Melbourne Is Getting a Drive-In Rooftop Cinema

Drive-in meets rooftop at Melbourne's newest outdoor cinema, opening in Dockland's Harbour Town precinct on Boxing Day. The latest addition to the seemingly endless list of open-air screens around town (not that we're complaining, mind you), punters at The Backlot Rooftop Drive-In will enjoy new release films and 360-degree views of the city without ever having to get out of their car.

Operated by the same team behind Backlot Studios, a private cinema and event space in Southbank, this modern-day drive-in will boast two separate screens, with each lot able to accommodate up to 65 vehicles. Tickets start at $50 per car — so depending on how many mates you can squish into the backseat and/or boot, this could prove to be a bit of a bargain.  There'll also be a separate 'blue-deck' seating area, for movie-lovers who don't own their own car. Tickets for this section will be sold at $15 per head.

The Backlot Rooftop is yet to reveal which movies they'll be showing, although we reckon you can expect blockbusters and plenty of them. Star Wars under the stars, for example, feels like it's probably a given.

There'll also be pop-up takeaway stalls on site, as well as a candy bar stocked with all the usual suspects including choc tops and freshly popped popcorn.

Speaking to The Age, co-founder Tony Ianiro confirmed that the cinema would operate "seven days a week, all-year round," and said they were also scoping out potential sites in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Look for The Backlot Rooftop Drive-In at 90 Waterfront Way from December 26. For more information, and the full program once it drops, visit www.backlotrooftop.com.au.