 1995 – opening with a now-iconic screening of Pulp Fiction – Moonlight Cinema has become a staple of the Sydney summer. More than five million people have sprawled across the lawns since then: first dates, proposals, celeb sightings, and countless delighted doggos who’ve come to expect their own bean bag and biscuit as standard.
This year, the beloved Belvedere Amphitheatre in Centennial Parklands will once again transform into one of the Harbour City’s most picturesque open-air theatres, with films running throughout the summer from Friday, November 21, 2025 to Sunday April 5, 2026. And while the November–December program is already on sale, the real thrill lies in The People’s Program – a nationwide vote to decide which nostalgic favourites will hit the big screen from January through March.
Voting is now open, with film choices including Shrek, Dirty Dancing, The Castle, Jurassic Park and more. Everyone who casts a vote gets 30 per cent off General Admission to People’s Program screenings – plus a shot at winning a Double Season Pass. Consider it Moonlight’s birthday gift to you (and to your future self, who will absolutely thank you for backing Shrek).
In Feb, things take a romantic turn, with a series of romantic movies dominating the program (including a special Valentines Day screening of the new Wuthering Heights). March will see a spectacular line-up of big new movies take over the screen, kicking off with the wild ride that is Marty Supreme (March 1), followed by screenings of The Housemaid, Hamnet and Charli XCX's The Moment. We're also in for some old faves on the March program, including Bend It Like Beckham, Shrek 2 and Zoolander.
As always, you’ll find a range of ticket options – from an entry level picnic rug style situation to a Gold Class set-up brought to life by Singapore Airlines (tickets include priority entry, bean bag seating and food and drinks delivered to your bed). BYO food and drink is allowed if you’re on a budget, but if you’re going all-out, you’ll find a good selection of stalls on site serving movie essentials (popcorn and wine) as well as more hearty snacks. The gates open 90 minutes before the movie starts, and movies generally start once the sun has set.
Tickets for November and December are on sale now via the Moonlight Cinema website, and you can cast your vote for the People’s Program over here.
