Outdoor movie nights are returning to five Australian cities, and the first film on the program is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Moonlight Cinema’s Summer 2026/27 season begins on 25 November 2026, with all five locations open by 4 December, giving audiences the chance to catch the latest Hunger Games film outdoors while it is still showing in cinemas. Tickets for the November and December program are on sale now via the Moonlight Cinema website.
The season runs until 11 April 2027 at Centennial Park (Sydney), the Royal Botanic Gardens (Melbourne), Kings Park and Botanic Garden (Perth), Botanic Park (Adelaide) and Roma Street Parkland (Brisbane). Moonlight Cinema has been going for over 30 years and it’s not uncommon for people to turn up well before the film starts after sunset to set up on their picnic rugs or bean bags.
The early weeks of the season see a number of new releases. Verity (a psychological thriller based on Colleen Hoover’s bestseller) features Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett and is aimed at the fans of The Housemaid. There’s a new adaptation of Sense and Sensibility with Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor and Esmé Creed-Miles as Marianne, the screenplay being by Diana Reid (Australian author). The programme also includes The Social Reckoning, Wicker and Wild Horse 9. Two preview screenings are in the pipeline: A Talent for Murder with Helen Mirren on 6th December and Cat in the Hat on 30th December.
From 11th to 23rd December, Christmas Favourites features the festive films Love Actually, The Polar Express and Home Alone. They are joined by the new release Ebenezer, a ghost story set in Dickens’ London with Johnny Depp as Scrooge. With the school holidays starting, Disney’s Hexed is on Boxing Day.
John Boero, General Manager of Entertainment Operations at EVT, described what a Moonlight Cinema evening is all about and said they’re looking forward to another season.
A night at Moonlight Cinema begins well before the movie. It starts with the journey to one of Australia’s most remarkable parklands, finding the perfect spot on the grass, relaxing with friends and family, sharing your favourite treats and watching the sun go down. Then, as night falls, it’s time to settle in for a great movie under the stars. Moonlight Cinema is all about memorable summer nights, and we’re excited to bring them back for another season.
Several ticket types are on offer including General Admission, Connoisseur Lounge and GWM Gold Grass. The Platinum Experience is also back in Sydney and Melbourne. This includes a shared deluxe double bean bed in a great viewing position, express entry and a drink on arrival. This season’s Platinum booking also includes a premium cinema snackbox and two blankets.
Moonlight Cinema runs from 25 November 2026 to 11 April 2027 in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth.d Perth.
